he play had worked beautifully in prac-
tice, so Nick Scott was feeling confident
when the Nittany Lions called it in the
third quarter of their game against Illi-
nois last month.
On first-and-10 from the Illini's 14-yard line,
Christian Hackenberg pitched to Scott in the
backfield then trotted unnoticed toward the op-
posite sideline. After taking a few steps to his
right, the redshirt freshman running back stopped,
pivoted and, with defenders converging on him,
threw back to Hackenberg standing alone in the
left flat.
Touchdown, Penn State.
"I've been playing quarterback ever since high
school," Scott said, reflecting on the four varsity
RISING FORCE
Talented freshmen are stepping forward
and brightening Penn State's future
|
T
DROP ZONE
Troy Reeder pres-
sures Maxwell
Smith during
Penn State's vic-
tory over San
Diego State in
September. A
starter since
week two, Reeder
is one of 22
freshmen who
have seen action
for the Lions this
season.
Photo by
Steve Manuel
T H E 2 0 1 5 S E A S O N
