ECLIPSING EXPECTATIONS
Nittany Lions thrived after overcoming losses on team
As Penn State turns toward recruiting and its bowl game, we look back on the 2019 regular season, which surpassed expectations while leaving room for a shade of disappointment.
The Lions (10-2) can play in a New Year’s 6 bowl game for the third time in four seasons, quite an accomplishment for a team that lost more than 20 players to the NFL or NCAA transfer portal. Penn State made gains, had lulls and left a few questions hanging out there.
So let’s recap 2019.
Best win
Running back Noah Cain and defensive tackle Robert Windsor helped drag the Lions to a 17-12 victory over Iowa, their first true road win over a ranked team in 6 years. Cain took over in the fourth quarter, scoring the game-winning touchdown and running out the clock behind an assertive offensive line.
Signature moment
Receiver KJ Hamler made 16 plays of 20 yards or longer this season, but his biggest covered just 4. On a vital play late against Michigan, Hamler took a handoff in the backfield and converted a 3rd-and-3 to seal a 28-21 victory. “Give me the ball,” Hamler said during a Michigan timeout, and it worked.
Opportunity missed
Unbeaten and ranked No. 4, Penn State went to Minnesota with a chance reach 9-0 for the first time since 2008. But the Lions staked Minnesota a 14-point lead, allowed Tanner Morgan to complete 90 percent of his passes (a record against them) and fell 31-26. Had Penn State completed its comeback, the team just might be waiting on a playoff bid.
Biggest blah
With three starters sidelined, another injured early, a loss to Ohio State lingering and Beaver Stadium’s student section still on holiday break, Penn State had little gusto for the regular-season finale against Rutgers. Even a 27-6 win didn’t prevent the Scarlet Knights from claiming some high ground. “In our last game, we owned time of possession, we outgained them and we had more first downs than the No. 10
team in the country, Penn State. A play here and a play there,” Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs said at Greg Schiano’s introduction Wednesday.
Offensive MVP
KJ Hamler caught as many passes (54) as Penn State’s next 5 receivers combined. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten in allpurpose yards, generated 16 plays of 20 yards or longer and scored 8 touchdowns. Hamler received 26 percent of the passing targets (91), illustrating how Penn State’s constructed its offense around him. His NFL decision is the next major one for the 2020 team.
Defensive MVP
In just his second year playing linebacker (at any level), Micah Parsons was named the Big Ten’s linebacker of the year. Parsons led the defense in tackles (95) for a second consecutive year, but his contributions went far beyond that. He crashes the backfield (11 TFLs), moves exceptionally well from sideline to sideline and chases down runners with vigor. Savor him for one more season.
Most improved, offense
Running back Journey Brown began the season behind starter Ricky Slade and in the recruiting shadow of freshmen Cain and Devyn Ford. He finished it as the leading rusher (688 yards), averaging a dynamic 6.1 per carry and with four 100-yard games.
Most improved, defense
Safety Lamont Wade emerged from the NCAA transfer portal last spring with no promises about becoming a starter. But he won the job and made some significant plays, notably the late pass breakup against Michigan and the 3 forced fumbles that kept Penn State afloat against Ohio State.
Top newcomer
Freshman Noah Cain arrived with plenty of confidence, which he put into practice to win the starting job at running back. It lasted just one game, against Michigan State, because of an injury, but Cain showcased a power-running ability that the Lions needed desperately against Pitt and Iowa.
Underrated performer
Redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker stepped into an imposing role, protecting quarterback Sean Clifford’s blind side as a first-year left tackle. He wasn’t fazed. “When I have a one-on-one battle, I’m pretty confident I can win,” Walker said before the season. Ultimately, he won a lot of them and set himself as a young anchor of an improving line.
Most improved unit
Penn State’s special teams took an enormous leap under firstyear coach Joe Lorig. According to ESPN’s team-efficiency rankings, Penn State went from 108th in the country in 2018 to No. 1 this season. The Lions had top-15 coverage units on kickoffs and punts and placed three players (Hamler, punter Blake Gillikin and kicker Jake Pinegar) on the all-Big Ten special-teams unit.
Needs improvement
The passing game high-pointed against Maryland and Purdue but otherwise was uneven through the Big Ten season. After the Purdue game, Penn State didn’t reach a 60% completion rate and had 6 games under 200 yards. And receiver Justin Shorter entered the transfer portal. The coaching staff needs to take a big-picture look at its passing approach this offseason.
Underrated statistic
Penn State went 4-1 in onepossession games, a resolve that contributed to its 10-2 record. The Lions resisted Pitt with a goal-line stand, ran out the clock against Iowa, held on for dear life against Michigan and put together an 18-play drive without Hamler to defeat Indiana. Prior to this season, Penn State was 15-13 in one-score games under Franklin.