The 30-minute preview program will debut on Thursday, August 31, two days before the Nittany Lions host Akron. "Unrivaled: The Penn State Football Story" Presented by Pepsi will debut August 31 in some markets and air on WPSU-TV, across the Commonwealth and in numerous markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (see affiliates and schedule below).įans are encouraged to check local listings for possible schedule changes, particularly for the first episode and final episode, which will air during Thanksgiving week. Penn State Athletics and WPSU are continuing their partnership this fall to produce the fourth season of "Unrivaled: The Penn State Football Story," Presented by Pepsi, a weekly preview show that will chronicle the Nittany Lions' journey throughout the 2017 season. It was a promising start for a unit that still needs to prove its depth and big-play ability.UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Backup defensive end Ryan Buchholz was a force with four first-half tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Standouts included backup cornerback Amani Oruwariye with an acrobatic interception and a key, long pass breakup. When it mattered, they held the Zips to 99 total yards and only 28 on the ground.Īkron managed only seven first downs through three quarters. The Lions rotated their defense heavy from the get-go and received disciplined, impressive production across the board. Then Penn State starting defensive end and pass-rush specialist Shareef Miller went down early with some sort of lower-leg injury and didn't return. The Nittany Lions had more of a challenge than most gave them credit for.Īkron boasted a four-year starting quarterback and a former Ohio State tailback operating behind a veteran line. He was sure-handed and made good decisions in bad conditions. He averaged 31.8 yards per return on just four first-half tries. Sixty-one yards for the opening score that loosened everyone up. From there, he followed a caravan of blockers, made a nice ending cut and scored. He fielded the ball cleanly, shook off the first tackle and instinctively cut to the left side. That's a bit fearless and all good returners own it. Most important, he didn't call for a safe fair catch. Thompkins took his first return in a downpour and with the Akron coverage team bearing down. Maybe for the first time since Derrick Williams in 2008.ĭeAndre Thompkins, a junior, looked like a different man back there from two years ago when he struggled with even holding onto the ball and was eventually benched. Best punt returning in a decade?įinally, the Lions look to have a confident, explosive punt returner. Remember, senior tackle Andrew Nelson and top-level recruit Michal Menet haven't contributed yet. Mahon sealed of the right side to lead Barkley into a score a bit later. Shortly after, Mahon pulled on his block, teaming with tackle Ryan Bates to lead McSorley into the end zone. The middle of the line obliterated Akron and Barkley sprinted untouched on his way to the biggest play of the day. If there was any doubt, look no further than Saquon Barkley's 80-yard blitz down the left side in the second quarter. Same for senior guard Brendan Mahon, who had not played since last year's Iowa game. More: Penn State primed to win Big Ten again - but can they run the table?Īll eyes were on sophomore Connor McGovern and he fared well for a first-time center. More: This is the ultimate Penn State tailgating vehicle More: Does Penn State have enough heart for the most special season? They consistently gave Trace McSorley time to throw and repeatedly opened breezy running lanes, especially when it mattered most early. Penn State's blockers, hyped for the first time in years, delivered about as well as could be expected in the debut. It doesn't matter that Akron's defense is not Big Ten caliber, and certainly nothing compared to mighty Ohio State. ![]() Now, for the three things we learned on the day. ![]() So all it took was one most unusual punt return to get things straightened out for the day, it turned out.Īs expected, Penn State rolled to the kickoff victory Saturday over Akron, 52-0. 6 team in the nation in the much-awaited season opener in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions promptly quieted things even more by throwing an early interception in the end zone. Saturday's rain-slicker Penn State crowd looked like the Blue-White Game in April amid record-setting chilly conditions. Watch Video: PSU coach Franklin takes a rainy lap around Beaver Stadium
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