In Penn State football's 21-18 loss to Michigan on Saturday, the answer to wide receiver Koby Howard's offense was undeniable. Though Howard is expected to return following the Nittany Lions' (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) bye week, wideout Chase Sowell has emerged as the leading pass catcher and offensive spark for the blue and white.
Sowell had 11 catches for 151 yards and one touchdown on 15 targets in Saturday's contest. This was the first time this season he's eclipsed the 100-receiving yard mark with his closest game prior being a 95-yard game vs. USC.
Sowell gave the Wolverines' defensive backs trouble all afternoon. He came up with huge catches that kept hope alive for Penn State, including a 26-yard catch that put the Nittany Lions in Michigan territory at its 39-yard-line. He also came up with receptions along the sidelines, beating the safeties to the ball and keeping his feet in-bounds.
Sowell made quarterback Rocco Becht look better than he was, at least in the first half. Coming up with key contested catches, though Becht's accuracy was needed in those moments, was the real spark for the offense. However, Sowell could only do so much.
Chase Sowell's Week 7 performance is what Penn State's wide receiver room has looked for
During non-conference play, Howard was the prime target for Becht and even head coach Matt Campbell said after the Wisconsin loss that the team missed Howard's presence out on the field. Sowell was clearly stepping up as the main receiver, but never had that "umph" to his game. Against the Trojans, he looked like he was reaching that point, and it was solidified vs. the Wolverines.
The more Penn State's quarterback(s) — if Campbell gives Alex Manske a chance after Becht's mistake-ridden performance — can spread the ball around, the better. The more pass catchers Becht and Manske trust, the better. Sowell is only in Happy Valley for one more season, but having those reps in practice and on game day are key in developing accuracy, especially on Manske's part when thinking about the future of the program.
This is what the Nittany Lions have looked for: a wide receiver room with options. If Campbell isn't ready to bench Becht, he needs as many tried-and-true targets as possible. Sowell, Howard, Brett Eskildsen, Benjamin Brahmer, and Andrew Rappleyea is a strong group to have exiting the Week 8 bye.
Speaking of the bye week, that's also an opportunity for both Sowell and Howard to rest up.
A brief injury scare with his right ankle occurred early in the second quarter, but after emerging from the injury tent, he soon returned to the field. He was listed on the Week 7 injury report as "probable" and was considered a game time decision, according to the CBS broadcast. His presence on Saturday turned out to be critical.
Including Saturday at Michigan, Sowell has accumulated 510 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions. His longest catch was a 47-yarder vs. USC in the Week 6 White Out at Beaver Stadium.
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