Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions open year by blanking Akron

Penn State football flexed its muscle in Week 1 at home against Akron

While we’re in the middle of the doldrums that is winter, there’s no better time to take a look back at warmer days and some exciting action. Over the next weeks, VBR will be reviewing each of Penn State’s football games from the 2017 season.

Up first, we’ll revisit the dominating opening victory over the Akron Zips.

There were high expectations for the Nittany Lions heading into the 2017 season after winning the Big Ten in 2016. With a loaded roster, including several key starters from the previous year, head coach James Franklin and his squad were considered one of the top teams in the conference.

Penn State started things off with a non-conference matchup with visiting Akron. The Nittany Lions were huge favorites heading into the game, and they ended up dominating as expected. By the time the game was over, Penn State had opened its season with a convincing 52-0 win over the Zips.

The potent Penn State offense wasted no time getting going and racked up 35 first-half points. The first score of the game came on a 61-yard punt return by DeAndre Thompkins. That was followed by two touchdowns from quarterback Trace McSorley — one passing and one rushing.

The story of the first half was Penn State’s top Heisman Trophy hopeful, running back Saquon Barkley. The junior runner scored twice in the second quarter, including a nice 30-yard scamper. His day ended early due to the rout, but he was still able to rack up 172 yards on the ground and 54 as a receiver.

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McSorley finished with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns and also added 48 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Wide receiver Juwan Johnson, who was one of the guys tabbed to replace the production of Chris Godwin, started his 2017 season with four receptions for a team-high 84 yards. Tight end Mike Gesicki showed that he would be a very valuable piece of the offense by making six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns.

While the offense received most of the attention heading into the season, the defense showed its teeth against the Zips. Aside from failing to score a single point, Akron was limited to just 159 total yards and 12 first downs.

Backup defensive players Tyrell Chavis and Jarvis Miller made a team-high five tackle. Miller also added a sack.

The victory over the Zips was about the best way Penn State could have imagined to start the season. The offense looked as good as advertised, and Brent Pry’s defense appeared ready to surprise many as a dominant unit.

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