Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 15 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M "It's a crucial year for Penn State to get the pro- gram back on track after an 11-11 mark over the last two seasons. Also, after a 5-0 start last fall, the team went 2-6 over the last eight matchups. Re- versing that trend starts on offense. Quarterback Sean Clifford has to play with more consistency, but the senior also needs more help from a shaky offensive line that surrendered the most sacks (34) of any team in the Big Ten. In addition to better pass protection, the line has to improve its run blocking after the Nittany Lions failed to have a 100-yard rusher and managed just 2.96 yards per carry in '21. Assuming Clifford takes a step forward and the line improves, the skill talent — receiver Parker Washington and talented true freshman running back Nick Singleton headline the key re- turning playmakers — is there for the offense to improve (25 points a game last fall)." — Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports writer, on Penn State's football outlook in 2022 "When you can trust your body, your confi- dence just grows. I would say the difference [from college to now] was that I was a way more confi- dent player in college and early in my career than I was prior to last year. Now I'm starting to get that swagger back." — Saquon Barkley, former Penn State All-American and current New York Giants running back, on how he's feeling physically as he looks to bounce back from three injury-plagued seasons "We expect him ready by Game 1. I think it's a little bit different with a veteran player. I think sometimes, with younger players that haven't played a whole lot, you're kind of anxious, almost rushing them to get back as soon as you possibly can. But with a player experienced as he is … PJ is a hard-charging guy. We actually had to do the opposite, and pull him back. But mentally, he'll obviously be ready. And physically, he's pretty far along." — James Franklin on defensive tackle PJ Mustipher's recovery from a season-ending leg injury he suffered last October "You can't teach height. You can't teach twitch. You've either got that or you don't. He's got great hips, and he just has a natural knack to rush the passer. With a lot of guys, it's hard [because] if you don't have some of those traits, then ev- erything has to be manufactured. This guy does things naturally on his own like some of the other gifted rushers we've had here in the past couple years. He has those types of physical traits. As a coach, you can really hone in on the skill, because he's got physical traits." — John Scott Jr., Penn State defensive line coach, on edge rusher Demeioun "Chop" Robinson, who arrived earlier this summer after transferring from Maryland "Not every college football player is getting an NIL deal worth $3 million and a beach house. Or a Lamborghini. Or even $500 for an autograph session. "But, the 11,135 college football players in the FBS who are getting a full ride – 131 schools x 85 scholarships – are still getting a great deal. "And, they are getting compensated. Quite well, I think. I'm a full-blown advocate of NIL. But I also think the prize package that a major college football player receives in turn for playing a game is also a very good deal." — Mike Poorman, StateCollege.com columnist, on compensation for college athletes They Said It 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 "You get what you earn. This isn't an entitlement area where you get this because you're a junior or a senior and you ex- pect to play. Our job is to win. If I'm not playing the best player and we don't win, there's going to be somebody else coaching them." — Ja'Juan Seider, Penn State running backs coach, on the competition for playing time at his position group PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL