Penn State Football: key players vs Purdue

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Keyvone Lee #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 20, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Keyvone Lee #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 20, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The wait is almost over. Kickoff of the 2022 Penn State Football season is almost here, and for the Nittany Lions to start off the season with a win, they will need a few key players to step up.

Without a doubt, everyone needs to play well to help Penn State get a win, but the performance of some may have a greater influence on the outcome of the game than others.

Let’s take a look at two key players on each side of the ball that will need to play well for Penn State Football on Thursday evening.

Key player on offense – Olu Fashanu (LT)

Penn State Football
Penn State’s new offensive line coach, Phil Trautwein, (image via YorkDailyRecord) /

One thing we’ve learned about Sean Clifford over the years is that if you can give him enough protection and enough support from the skill position players, that he can do great things. Granted, that’s true of all quarterbacks at all levels, but perhaps a little more so with Clifford than others, particularly when it comes to pass protection.

If Clifford has time to set his feet and go through his progressions, he can do a lot of good things; but on the flip side, if he is timid as a result of being constantly hit and flushed from the pocket, he tends to make some poor decisions.

For that reason, nobody will have a bigger influence on Clifford’s success in 2022 than his new left tackle: Olu Fashanu.

Protect his blind side on Thursday night, and Sean Clifford has plenty of outstanding wideouts that he’ll be able to get the ball to.

Additionally, not that we want to look ahead, but Fashanu’s performance against Purdue will set the tone for the remainder of the season. If he plays well, Clifford can earn his trust and be comfortable hanging in the pocket and finding the open receiver.

If Fashanu struggles, it could be the exact opposite.

Of course, Fashanu’s performance as a run blocker against Purdue will also be important, as it can help the Nittany Lions establish a solid rushing attack which we all know they desperately need to do in 2022.

The left tackle is always extremely important, and this game is no different. Olu Fashanu needs to play well for Penn State Football to come away with a win.