As No. 8 Penn State Football gears up for their season opener against the West Virginia Mountaineers, all eyes are on how this team will handle the pressure right out of the gate.
Penn State enters the season with high expectations, but they’ll face a significant challenge on the road against a Mountaineers team that boasts a potent rushing attack.
Stopping that ground game will be critical for the Nittany Lions, especially as they aim to control the tempo and minimize mistakes in what could be a rainy, slippery contest.
Offensively, Penn State Football will look to establish dominance with their backfield trio of Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Cam Wallace, leveraging their rushing prowess to wear down West Virginia’s defense and keep the ball away from their explosive offense.
With a strong game plan focused on controlling the clock and taking advantage of any defensive lapses, the Nittany Lions hope to start their season with a statement win and set the tone for a successful campaign.
Three Keys to the Game for Penn State Football
Shut Down West Virginia’s Rushing Attack
Garrett Greene was the top big-play QB in the country in 2023, often using his legs to buy time and make plays. However, his 53% completion rate reveals inconsistency. Penn State must stifle WVU’s run game and force Greene to rely on his arm against a top-10 PSU secondary.
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Ball Control is Key for Penn State Football
With rain in the forecast, turnovers could be costly. Penn State needs to protect the ball and avoid mistakes that could keep West Virginia in the game.
Run, Run, Run
Leverage the strength of an elite backfield by utilizing Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Cam Wallace to wear down the WVU defense and control the clock.
Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki emphasized the importance of “dictating the flow of the game,” and this approach will be crucial.
MORE: Penn State’s Burning Questions vs. West Virginia
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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