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P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L >> has gotten stronger and more explosive, which is going to allow him to make more big plays in terms of yards and in terms of running through defensive backs." Dotson's natural talent was on full dis- play in his four-catch, 109-yard showing against Bu:alo. On both his 9rst career touchdown and the 56-yard score he had late in the fourth quarter, the Nazareth, Pa., native created wide separation from his defender and showed so; hands. And, importantly, he seems to have settled into his role as an undersized outside receiver, allowing Hamler to thrive in the slot and the larger Justin Shorter to continue his development. He's also worked to improve as a blocker, an area that new wide receivers coach Gerad Parker has stressed since ar- riving at Penn State in January. On tight end Pat Freiermuth's 27-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Bu:alo, it was Dotson who threw a crucial block that opened the seam for Freier- muth to 9nd pay dirt. His breakout game earned him Penn State co-O:ensive Player of the Week honors, along with Freiermuth. The Nittany Lions' wide receivers are "de9nitely not big, but they're strong and physical and explosive," Freiermuth said. "They don't take anything from anybody. They are not going to lose their one-on- ones. Coach Parker preaches that with the receivers. You catch balls and you block. That's what you do. You have to help your other teammates out, and they did a great job of that on that play." The block in question might not have been one that Dotson could have made a year ago. But a;er making lifestyle changes this past o:-season, he feels as though he's a more complete receiver and a greater asset to a talented but inexperi- enced o:ense. "My body last year, I wasn't really eat- ing right. I wasn't li;ing correctly, wasn't conditioning myself," Dotson said. "I think the biggest [di:erence] now is sleep. That's one thing I take very seri- ously now. Last year I wasn't getting a lot of sleep, but this year I've been trying to change my habits and get more sleep, working out in the weight room, doing a little bit extra every day just to be better than yesterday." Dotson's commitment to honing his cra; and improving his body will deter- mine whether or not he's able to reach his full potential. Franklin, who coached the Green Bay Packers' wide receivers during a one-year stint in the NFL, said he be- lieves that Dotson has the ability to play at that level. "I think he's getting close to the point where he's got the Big Ten body that we need him to have," Franklin said. "But we need to keep plugging away in that area because once he puts together a junior, senior and NFL body, he's got a chance to have a very bright future at Penn State and a;er that." Dotson attributes his work ethic to his parents, who he says work long hours to support him and his brother. He added that he has begun to understand the com- mitment it has taken from his mother and father – who was a longtime Ohio State fan prior to Dotson's commitment to Penn State – to put him in a position to be catching touchdown passes at Beaver Stadium. His parents were in the bleachers when Dotson fell backward into the end zone against Bu:alo. "A;er the game I actually talked to my parents. My dad said he cried a;er I scored my 9rst touchdown, so that was pretty cool to hear, just knowing I made my parents happy," Dotson said. "They're always proud of me, and that's just a great feeling." Dotson's numbers against Pitt weren't eye-popping – to be fair, nobody's were – but with his con9dence soaring, it's safe to assume more scores aren't far away. ■ JOE KRENTZMAN & SON, INC. • Buyers and Brokers of Steel, Iron and Nonferrous Metals • Industrial Scrap Buyers • Container Service Available • Large Service Territory Since 1903 Lewistown, PA • Hollidaysburg, PA • DuBois, PA (800) 543-2000 • www.krentzman.net F irst i n S cra p

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