Penn State Football: Game Grades for the Victory Over UCF

Aug 30, 2014; Dublin, IRL; Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker

(97) kicks a 37 yard field goal to defeat the Central Florida Knights at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams –

Other than the 68 yard return allowed to Jordan Akins, Penn State’s special teams coverage looked better than it had in the past.

The punting unit was only brought onto the field once. New punter Chris Gulla kicked a 41 yarder that bounced into the end zone for a touchback.

Grant Haley looked strong returning kicks for the Nittany Lions, breaking one off for 44 yards. Penn State has struggled picking up big yards on kickoffs in recent years, but Haley looks like he could be explosive.

The real story of special teams, however, was the hero of the game, Sam Ficken. Ficken drained all four of his field goal tries, including his game-winning 36-yarder as time expired.

If Ficken is locked in like he was yesterday, the Nittany Lions will be in good shape.

Grade A-