As Penn State prepares to play Oregon this week in one of the most anticipated games in program history, let’s reflect on where Penn State is so far at the quarter pole of the season.
#1 Drew Allar’s Consecutive Poor Performances
If you subscribe to Pro Football Focus, then Allar’s performances against FIU (60.2 Offensive Grade) and Villanova (62.8) should sound the siren.
Prior to this season, the worst assessment Allar had against non-conference Group of 5 competition in the regular season was against UMass in 2023 with a 81.5 grade.
Take also into account the mixed signals from coach James Franklin.
He’s wanting Allar to not overthink and just play the game.
Conversely, the eye test seeing what an Andy Kotelnicki offense did a year ago versus what we’ve seen through the first three games screams something is being held back or we are seeing something vanilla, maybe too vanilla.
If I had to channel my inner Marshall Mathers, “Will the real Drew Allar and Penn State offense please show up?”
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Nick Singleton
#2 More Than Singular Concerns With Singleton
Although Nick Singleton is on a 10-game touchdown streak, he has yet to produce to the same level as in previous seasons.
It isn’t because he hasn’t had opportunities.
Singleton has 41 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry in three games this season.
Last season, Singleton had 37 carries through three games, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Singleton has made a few bad reads in selecting a rushing lane to hit. The elite afterburner Singleton possesses has yet to ignite in 2025 but Oregon allowed Singleton to average over a first down per rush (10.5 yards per carry) in the Big Ten Championship Game last year.
#3 Reynolds Wrapping Up TE1
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.While Khalil Dinkins will be an invaluable piece at tight end, especially his ability to set the edge, Luke Reynolds has simply emerged as a more complete player all around, especially offensively.
Reynolds offensive grades are more than doubled Dinkins by PFF (76.3 to 37.6), and Reynolds blocking grades are competitive to Dinkins.
If anything Allar has shown us in his three seasons at quarterback is he tends to favor the tight end over any other position.
Reynolds (13) is one reception short of wide receiver Kyron Hudson’s lead for pass catchers.
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
#4 Defensive Freshman Phenoms Filling Vital Gaps
One of the things Franklin stressed throughout the preseason was establishing the two-deep, battles happening between the two’s and three’s, and establishing talent.
Franklin and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles have to be pleased with how the true freshmen are pushing to be green lit by Franklin.
Two defenders, cornerback Daryus Dixson and defensive end Chaz Coleman, have already been green lit by Franklin.
Another whose light is at or near green is linebacker Alex Tatsch, who has impressed his position coach, Knowles, and even Franklin.
Tatsch got his first chunk of experience against Villanova with 21 snaps making three tackles.
Knowles expects Tatsch to get his green light soon.
Other freshmen you need to know are defensive end Yvan Kemajou, who had the third most snaps against Villanova behind Coleman and Dani Dennis-Sutton, and corner Jahmir Joseph who was the first true freshman since Grant Haley (2014) to have a pick-six in a game.
With LaVar Arrington II in the wings, it just screams the future is promising with this young core of defenders.
#5 Nwosu Might Beat Thompson Twice This Season
I have the firm belief that the most overlooked position on any football team is the punter.
A punter comes to the forefront on either pressure situations like punting from within their own end zone, in a defensive duel where field position leverage is key or when they simply make a mistake.
Franklin made some waves when he announced Gabe Nwosu unseated Riley Thompson as the starting punter.
According to Franklin, Nwosu had better placement of the ball, especially in coffin cornering situations, and overall leg talent.
Currently, Nwosu is averaging 48.6 yards per punt, which would break Thompson’s single season school record of 45.3 yards per punt he set in 2023.
If that were to happen, 2025 might be a forgettable one for Thompson.
