Penn State Football: Lions Position Grades versus Iowa
Receivers / Tight Ends
Barkley led all receivers and tight ends in catches and yards but don’t sell this group short. Juwan Johnson finally broke out for a huge game. He caught seven passes for 92 yards and the game winner. After catching just two passes a year ago, he’s made himself the top target on this offense.
Outside of a brilliant night from Johnson, things didn’t go well. Dropped passes and an inability to get open hurt this group. As a unit, four players combined for seven receptions for 66 yards. A player many failed to credit out of that group was senior Saeed Blacknall. His six-yard snag near midfield to convert a fourth down was huge.
As far as tight ends go, Mike Gesicki was held in check for most of the night as well. He caught five passes but only for 25 yards, so it wasn’t the best day.
But to be fair, like I was to McSorley, this unit stepped up in the clutch. If Johnson didn’t have a career night then Penn State’s shot at a national title would’ve ended in Kinnick Stadium.