Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/399784
et's get one thing out of the way: There is no comparing the 2014 Penn State o5ense to its all-conquering, star-studded predecessor from 20 years prior. That 1994 o5ense, almost 4awlessly balanced and loaded with NFL dra6 picks, was one of the greatest in college football history. This year's o5ense scored a com- bined 19 points against Rutgers and Northwestern. That said, there are some similarities, including a QB with NFL fran- chise potential and a nightmare-matchup mountain of a tight end. But without a doubt the most surprising resemblance comes in the pres- ence of a playmaking, yardage-gobbling receiving duo putting up numbers at a record pace. Most observers questioned whether the Nit- tany Lions could 3nd one go-to receiver this season; in DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis, they've got a pair reminding fans (statisti- cally, at least) of the program's all-time greatest receiving duo, Bobby Engram and Freddie Scott. And at least one of those old guys is paying attention. "The biggest thing I noticed is their size – we've got some pretty big receivers," Scott said. "They're much bigger targets compared to when Bobby and I were there. That gives them an advantage against defen- sive backs where you can throw the ball up and let them make plays." Scott was one of a couple dozen members of the '94 squad back in Beaver Stadium in early September to be honored on that team's 20th anniversary. (Engram, now an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens, wasn't able to make it back.) In person that day, and on TV on a few other occasions, Scott has had the chance to watch Hamilton and Lewis in action. Let's just say he's (mostly) very impressed. And why not? Through their 3rst six games, Hamilton and Lewis had combined for 75 catches and 1,072 yards, putting both players on pace for 1,000-yard seasons. Should they manage to maintain the pace, it would make them the 3rst Penn State duo to reach that mark in the same year. Engram racked up 1,029 regular-season receiving yards in | L DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis are the latest WR tandem to shine for the Lions. Only time will tell whether they're also the greatest FLIGHT SCHOOL