Penn State throttles Akron

Gesicki led the receiving corps with six receptions, 58 yards and two touchdowns, and redshirt junior Juwan Johnson emerged as a consistent deep ball threat, as three of his four receptions went for more than 15 yards.

Penn State had 16 “explosive” plays, according to Franklin, who measures an explosive play as a completion of more than 15 yards, or a rush of more than 12 yards.

Senior wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton had three drops, but also had a couple of deep ball receptions. Even redshirt junior quarterback Tommy Stevens lined up at wide receiver for a play, logging a 7-yard reception.

“There were times where we probably could’ve been more explosive,” McSorley said. “There were passes on the field that could’ve been up a little more, balls a little bit higher, caught if we kept running. We still have some things to work on, but felt good to show that we can still be explosive.”

Young players got involved, as well. True freshman defensive backs Lamont Wade and Tariq Castro-Fields, and defensive end Yetur Matos, whom Franklin said would play immediately, made their collegiate debuts on special teams in the first half.

With Pitt visiting Beaver Stadium Saturday, Franklin realizes it’ll be a busy week, per usual, as the Nittany Lions prepare for the early rivalry match. For now, he wants the team to bask in the glow of its complete game.

“I want our staff, I want our players to enjoy the game tonight and then we’ll come back tomorrow, we’ll grade the film, we’ll move on to the next opponent,” Franklin said. “It’ll be painful for me to come into the press conference and for you guys to ask the questions about the previous game, because I’ll want to move onto the next game and tell you 35 times who we’re playing. But right now we’re going to focus on the Akron win, and we’re going to enjoy this for like eight hours and move onto our next opponent.” Penn State’s Ryan Bucholz sacks Akron quarterback Thomas Woodson Saturday at Beaver Stadium.