Penn State Blue-White game superlatives: An overreaction, first-year star, and more

STATE COLLEGE — This space is typically reserved for a report card after each Penn State football game. We assign grades to the offense, defense, special teams, and coaches before providing an overall one. After last year’s effort to do so following the Blue-White game proved futile, considering how the teams are broken up, we’re going in a different direction this spring. Instead, we’ve laid out some superlative categories below and given our pick for each. Want to give yours? Join us to do so inside The Lions Den forum.

What is your biggest overreaction from Saturday?

The Webster’s Dictionary describes an overreaction as “a more emotional or forcible response than is justified.” And that’s what it feels like I’m having about the situation at offensive tackle. James Franklin said after the Blue-White game that the positive of expected starting left tackle Drew Shelton missing all of spring practice was that J’Ven Williams and Nolan Rucci received a ton of reps. And, that is undoubtedly a fact. But, with Anthony Donkoh out of the spring game for unknown reasons, which makes one wonder how much more time he missed during the 14 prior practices, it’s not out of the question to think that the heirs apparent at left and right tackle did not receive the majority of the work this spring. That’s a concern as Shelton and Donkoh aim to take over big jobs on the offense. It’s helpful that each has more game experience for potential first-time starters than most players in their position do. But, their availability, or rather lack thereof, is a big concern. It might end up being one that looks silly, in hindsight, but that’s where I land in response to this question.

Which first-year Penn State player impressed you most?

You’re free to agree with me here. You’re also free to go in a different direction. But, I am making what feels like the easy pick. Cornerback AJ Harris was all over the place on Saturday. The newcomer who transferred in from Georgia this offseason finished with a game-high seven tackles (and more impressively, six of them were solos) in addition to two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. He made a case to be in the starting lineup come the fall. Many talented players want a first-team role too, of course. The cornerback battle will be one of the best in preseason camp. The good news for whoever doesn’t win a starting job, however, is that many players will rotate through for position coach Terry Smith regardless.

Who was the Penn State Blue-White game MVP?

I could certainly hear arguments to the contrary, but I’m going with what feels like another slam dunk pick here. Versatile freshman Quinton Martin Jr., put an exclamation point on his first experience in pads at Beaver Stadium by finding the end zone twice. Both scores came with the winning Team White, as he raced in from nine yards out in the first half and 12 in the second half. It will be very interesting to see how offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki schemes to get him on the field this fall in a very talented running backs room.

What caught your eye the most?

Let’s move this conversation to special teams. We have heard, and you have read, a lot of good things about redshirt freshman kicker Ryan Barker this fall. Still, I wasn’t sure if all of the buzz would translate into seeing him ahead of returner Sander Sahaydak, who has game experience and an obvious age advantage. However, from the first kick in warmups on, Penn State signaled that Barker currently has a lead. Does that mean the competition is over? Of course not. And, Sahaydak did connect on a 30-yard field goal. But, we weren’t sure what the pecking order was to replace Alex Felkins. Now we know.

Pick your final thought

Here’s mine: Way too much will be made about Drew Allar completing just 15 of 32 passes (47 percent) for 202 yards and a touchdown. I, however, will not be among the group doing so. The wind was a factor on this day. Did he make some errant throws? For sure. But, I also saw a willingness to fit some balls in tight windows and possibly make mistakes while doing so that I didn’t see last year, which is a sign of progress. Am I sure concerns about the passing game will rage on into August? Of course, and there’s some validity to that. But, I’m not tying it all to just the spring game stat sheet.

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