Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1507572
3 8 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 P enn State's coaches made clear ahead of the 2023 season their stance on special teams. Needing to replace reliable contributors at nearly all of the major positions — kicker, punter, kick- off specialist, long snapper and punt re- turner — James Franklin and his assistants were hoping that the competitive envi- ronment they had created via the transfer portal would ensure improvement. "I think going out and getting some veteran guys to come in here and com- pete with our current guys has been a real positive," Franklin said just ahead of the Nittany Lions' first game against West Virginia. "Whether the starters end up being from inside the program, the internal guys, or the guys who came from outside, I'm not sure yet. But I think it's really el- evated the whole group. We try to create as much competition with the specialists as we can. No different than any other position. "Whether it's kicks in practice, putting pressure on those guys, whether it's mak- ing sure you have the depth and talent to create a truly competitive environment, we found a way to do it. I think it's been important for our development at that position and our chance to not only build on what we did last year but hopefully take it to a different level." The results thus far have been more mixed than Franklin's initial optimism might have suggested. Here is a look at how Penn State's special teams units per- formed to start the campaign. Placekicker Penn State didn't get off to an encour- aging start here. Having beaten out se- nior Alex Felkins during preseason camp, redshirt sophomore Sander Sahaydak had two cracks at midrange field goals to close out the first half against West Virginia. He missed both, sailing his 38- and 34-yard attempts just outside the right upright. When a third field goal oppor- tunity arose in the fourth quarter, Frank- lin turned to Felkins. Lining up from 25 yards out, the Columbia transfer nailed it. Where that leaves the Nittany Lions as September plods along remains to be seen. They didn't attempt any field goals against Delaware, meaning that the posi- tion was still of concern moving into Big Ten play. Running back Nicholas Singleton has reprised his role as the Lions' primary kickoff returner and was averaging 22.5 yards per runback through two games. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE Up In The Air Penn State's special teams units still have some questions to answer heading into the Big Ten season NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M