Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1507572
2 4 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M E valuating the carryover from KeAn- dre Lambert-Smith's strong finish to the 2022 season into his effort in this year's opener against West Virginia, Penn State head coach James Franklin ac- knowledged the power of confidence. Lambert-Smith, a fourth-year junior wide receiver, had electrified the Beaver Stadium crowd by scoring the first points of the Nittany Lions' 2023 season. In so doing, he created a seamless transition from his performances against Michigan State and Utah more than nine months prior. It was exactly the kind of start that both Lambert-Smith and Franklin had been hoping for. "I think the way the season ended last year, we were able to build on it all spring, all summer," Franklin said. "You love that he was able to start really strong and then keep it going and continue to build on it." Against West Virginia, that took shape from the jump. On Penn State's first plays from scrimmage, Lambert-Smith quickly found himself as a favorite target of new starting quarterback Drew Allar. After a couple of carries by sophomore run- ning back Nicholas Singleton, a second- and-7 completion to Lambert-Smith pushed the Nittany Lions 9 yards upfield to their own 28. The first-down catch was just a pre- view. Under center, with Lambert-Smith in the slot, Allar dropped back with a KEEPING THE FAITH Shedding the inconsistency of his first few seasons, KeAndre Lambert-Smith has developed into a confident leader of the PSU receiving corps N A T E B A U E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Lambert-Smith got his junior season off to an eye- opening start, catching 4 passes for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns against West Virginia. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL