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Penn State Football: Position grades versus Illinois 2018

By Dylan Burd

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reaches for the tackle during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Tony Adams #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini makes the tackle during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball as Tony Adams #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini makes the tackle during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

The wide receivers/tight ends unit has been sub par this entire season, but there was certain improvement in Friday night’s game vs. Illinois. As stated before, Penn State football didn’t focus much on the passing game in this one, as the running game was working so well, but for limited action, the wide receivers and tight ends looked good.

For the wide receivers, Juwan Johnson had his best game of the season, catching four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. K.J Hamler continued his dominance as he had two receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. DeAndre Thompkins didn’t contribute much, as he had two receptions for 10 yards.

The tight ends look to be playing a lot better, as Jonathan Holland led the Nittany Lions in receiving with 53 yards on three receptions. Unfortunately, he did fumble on the first drive of the game, something that can’t happen against good teams. Freshman Pat Freiermuth caught a five-yard touchdown on his only catch of the night.

Overall, this unit has improved since week one, as the drops have seemed to decrease a bit. Be prepared for Penn State football to utilize the speed of Deirdre Thompkins and K.J Hamler on Saturday, as Ohio State’s secondary has struggled thus far in 2018.

Grade: B

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