Penn State Football: Week 1 studs and duds against Appalachian State

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver Juwan Johnson

Perhaps it’s unfair to include Johnson on the “Duds” list. After all, he did lead the Nittany Lions with six receptions and was a one yard shy of leading the team in receiving yards. However, following in the footsteps of receiving legends Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, and DaeSean Hamilton, more is needed from Johnson, who is expected to be the next heir apparent.

Johnson was a favorite target of McSorley’s on Saturday, and many times the junior wideout would come up with the catch, but he also had quite a few uncontested drops and he seemed to have trouble gaining separation from the defender on deep routes.

In fact, of Johnson’s six receptions, his longest gain went for 17 yards.

Against Pittsburgh next weekend, Johnson will likely get the chance to stare down one of college football’s premier cornerbacks in Damar Hamlin. The skills are certainly there for Johnson, but he needs to be a more consistent threat on the outside for Penn State.

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