Penn State Football: What to expect from passing game early

The first few games for Penn State football’s passing game should go efficiently. Despite losing a few key receivers, Trace McSorley is set for a big year.

Quarterback Trace McSorley‘s growth as a passer was evident throughout his junior year. After a slow, and at-times inaccurate start, he found chemistry with his new receivers. The team graduated a few more big-time playmakers, but the Penn State football signal caller looked solid in the spring game. He delivered short to intermediate strikes, calming everyone’s doubts about the new receivers. His final stat line: 10-of-14, 107 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions.

For the first few weeks of the season, fans can expect more of the same but even a better deep ball presence. Last year, the offense struggled to replace Chris Godwin until DaeSean Hamilton became the speedy, deep ball weapon. Although Hamilton is gone, the big-bodied Juwan Johnson (6-foot-4, 231 pounds) can help stretch the field a bit and go after a pass that might be a tad off target.

Last year, he didn’t get to make a big impact in the red zone with just one touchdown on 54 receptions and 701 yards. But, McSorley will definitely use him more without Hamilton and red zone high-flyer Mike Gesicki in the NFL.

Johnson won’t be the only deep threat on the roster. DeAndre Thompkins proved he can blow the top off the coverage too and create space in the short passing game. Thompkins, Brandon Polk and Mac Hippenhammer all stand 5-foot-11 or shorter. They’ll help McSorley’s options underneath even more.

Last year, McSorley found a solid balance and use of the route tree. It wasn’t home run or bust with the deep ball like he used in his sophomore campaign. The then-junior QB found a lot of targets, spreading at least 50-plus completions to four different receivers.

For a guy that upped his completion percentage from 57.9 to 66.5 in one year, he could raise it to 70 or higher in his final year. The offense has speed across the board. It’ll open up passing lanes in three and four-wide receiver sets. Furthermore, running backs Miles Sanders and Mark Allen are used to catching passes underneath.

The best illustration of what this offense can do was the Fiesta Bowl. McSorley routinely took what the defense gave him, helping the Nittany Lions to 545 total yards and a 35-28 victory over Washington.

McSorley went through the complete array of options. He hit the long ball a few times, while also methodically moving the ball down the field with short strikes and dump-offs to the running backs (Video Courtesy of Cut Up Corner).

Penn State football will have multiple players to throw to this year. From a deep receiving corp and running back depth, the passing offense has a chance for its biggest season yet.