The best of Penn State football to come: How true freshmen and backups led Lions late

Penn State football gave a critical glimpse to its future in the lopsided victory at Purdue.

But not without an unfortunate setback.

The Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) built such an overwhelming lead Saturday that they pulled most of their starters before the end of the third quarter.

That gave several up-and-coming, young players important work for a second straight week — to help bolster depth in preparing for the final regular season games and potential playoff games to come. They put the finishing touches on Penn State’s 49-10 victory that keeps it in line for a top spot in next month’s College Football Playoff.

The Lions got promising efforts from multiple backups on offense (quarterback Beau Pribula, running back Corey Smith, tight end Luke Reynolds, receiver/returner Tyseer Denmark) and on defense (cornerbacks Audavion Collins, Kenneth Wosely, Antonie Belgrave-Shorter, rush-end Jaylen Harvey and linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson and Anthony Speca).

Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter (23) and Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Cam Miller (5) defend the pass intended for Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver CJ Smith (9) Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Penn State Nittany Lions won 49-10.

Collins was second on the team with four tackles and nearly intercepted a pass on a great coverage play just before halftime. True freshmen Woseley and Belgrave-Shorter each had three tackles in relief.

Reynolds, another first-year player, had three catches while subbing for tight ends Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins. That included a 24-yard touchdown, his first in college.

The disappointment?

Penn State football: Beau Pribula shines, Jaylen Harvey injured

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Jaylen Harvey (44) tackles Purdue Boilermakers running…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/best-penn-state-football-come-100935926.html

Author : York Daily Record

Publish date : 2024-11-17 10:09:35

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