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Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Idaho

By Dylan Burd

STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Pat Freiermuth #87 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts to fight a tackle against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Pat Freiermuth #87 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts to fight a tackle against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Last year was a rough year for the wide receivers as they were amongst the top of all teams in the nation in drops. Looking to turn over a new leaf this year, the wide receivers got off to a solid start to the season Saturday — especially redshirt sophomore KJ Hamler, who caught four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Justin Shorter also chipped into the effort with three receptions for 36 yards. He also had a key block that played a crucial role in Devyn Ford’s 81-yard touchdown.

The depth of the wide receivers was also on display yesterday as redshirt freshman Daniel George had two receptions for 28 yards, and grad transfer wide receiver from Division II Azusa Pacific University Weston Carr had three receptions for 27 yards.

Sophomore wide receiver Jahan Dotson had a catch for 13 yards, and redshirt sophomore Cam Sullivan-Brown had two receptions for 13 years. Walk-on wide receiver Justin Weller had a catch for 10 yards.

In terms of the tight ends, Pat Freiermuth had a catch for 25 yards, and redshirt freshman Zack Kuntz had a catch for 8 yards. True freshman Brenton Strange had a 4-yard touchdown catch.

Overall, I thought that the wide receivers and tight ends played well. I’m very surprised that the tight ends weren’t more involved in the game plan as they only had a combined three receptions. Redshirt senior tight end Nick Bowers, who didn’t catch any passes on Saturday, is expected to play a significant role in the offense in addition to starting tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Expect the tight ends to play a bigger role next week vs. Buffalo.

Grade: A-

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