Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540433
3 8 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State entered the 2025 season with the biggest expectations in at least a decade for what it could achieve on offense. Six games into the season, though, second-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki's attack was nothing like what many expected. Aside from senior running back Kaytron Allen and maybe redshirt junior guard Olaivavega Ioane, it's been hard to find anyone who has progressed from 2024 until now. Making matters worse, it's difficult to envision that situa- tion changing now that the offense will be operated by backup quarterbacks for the remainder of the year after senior starter Drew Allar suffered a season-ending left leg injury in the Nittany Lions' 22-21 loss to Northwestern on Oct. 11. Following PSU's setback versus the Wildcats, players expressed confidence in Allar's backup, redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer. But the Lions were struggling even with a third-year starter operating Kotelnicki's offense, making it hard to imagine a breakthrough happen- ing with a much less experienced player behind center. "We've got to handle whatever comes and respond to whatever comes," coach James Franklin said following the North- western game. "I thought early on we were able to run the ball and mix some things up. In the second half, we weren't able to run the ball either." Less than 24 hours after that game, Franklin was dismissed as Penn State's head coach, giving the team something else to adapt and respond to. With a visit to Iowa looming, here's how the various position groups on offense graded out at the midway point of the season. Quarterbacks Allar might have been a first-round MIDSEASON GRADES OFFENSE Inconsistency has held the Nittany Lions back this fall G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Senior wideout Devonte Ross compiled a team-best 240 receiving yards through the Nittany Lions' first six games, including 115 yards on 7 catches against Northwestern. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS