Last year included a new coach, an up and down season, and an exhilarating overtime victory against Boston College in New York to cap it all off for the Penn State football team. This season, the Penn State Nittany Lions look to start spring off on the right foot and fix all of the problems that plagued them during the conference stretch of games. Five players left for the NFL including OT Donovan Smith and PK Sam Ficken, and all leave behind large holes that will have to be filled.
Here’s a look at April 18th’s Blue and White Game:
What to Watch For
After a season of chess with offensive lineman, James Franklin is probably hoping that this year’s O-line works well. Franklin’s wish to dominate the state benefitted the squad a lot by grabbing junior college and coveted prospect Paris Palmer from Lackawanna College, and by snatching a tackle in Sterling Jenkins from the grasp of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Both are early enrollees, and don’t be surprised to see an experienced Palmer in the lineup.
While it’s certain that Christian Hackenberg will be quarterback for the season, who’s next in line? This game might help decide that. Recruit Tommy Stevens and redshirt freshman Trace McSorley have both shown dual-threat capabilities that Hackenberg doesn’t have, and while McSorley will likely remain that number two spot, it’ll be interesting to see if Stevens can take over.
Top two wideouts for PSU are secured in DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis, both being very experienced and talented, but who takes over at slot? Watch for DeAndre Thompkins, one of the fastest players on the team, to have a big game. Thompkins took a redshirt year to refine his catching abilities and will likely take over at punt and kick returner for the season. His speed could show as a huge improvement to a team that needs it, but whether his catching skills are better or not will decide his position.
Sam Ficken went from goat to hero for the Nittany Lions and now is eyeing a NFL career. Unfortunately, Ficken leaves behind a big hole to be filled. Redshirt freshman Joey Julius has shown the ability to kick under pressure and from long distance, and is likely to be the starter for the entire season. The punting game will be key for the Lions as they showed cracks in their game last year with Gulla and Pasquariello. While the Aussie Pasquariello will likely takeover, it’ll be important to see if Gulla can catch up.
This year’s Blue and White Game will be televised on the Big Ten Network(Comcast Ch. 55) at 4 PM on April 18. As like every spring, Beaver Stadium will be open for anyone to come in and watch as fans get a preview of what could come in fall.