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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.
Penn State Football Must Get These 5 Players Extended Playing Time vs. Purdue
Penn State Football enters the final three games of the 2024 season in a great position to reach the first College Football Playoff in program history.
Sitting at 8-1 on the season and ranked No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, things look good for Penn State to not only make the playoff if the Nittany Lions take care of business the next three weeks, but host a playoff game in Beaver Stadium in the inaugural 12-team playoff.
While the ultimate goal for the last three weeks of the regular season is to simply continue to win to put the Nittany Lions in the best possible position heading into selection Sunday, Saturday’s game gives Penn State a great opportunity to build depth for a potential playoff run with younger pieces that have not seen much action lately in the meat of the Big Ten schedule.
If everything goes according to plan for the Nittany Lions this weekend against the 1-8 Boilermakers, as 28-point favorites against an overmatched Purdue squad, Penn State will have the opportunity to give extended run to a few key younger members of the Nittany Lions roster before heading on the road to Minnesota.
5 Players Penn State Should Focus on Getting Extra Snaps vs. Purdue
Running Back Corey Smith
This pick is a two-for, with starting running back Nick Singleton playing through lingering injuries through the middle of the season.
Even though head coach James Franklin said he was “confident” Singleton would be able to go against Purdue after practice Wednesday night, if Penn State is able to get Singleton out of the game as early as possible Saturday, it could go a long way toward allowing him to get as healthy as possible for the college football playoff.
Corey Smith impressed in his first game action against Washington after assuming the running back three role with Penn State managing Quinton Martin’s redshirt status (who has already appeared in three of the possible four games this regular season to keep his redshirt).
Smith rushed for 95 yards on five carries, including a long run of 78 yards in Penn State’s whiteout win against Washington. Additional reps to get Smith more acclimated to the college game before the Nittany Lions possible playoff run would be ideal, in the case that Smith could see the field if Singleton or Kaytron Allen sustain a longer-term injury in the last few weeks of the season.
Safety Dejuan Lane
UCLA Bruins running back Keegan Jones (22) runs with the ball while attempting to avoid a tackle by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Dejuan Lane (Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)
Since then, Lane has gotten run in a few games but his snaps have taken a significant step back in the heart of Big Ten play. Allowing Lane to get an extended run against Purdue Saturday could give Jaylen Reed some much needed rest, after the star safety has played almost every snap for the Penn State defense in almost every game since Winston’s injury.
Getting the staff more comfortable with Lane at the safety position will also allow Jaylen Reed to take even more snaps at the Lion position in Penn State’s defense, where he has thrived this season.
Penn State freshman wide receiver Tyseer Denmark (Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)
Penn State Football has not seen much out of true freshman Tyseer Denmark after he turned heads during fall camp after enrolling this summer.
Denmark recorded one catch for 13 yards against Kent State earlier this season. With the Penn State wide receiver corps still looking for someone to step up on a consistent basis, it would be great to see Denmark get extra snaps Saturday to see what Penn State has in the young receiver.
Denmark may not be as big of an impact player down the line this season, but any extra development during his freshman season could go a long way for his future as a playmaker for Penn State’s offense.
Linebacker Anthony Speca
Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Anthony Speca (Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)
Penn State’s linebacker corps has been extremely thin this season. After Keon Wylie sustained a long-term injury this offseason and Abdul Carter made the move to defensive end, Penn State has been operating with a very tight rotation at a key position on the defense. Add Tyler Elsdon’s recent “bumps and bruises” to the mix and Penn State essentially hasn’t rotated at all in the room. This Saturday’s game against Purdue could be a good moment to allow Kobe King to get some much needed rest and allow true freshman Anthony Speca to get extended run at linebacker.
Speca led the Nittany Lions in tackles against Kent State earlier this season and has only played in two games thus far (Washington). With two more games available to keep his redshirt, Saturday’s game against Purdue seems like a great opportunity to allow the young linebacker to develop.
Cornerback Audavion Collins
Another player that generated substantial buzz ahead of the season and coming out of spring practice was cornerback Audavion Collins.
The Mississippi State transfer was praised by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith for his development in the offseason and Collins was finally able to show it off against Washington last Saturday. Playing in the fourth quarter against Washington, Collins recorded five tackles and a sack, showing off coverage skills, the ability to tackle in space, and willingness to play very physical.
Collins showed last week that he has a high potential in this defense and should have earned himself some extra snaps if everything goes according to plan for the Nittany Lions this weekend.
While the key for the weekend for Penn State is to get a win no matter how it looks, the Nittany Lions will be hoping to get some rest for their starters as well. If everything goes according to plan, hopefully we will see a healthy mix of backups and freshman in the second half against the Boilermakers en route to the Nittany Lions ninth win on the season.
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Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.
