Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/541265
P R E V I E W times, especially in 2012, when the Nittany Lions had to quickly assemble a makeshift backfield after Silas Redd transferred out. But with the new tal- ent that has come aboard in the past two recruiting classes, the Lions ap- pear to have experienced a net gain in this area. NUMBERS GAME Although he started only two games as a redshirt sophomore, Lynch was easily Penn State's most productive running back. His per-carry average of 4.6 yards was better than that of Belton (4.2) and Zwinak (2.8). OUTLOOK Lynch is up to 220 pounds, five more than he carried last year. He looks solid enough to take on tacklers this fall rather than just scooting around them, and that's ex- actly what Franklin says he wants to see. "I think there are times he can lower his shoulder and run people over, but he hasn't shown that as part of his game yet," the Lions' second- year coach said. Part of the problem last year was that Lynch and his fellow running backs didn't have much op- portunity to show what they could do in the open field. All too often, they were being gang tackled at the line of scrimmage. This year, the backfield boasts a wealth of players with higher ceilings than the ones who departed (though much less experience). But their outlook will depend largely on whether Penn State has solved its problems up front. – M.H. BETTER THAN EVER Chris Godwin looks to top his stellar debut | C hris Godwin says his relationship with Penn State quarterback Chris- tian Hackenberg is so much further ahead of where it was a year ago at this time. Pausing to reflect on the statement, a broad smile crosses the sophomore wide receiver's face as he realizes its implication. Godwin, who is less than a full calendar year into his career as a Nittany Lion, didn't really even have a relationship with Hackenberg 12 months ago. "I wasn't even here at this point in time last year," he said, "but I just think our chemistry has grown so much since even the bowl game." The entire Penn State football program is counting on it. A heralded prospect out of Middletown, Del., Godwin backed up his impressive recruiting ratings by making an imme- diate impact with the Nittany Lions last season. His numbers – 25 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns – were enough to earn multiple Big Ten All- Freshman nods and placed him fifth among all Penn State receivers during an up-and-down 2014 campaign. Part of a youthful wideout corps that was charged with helping Penn State overcome the departure of All-American Allen Robinson, Godwin had an eye- opening introduction to college football. "Last year was pretty crazy for me," he said. "Coming in as a true freshman and being able to earn the respect of my coaches and my teammates, for them to have the trust in me to allow me to come in and play and help contribute toward our team success, it was pretty crazy for me. "It gave me a chance to get my feet wet a little bit at the beginning of the season. And then as the season went on, I got more and more of a productive role." Making his collegiate debut in the most unlikely of places – Dublin, Ire- land – Godwin had two receptions for 13 yards in the Nittany Lions' 26-24 victory against UCF in the Croke Park Classic. It was a modest contribution to Penn State's 454-yard passing total against the Knights, but for the 19- year-old true freshman, simply being on the field at the very start of his career was enough to bring a childhood dream to fruition. "I realized that was a big success for me. That was something that I always wanted to do," he said. "I always wanted to come in and play, and for me to do it at a big school like Penn State, it was an honor for me. That was the first real big steppingstone for me. When I got my first catch, I think I realized it was the real deal. And playing in front of as many W I D E R E C E I V E R S PHIL'S TAKE This is Lynch's opportunity to shine. He'll be a junior this fall and it will be his fourth year in the program. But it's just as important for one of the freshmen to emerge as the No. 2 running back in preseason prac- tice. Don't discount newcomers Barkley and Robinson. They could push for playing time this fall.