Penn State-Delaware preview: 5 keys for the Nittany Lions against an FCS opponent

Publish date: 2024-06-04

When Penn State beat Villanova two years ago — the last time PSU played an FCS opponent — a whopping 71 players were listed on the participation report.

Saturday afternoon against Delaware, I expect a similar scenario will unfold in the second half. It’s important for No. 7 Penn State to figure out what it has long term at many positions, and this is the kind of game that allows it to build depth and look to the future. Many of the freshmen who are expected to redshirt this season could play late in the game. Career backups should have their moment in Beaver Stadium, too.

As for the rest of us, we better figure out how to get Peacock.

Here are five keys to the game and a prediction for Saturday:

On to the next… ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/onerfu30Vg

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 5, 2023

1. What about QB2?

Drew Allar is in line for his second career start, and how long he plays in this one will inevitably become a storyline. He’s young. This is a good time for some of those high snaps between center Hunter Nourzad and Allar to get ironed out. They need to keep this offense clicking, but at what expense? In the past, James Franklin has left starters in games longer than many anticipated, so just how comfortable of a lead do they need to get Beau Pribula on the field? By midway through the third quarter, I expect Franklin to make a switch.

This is a huge opportunity for Pribula. After getting in at the end of the West Virginia game last week, when he scored his first career touchdown, he’ll now get a chance to run the offense presumably for an extended amount of time. So much of what the PSU staff likes about Pribula has to do with his athleticism. Franklin said it’s difficult to evaluate those moments in practice. Well, now it’s game time.

And no, there’s no sense in burning the Pribula package in this one — if such a thing even exists.

2. Identify the No. 3 wide receiver

It’s the question that’s lingered all summer: Who steps up behind KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace III? Malik McClain continues to be praised by teammates and coaches. The Florida State transfer showed last week he’ll impact the offense. Liam Clifford currently is the top option in the slot, with Kaden Saunders behind him. Sophomore Omari Evans, once a prime candidate for the No. 3 spot, warmed up but didn’t play against West Virginia. He practiced this week but his availability will be worth monitoring Saturday morning. Perhaps it’s a game like this where former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas gets going? This would be the game to really dive into options three through six in the receiving corps and see who separates.

3. Build depth at guard

JB Nelson made his first career start against West Virginia, and it went extremely well. Replacing Landon Tengwall, who announced a medical retirement ahead of the opener, Nelson proved a pleasant surprise. The coaches have raved about his physicality, and he showed it in the game.

“He will just continue to get better,” said offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. “He was able to play a bunch of snaps last year, and it just shows you how much he’s developed. … I think he’s gonna be an NFL guy.”

Also expect to see redshirt freshman Vega Ioane, who played 27 of the offense’s 65 snaps last week.

“He did some really nice things while he was in there,” Franklin said. “There’s still a ton of growth potential for Vega. That’s going to be kind of our challenge this year, is how can we continue to get him as many reps as possible so that he’s prepared to be a starter and can play like a starter whenever he’s in there and whenever we need him.”

4. Get the turnovers rolling

The Blue Hens have a large offensive line, with four of the five starters 300-plus pounds. However, their quarterback was sacked four times last week against Stony Brook. It should have this PSU defensive line excited, but keep in mind Delaware can’t approach this like they would any other game.

The challenge for many FCS teams is they just don’t have the depth or athletes to withstand an entire game against Power 5 players. They have to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quickly. They need to be almost flawless. Many FCS-level coaches openly hope they just can hang with P5 opponents for a half.

“Their pass game is vertical, and movement, but in my mind, I expect us to see a ton of quick game, a ton of screens, and a ton of move-the-pocket type stuff,” Franklin said.

It could create some issues with timing, and thus PSU will be on the hunt for the first turnover of the season. Delaware quarterback Ryan O’Connor threw two interceptions last week. Penn State spent the offseason looking for a playmaker to emerge at safety, eying someone who can create takeaways like Ji’Ayir Brown and Jaquan Brisker did last season. This might be the get-right game for a talented secondary that likely continues rolling through four safeties and getting freshman King Mack in the game as the fifth option.

5. Gain clarity on special teams

There’s a lot to clean up in the kicking game, and this is the perfect game for it. Sander Sahaydak missed field goals of 38 and 32 yards against West Virginia before being replaced in the second half by Columbia transfer Alex Felkins. Felkins converted a 25-yard field goal and a pair of extra points. There were playful jeers from the crowd after Felkins’ successful conversions. Punter Riley Thompson, a transfer from FAU, had a shank in his Beaver Stadium debut. All offseason, special teams play was scrutinized. That will continue until it’s vastly improved.

The player we’ll be talking about on Sunday

RB Kaytron Allen

It felt like Nick Singleton was going to break a long run against West Virginia. His longest went for 14 yards. It’s only a matter of time until he rips off a long touchdown again. I picked Allen, though, because he was singled out by Franklin this week, as the head coach said he hopes Allen is appreciated by fans. They’re viewed as co-starters and either one can break this game open early and likely will.

Past meets present

Keeno Arrington, the son of LaVar Arrington, is a defensive back for the Blue Hens. He’s No. 10. Arrington, a standout high school basketball player in Pittsburgh, started his collegiate career playing basketball at Allegheny College. He transferred to Lackawanna College, where he started playing football again, the sport he hadn’t played since middle school. Arrington, a senior, is in his first season at Delaware. He recorded one tackle last week against Stony Brook. LaVar Arrington was in Beaver Stadium last week and will attend again this week. Undoubtedly this will be a special day for the Penn State legend.

Prediction

Penn State 51, Delaware 10

This is over in a hurry, and the Blue Hens score a touchdown late. A win on Saturday means building depth by gaining experience for the younger players and emerging as healthy as possible ahead of next week’s Big Ten opener at Illinois.

(Photo of Beau Pribula: Gregory Fisher / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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