Blue White Illustrated

A P R I L 2 2 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 4 PLAYER OF THE GAME Quarterback Tommy Stevens left no doubt about his development since his arrival at Penn State, earning game MVP honors for his 17 completions on 24 attempts. Notch- ing 216 yards and three scores, he gives the Nittany Lions another capable starter at the quarterback position. PLAY OF THE GAMEStevens connected with Andre Robinson on a screen pass at the end of the third quarter in the red zone, and Robinson did the rest. Plung- ing through three tackle attempts up the sideline, the backup running back scored the game's first touchdown. BEST PASSStevens put one right on the money downfield late in the third quarter, hook- ing up with DeAndre Thompkins down the right sideline. The completion went for 50 yards. WORST PASSAndre Robinson looks like carry- ing the ball is his game. His third-quarter halfback option pass was easily intercepted when he threw the ball into double coverage. BEST RUNMark Allen's 15-yard carry to open the second half was one of few highlights for the Nittany Lions carry- ing the ball Saturday afternoon. BEST CATCHFor as good as Stevens' throw was on the 50-yarder, Thomp- kins' reception was just as nice. On outstretched arms and fingertips, the junior wideout hauled in the pass to ce- ment the game's biggest play. WORST DROPPenn State's secondary mishandled a few opportunities on Sat- urday afternoon, instantly bringing to mind James Franklin's spring call to the group to work on its ball skills. BEST SACKShareef Miller looked like he was trying to pull up, but a push in the back propelled him directly into the blind side of quarterback Billy Fessler in the third quarter. We'll count it as a definite sack. BEST EFFORTBrandon Polk's fourth- quarter touchdown reception wasn't the most graceful, but by sticking with the pass in the middle of the field, he managed to complete the 31-yard scor- ing play. BEST KICKTyler Davis put his Blue side on the board first, sending through a 42-yard attempt (with some help from the left upright) with 2:36 left in the first quarter. The boot gave Blue a 3-0 lead after a stalled, nine-play posses- sion spanning 39 yards. BEST DECISIONGoing for some game- ending points proved to be a beneficial exercise for the Nittany Lions on Satur- day afternoon, as they wrapped up the game with a touchdown pass from Stevens to Juwan Johnson in the middle of the field. MOST TELLING MOMENTAfter the game, Franklin was emotional in de- scribing a talk that Tim Shaw had given to the team the night before. Shaw, a for- mer standout Nittany Lion linebacker who is battling ALS, talked to players and coaches about being present, and being the best they can be in everything. His message resonated deeply with the Lion's coach. –NATE  BAUER JUDGMENT CALLS The best and the rest from the Nittany Lions' spring game BEST RUN Allen burst free for a 15- yard gain early in the second half. The backup running back finished PSU's spring scrimmage with a game-high 63 yards rushing on only 10 carries. Photo by Patrick Mansell

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