Penn State football’s 2024 summer standouts: Special teams crutch

Penn State football will soon be gearing up for its preseason camp. A month later, the Nittany Lions will put their work to action when they begin the 2024 season.

This week, Blue-White Illustrated is examining the names and faces expected to significantly impact every facet of the game. Today, we’re turning to the specialist who can be a crutch for the Nittany Lions this season

Penn State football’s 2024 summer standouts: Special teams crutch

Riley Thompson

One of the biggest boosts to Penn State’s 2024 season occurred before the calendar flipped into the new year. Riley Thompson, the transfer punter from FAU, had been granted a waiver to participate for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

“I have absolutely loved my first season playing in front of you guys at Beaver Stadium,” Thompson wrote after the announcement. “I am so thrilled to announce that I have been approved by the NCAA for a two-year extension to my eligibility clock through the 2025 season. And I can’t wait to be back out there with my teammates and in front of you. Job’s not finished.”

Thompson’s return meant the exit of scholarship punter Alex Bacchetta to the transfer portal, eventually landing at Rice. But it also meant the return of an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection with an opportunity to emerge as one of the conference’s best punters during the 2024 season.

Last year, he finished with 51 punts at an average of 45.8 yards per attempt. It was the second-highest average in program history and the best since 2000. His leg proved to be weaponry on behalf of Manny Diaz and the Nittany Lion defense beyond the sheer numbers, though. None of his punt attempts went for touchbacks. He had 17 punts downed inside the 20, and 15 of his kicks were good for 50 or more yards.

So, upon accepting the Penn State special teams coordinator position this offseason, Justin Lustig didn’t hold back when evaluating the impact of Thompson’s carryover into the new campaign.

“It’s huge. As specialists, you can be talented, and you can do it in practices. But doing it in games is a completely different animal,” said Lustig. “The mental game of that position is so critically important. Being able to handle the crowds. And being able to handle the situations in the games.

“Having a guy that’s got some experience under his belt and being able to come back is huge for us. I see guys take big, big steps going into their junior and senior years, or their fourth and fifth years, at specialist positions. So expectations are high for him.”

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