Chase Sowell is the type of receiver Penn State has lacked in big games over the past four years.
It took the senior Iowa State transfer a few weeks to find his footing, but Sowell has been a spark plug for an overall underachieving offense.
His impact for the program has been felt on and off the field.
Late in the fourth quarter, Washington linebacker Jacob Manu struck quarterback Rocco Becht with a late hit. It didn’t sit well with Sowell.
The PSU receiver defended Becht and went back at Manu, defending his quarterback. The play was reviewed for targeting and assessed a 15-yard penalty. Manu was ejected.
Sowell was also penalized with an unsportsmanlike penalty, but head coach Matt Campbell believes Sowell sticking up for Becht sent a message.
“I’ll be honest with you, I feel like that was a little bit of a spark for this football team that said, listen, we’re not going to take it,” Campbell said on his weekly radio show Tuesday.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Sowell dominated Washington’s secondary and recorded his third consecutive game with 95 or more receiving yards.
He totaled four grabs for 125 yards and a touchdown, including an impressive one-handed grab early in the second half.
This followed an 11-catch, 151-yard, one-touchdown performance against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Over his last four games, Sowell posted 24 catches for 439 yards and three touchdowns. His impact in Big Ten play has been significant after eight catches combined in non-conference play.
Sowell’s actions and impact are important for Campbell and his staff to establish a culture at Penn State, especially when it’s player driven.
He also gives the wide receiver room a big-play element its lacked for plenty of years in Happy Valley.
