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Penn State Football: Week 4 Studs and Duds against Illinois

By Corey Hunter

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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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Penn State fans take in the game during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Penn State fans take in the game during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Kicker – Rafael Checa

Rafael Checa, true freshman kicker from Chevy Chase, MD, has been handling the kickoff duties since the start of the season.  Anyone who has watched his kickoffs can see that he has a powerful leg. He was ranked No. 2 by Kornblue Kicking.

Through four games, Checa has kicked off 34 times with 15 touchbacks.  However, it is his three out-of-bounds kicks that have Penn State coaches a little worried.

Twice, following Nittany Lion touchdowns Friday night, Checa booted the ensuing kickoff well out-of-bounds allowing the Illini to begin at their own 35-yard line.  Since a touchback or a fair catch inside the twenty yard line results in the ball being placed at the 25-yard line, the extra ten yards for a kick out of bounds can really give a lift to a team that may be reeling from being scored upon.

Couple that with Penn State’s difficulty in stopping the run, and all it takes is a couple of plays before the opponent is in Nittany Lions territory.  Giving a team like Ohio State a short field will likely lead to disaster. Coach Franklin even mentioned the need to clean up that part of the game in the postgame presser.

Checa, along with his placekicking compatriot Jake Pinegar, are both true freshman.  They certainly have room to grow and improve, and the only way they will make those adjustments is by getting game reps.  Still, the Nittany Lions hope that his maturation on the field comes sooner rather than later.

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