James Franklin’s Big Challenge for Penn State’s Offense Ahead of Big Clash vs. Oregon
Head coach James Franklin isn’t mincing words when it comes to what Penn State’s offense needs to take the next step.
After watching his Nittany Lions roll to a 3–0 start, the head coach put the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of his playmakers as they prepare for the Oregon Ducks.
“If each one of them makes one special play a game where they bring something more to the table than the O-line or the scheme got them, we’re going to be in good shape,” Franklin told reporters this week. “When you talk about the tight ends and the receivers and the running backs, that’s eight special plays a game. That adds up quick.”
Through three weeks, Penn State’s offense has already provided plenty of examples that show Franklin’s vision in action.
As the Nittany Lions prepare for their toughest test yet against Oregon, those isolated moments of brilliance could be the difference between competing and defeating.
Inside Penn State Football’s Big Play Potential
Here’s a breakdown of the players Franklin and Penn State will be leaning on most, against Oregon and beyond, and the big plays that they have managed to produce through the season’s first three games.
The Special Plays From the Special Players
Nevada: W 46-11
- Kyron Hudson – 31-yard TD catch before halftime
- Nicholas Singleton – two rushing touchdowns
- Trebor Peña – 6 receptions, 89 yards
FIU: W 34-0
- Devonte Ross – 42-yard, one-handed TD catch
- Kaytron Allen – 16 carries, 144 yards, 67-yard TD run
- Khalil Dinkins – 9-yard touchdown catch
- Singleton – late 5-yard touchdown run
Villanova: W 52-6
- Luke Reynolds – 4 receptions, 73 yards (22 & 21- yard chunk receptions)
- Kaytron Allen – 10 carries, 86 yards, 18-yard TD ru
- Hudson – 11-yard drive-extending catch
A Mathematical Certainty for Penn State?
Oregon is built to neutralize schemes.
The Ducks are fast and fly to the ball, close space quickly, and trust their athletes to win one-on-one battles. That means Franklin’s math becomes critical.
If Allen breaks a tackle and finds a small hole to squeeze through, if Reynolds hits a seam route for a 20-yard catch, if Ross or Hudson stretches the field vertically to loosen up the Ducks’ secondary, each of those chunk plays puts pressure on the Ducks.
Eight of them in a game, as Franklin notes, adds up quickly.
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear From Fanatics | Shop Penn State Merchandise on Amazon
Penn State hasn’t needed perfection to start 3–0. They’ve needed flashes of brilliance layered on top of balance and execution to finish strong despite three slow starts.
They’ve gotten them.
From Allen’s 67-yard dagger, to Ross’ circus catch, to Reynolds’ breakout game at tight end, the contributions have added up to a solid 3-0 start to a promising season inundated with expectations.
If Franklin’s playmakers keep stacking those moments, one apiece, every game, the Nittany Lions won’t just be in good shape versus Oregon they’ll be 4-0 when the scoreboard shows all zeroes.
MORE Penn State Football news from NittanyCentral:
A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
It was at PRISM where Staszak produced live games and began his career as an on-air reporter.
After a couple of brief stints with CBS-3, WB-17 and WGAL-8 in Lancaster, PA, Staszak began a 12 year stretch at FOX 29 where he became the lead sportscaster in 2007. It was there that Staszak found himself in the middle of Philadelphia Phillies World Series Championship coverage that earned him an Emmy nomination for best sports reporter in 2008.It was one of five Emmy nominations that Staszak earned over the course of his career.
All told Staszak covered three World Series, two Stanley Cup Finals, an NBA Finals and one Super Bowl during his television run.
Staszak left the TV business for 97.5 The Fanatic in 2013, where he enjoyed eight years bloviating his beliefs on how a professional football team should be run.In 2018 when he fortunate enough to be the first sports talk host in the city, along with cohort Zach Gelb, to provide post-game coverage of the first Super Bowl Championship for the city’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
Staszak was also a writer for 97.5 The Fanatic along with 4 Philly Sports and now covers Penn State athletics for NittanyCentral.com.
- James Franklin’s Big Challenge for Penn State’s Offense Ahead of Big Clash vs. Oregon - September 18, 2025
- Penn State Throttles Villanova 52-6, Defense Headlines Again | Game Balls, MVP - September 14, 2025
- Penn State Needs the Full 60 to Take Care of FIU 34-0 | Game balls, MVP - September 7, 2025