Penn State vs. Pitt Position Grades

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Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) can not come up with a catch on a pass against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Terrish Webb (2) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

The receivers had a pretty good day overall, with McSorley spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. This was despite missing Saeed Blacknall for unspecified reasons.

DaeSean Hamilton led the team with eight receptions for 82 yards. The one that got away is the one remembered. Late in the fourth quarter, Hamilton got behind the Pitt defense and had two steps on the defender. However, he couldn’t hang on to a well-thrown ball. At worst that’s a first down deep in Pitt territory, but it could have been the go-ahead score.

Chris Godwin had an usually quiet game and appeared to get banged up on a few plays, but still hauled in 4 catches for 36 yards. DeAndre Thompkins had 3 catches for 87 yards, including a fantastic one-handed grab in the second half that led to a Nittany Lion touchdown. Penn State’s last drive was kept alive by a Thompkins catch on fourth and 16.

Finally, tight end Mike Gesicki had four catches for 47 yards. It has been a very impressive year from Gesicki thus far after struggling for much of last year.

Grade: B

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