Penn State fans light up Andy Kotelnicki after blowing a chance to knock off Ohio State

When James Franklin hired offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnikci away from Kansas this offseason, he was hailed as a creative genius, and for most of this season, he’s lived up to that billing. Kotelnicki has aided in the development of former five-star quarterback Drew Allar in his second season as Penn State’s starter and has unlocked tight end Tyler Warren by playing him all over the offense. 

However, when No. 3 Penn State needed his creativity the most in its 20-13 loss to No. 4 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium in Week 10, it dried up. A 33-yard carry from Warren as wildcat quarterback dragged the Penn State offense inside the Ohio State five with the Nittany Lions down a touchdown and just under seven minutes remaining, but Kotelnicki’s unit was stuffed on four consecutive plays. 

Penn State ran the ball up the middle with Katron Allen on three straight plays and gained two total yards before Allar threw incomplete for tight end Khalil Dinkins on fourth down. Kotelnicki has gained attention for putting offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane in motion on running plays, but that trickery was unsuccessful on three of Penn State’s final four offensive plays of the game. The only pass play Kotelnicki called near the goalline was designed for Allar to hit Warren in the flat, a play Penn State has used multiple times this season and Ohio State snuffed out immediately. 

Kotelnicki is understandably under fire from the Penn State fanbase after the Ohio State goalline stand. 

At some point, creativity crosses a line into getting too cute, a common issue for Kotelnicki this season and it’s earning him a new nickname, one he may not like as much as “The Big Zamboni” which FOX’s Gus Johnson won’t stop using. 

Penn State’s offense is objectively better this season than last, but the Nittany Lions didn’t manage a single offensive touchdown against the Buckeyes with Kotelnicki calling the plays. Kotelnicki may have a wait a while before getting his shot as a head coach after this performance.