Penn State Football 2021: 5 reasons for optimism, 4 reasons to worry

Reason for Optimism #5 – Good Special Teams

Nobody realizes how valuable special teams until their team is bad on special teams and it hurts them.

Starting with kicker and punter, Jordan Stout has a powerful leg which is great for many aspects. He can drive kick offs out the back of the end zone to avoid a big return, he can flip field position with a long punt, and he has long field goal range to potentially steal three points in situations where most teams might punt.

Jake Pinegar had a shaky start to the season last year, only making one out of four field goals in the first three games. However, he finished the season making eight out of nine in the final six games. Plus, he has had success in the past and has shown he can be a solid kicker.

As for returners, this Penn State football team has plenty of guys who can make things happen with the ball in their hand.

At punt returner, guys like Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington both have good speed and can make guys miss. At kick returner, Penn State has a loaded running back room full of guys who can make a play with the ball in their hands that could get kick return opportunities, such as Devyn Ford.

A big return to either flip field position or score a touchdown can provide a huge momentum swing in a game. It can also help an offense that might be struggling to put points on the board or move the ball one week. The Nittany Lions definitely have the personnel on special teams to provide a spark to the rest of the team.