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

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 05: Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 05: Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

THE PASS CATCHERS . A. . .

I’m running out of adjectives to describe the play of the wide receivers and tight ends each week. This is the most explosive wide receiver group Penn State has had in years. The speed between K.J Hamler and Jahan Dotson is electric and incredibly hard for opposing teams to stop.

Jahan Dotson led Penn State in receiving yards with 79 on two receptions that included a 72-yard touchdown. The play was possibly the second-best of the season by Nittany Lions, behind K.J Hamler’s touchdown vs. Maryland.

Penn State’s second-leading receiver was tight end Nick Bowers for the second week in a row. Bowers put together a nice performance once again as he had three receptions for 66 yards.

K.J Hamler continued the phenomenal year he’s having as he had three receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. An emphasis has been placed on getting Hamler the ball more and more each game, and despite the fact that he only had five touches in the game (two carries, three receptions), expect his targets to sky at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

Furthermore, Daniel George did a solid job of filling in for Justin Shorter, who missed Saturday’s game with a concussion. George had two receptions for 31 yards. Tight end Pat Freiemuth had three catches for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Dan Chisena had a reception for six yards.

Penn State wide receivers coach Gerad Parker deserves so much credit for the way this unit has played this season. After being among the leaders in the nation in team drops last season, this receiver group has really bounced back.

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