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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football, James Franklin

Penn State Football Blasts Illinois 21-7, But Major Concern Emerges

Robert ShieldsPenn State Football

Penn State Football edged out a 21-7 win over Illinois Saturday night. While the 14-point win was huge for Penn State’s season and Playoff potential, the game against Illinois exposed a major weakness in Penn State’s team.

Penn State Football has a kicking problem, one that could come back to sink the Nittany Lions later this season.

While Penn State won by 14 points, the Lions left plenty of potential points on the field Saturday night, missing two field goals and failing on fourth down instead of opting for a third field goal well within traditional “field goal range.”

Penn State Football

After winning the starting kicker job out of fall camp, redshirt Junior Sander Sahaydak came into the week two for three on field goals this season, missing his first and only attempt against West Virginia, a 47-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Sahaydak rebounded against Bowling Green, hitting from 28 yards and 43 yards.

But, Saturday night, Sahaydak struggled, missing both attempts from 40 yards. Penn State also went for it on fourth down from the Illinois 17 instead of opting to kick after Sahaydak missed the first field goal, ultimately failing to convert and turning the ball over on downs.

Penn State Football’s Kicking Woes Nothing New

Penn State Football
Sep 2, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions kicker Sander Sahaydak (93) reacts after missing a field goal during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Sahaydak also won the kicking job before missing two field goal attempts against West Virginia before being benched in favor of transfer senior Alex Felkins for the remainder of the season.

This season, again, it seems as though it is time to move on from Sander Sahaydak before its too late and missed field goals cost the Nittany Lions a game.

Perhaps importantly for the Nittany Lions, redshirt freshman Ryan Barker replaced Sahaydak in the final extra point attempt on the night. During fall camp, Penn State head coach James Franklin did not reveal the starting kicker until just before the matchup in Morgantown in week one, noting several times that the competition in the kicking room was close between Sahaydak, Barker, and Tulsa transfer Chase Meyer.

Now four games into the season, Penn State must revisit this competition and get confidence behind a kicker moving forward before it derails the Nittany Lions season.

Luckily for the Nittany Lions, the six or more points left on the field did not change the outcome of the game Saturday night, but moving forward, Penn State cannot afford to let the kicking game lose the Nittany Lions a game down the stretch.

Robert Shields
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