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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: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball against Tre Walker #8 of 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: KJ Hamler #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball against Tre Walker #8 of the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

You can make an argument that special teams were a disaster for Penn State in 2018, but they looked a lot better in game one of 2019. Every field goal or extra point was made, as Jake Pinegar went 2-for-2 on field goals and 10-for-10 on extra points.

To add to Pinegar’s solid performance, grad-transfer Jordan Stout made a 53-yard field goal, showing he can be a kicking threat that Penn State hasn’t had in years. Stout also handled kickoffs and didn’t allow a single return all day.

In terms of punt returns, K.J Hamler did a good job of handling Idaho’s bizarre bouncing, line-drive punts. He even looked like he would have brought a couple back all the way had he not lost his footing.

The only problem on special teams was Mac Hippenhammer, who fumbled in two punt returns. One of those was recovered by Idado, ultimately leading to their sole touchdown drive.

Overall, I liked what I saw out of the starting special teams players. Hippenhammer’s errors are the one’s that drove this grade down a letter.

Grade: B

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