Blue-White Game Takeaways: Positive signs for the Nittany Lions
By Greg Pickel
Spring practice is over for Penn State in 2024. The Nittany Lions returned to the field for the first time in mid-March and held their 15th and final spring practice on Saturday, when they played the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. Here’s what we learned from the annual intrasquad scrimmage, which was played on a sunny but chilly and quite windy day.
1. Eyeing up the Penn State offensive tackle situation
Penn State started spring practice knowing it would have to replace both starting offensive tackles. Before drills even started, head coach James Franklin revealed that third-year Nittany Lion Drew Shelton, who was and is expected to take over for Olu Fashanu at left tackle, would miss at least some time this spring. On the right side, second-year Lion Anthony Donkoh was first up on the right side. He took plenty of snaps this spring. But, he did not participate in the Blue-White game despite being in uniform. It led for a lot of work for J’Ven Williams on the left side and Nolan Rucci on the right. They held up fine, but were clearly overmatched at times against Penn State’s extremely talented and deep defensive end room.
Regardless of the day each had, the clear takeaway here is that the tackle spots will continue to be talked about as a question mark heading into preseason camp.
2. There were positives at receiver
The talk leading into this game focused on a receiver who was not on hand. Senior KeAndre Lambert-Smith is expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal when it opens for undergraduates this coming Tuesday. His absence led to plenty of work for other Penn State pass catchers. Harrison “Trey” Wallace III and Kaden Saunders, despite having a drop each, both had strong days. Each showed an ability to create separation on their own, and both had catches that went for 15-plus yards and featured some running after the catch. Wallace had a game-high five catches for 72 yards and Saunders 2 for 27. Omari Evans had a fine day, too, and Liam Clifford picked up some yards after the catch.
All told, we know this day will not ease the concerns many people have about the Nittany Lions receivers room. But, any signs of positive progression are good for second-year position coach Marques Hagans’ room. And, there were certainly some of them on Saturday afternoon.
3. Barker looks to lead the way in the kicking department
Redshirt freshman Ryan Barker looks to be the leader in the clubhouse to replace Alex Felkins at place kicker. The Landenberg, Pa., native, followed up on a buzzy spring by taking the first placement kick in warmups. Then, he was called on for a 28-yard field goal right before halftime and made it. He also made an extra point in the first half. Sander Sahaydak made a field goal from 30 yards in the second half, and the competition will continue into preseason camp. But, Barker seemingly has the edge for now.
4. Quinton Martin Jr. has strong Penn State debut
Who had freshman running back Quinton Martin Jr., as their Blue-White game MVP? If you did, good pick! The freshman scored on runs of 9 and 12 yards on his only two carries of the day for Team White. It was a strong close to spring for a player who will have every chance to play plenty later this year when the games truly matter.
5. There were no new injuries
What more do we need to say here? We noted in a different post that you can read here which Penn State players were out for the entirety of the Blue-White game. No one was added to the list during the scrimmage, despite a late scare for freshman offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, which is perhaps the best positive of all for the Nittany Lions.
