The heat seems to be heavily on three key figures in regards to Penn State’s offensive woes: head coach James Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and quarterback Drew Allar.
Although these are the three that are the most visible to Penn State’s offensive woes, Franklin believes there’s more than meets the eye.
“It’s all across the board on offense,” he said “I think you see flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. I think we continue to do good in terms of Drew when it comes to decision making.”
With the passing game at times in famine, here are three things Franklin and Kotelnicki could use to kick start their vertical attack:
#1 Allow Devonte Ross To Be Explosive
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
When the news came that Ross was coming to Penn State from the transfer portal, many marveled at how much of a game changer he was for Troy on the perimeter – citing the Iowa game as an example.
Ross has battled back from preseason injuries and finally made his first major impact against Oregon.
Ross finished with four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns, which looks even better without a reception of -8 yards in the first quarter that he should have let go incomplete on a failed tunnel screen attempt.
The other three receptions, Ross averaged nearly 19 yards per catch including the highlight 35-yard touchdown reception.
It’s time to for Andy Kotelnicki to release Ross and stretch defenses.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.#2 Trebor Pena Needs to Operate Out of the Slot
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Penn State hasn’t had an elite slot receiver since Jahan Dotson in 2021. It has one now with the Syracuse transfer Pena.
Pena is a known wizard in the slot, leading all ACC wide receivers last season with 84 receptions, where he had great chemistry with former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord.
Although Pena is getting the targets, currently second on the team with 22– how he’s being utilized is still a bit head-scratching.
Last season, Syracuse used Pena in the slot on 79.3% of his snaps.
This season, Pena has only been in the slot on 58.3% of his snaps.
To me, this is Andy Kotelnicki misusing a top-end slot receiver
#3 Allar’s Safety Valve Has To Be Luke Reynolds
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During Allar’s first two seasons as a starter, tight ends Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson were two of his Top 5 targets. Last season, 39.8% of Penn State’s passes were targeted to the tight end, so far in 2025 only 29.6%.
Allar is in synergy with the tight end and that is how the passing game goes for Penn State.
In Penn State’s last two losses, the deciding passes from each of those games were the primary target was the tight end: Warren in the Orange Bowl, Reynolds against Oregon.
Reynolds, a former five-star and in his first season as starting, is third on the team in targets (20) and tied for second with receptions (14).
He to become the official target of high-percentage passes.
The passing game wasn’t effective against Oregon because Allar and Reynolds weren’t in sync. They only connected on a single pass on six targets.
That connection will continue to dictate how the passing game will go this season.
No. 7 Penn State takes on UCLA in Pasadena this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
