James Franklin details Daequan Hardy’s value as a punt returner

Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy put together a historic performance on Saturday against Massachusetts. The Nittany Lions senior ran back two punts for touchdowns, setting a school record and joining a group of just 25 FBS players to return two punts for TDs in one game since 2000.

It was the first game this season that Hardy served as the team’s punt returner after Kaden Saunders had filled that role in the five games prior. Speaking postgame, coach James Franklin opened up on what went into the decision to make a change, and how Hardy managed to rise to the occasion.

“I just kind of talked about that in the locker room with our guys,” he said. “Here’s a guy who you talk about opportunities. High school guys trying to create opportunities to go to college, college guys trying to create opportunities for certain roles, whatever it may be. He’s a perfect example. …Kaden had done a nice job of catching the ball all year long, but we weren’t very explosive. We weren’t making a ton of yardage. He was doing a nice job, but we’re looking to try to create some more big plays, not just on offense but in special teams as well.

“The catch percentage in practice was similar. So we wanted to get (Hardy) some opportunities and some reps and obviously he did a phenomenal job with it. So we got two guys that we feel like we can win with, but Day Day obviously showed tonight that he can be special.”

Hardy has been with Penn State since the 2019 season, but had never previously returned any punts throughout his college career. That didn’t stop him from going 56 yards to the end zone on his first return, then later returning another for 68 yards in the second half.

With that kind of performance, Hardy is sure to get more opportunities as a punt returner moving forward, but he’ll still maintain his role as a nickel on defense. He’s made an impact there as well with a pair of interceptions and three passes defended so far this season, as well a five tackles.

Franklin sees the value in both areas, and will continue to put it to use.

“Here’s a guy that’s been a nickel for us for multiple years,” the coach said. “Has really dominated that role all the way back to the Purdue game last year. That huge play he made on the slot fade late in the game was a huge play in the game. We started to play him a little bit more at corner now and he’s shown the ability to do that. Then on top of that now on special teams. He was in a lot of different roles but now specifically as a returner.

“This is gonna change things for us. This is gonna create issues for people that are evaluating us on film and something that’s gonna cause them long nights in how they’re gonna defend him. So guys that can make big plays and be explosive and protect the football are valuable and he’s done a phenomenal job for us. I’m not surprised. This is kind of who he’s been.”

Hardy will aim to carry over his performance into the biggest matchup of the season when Penn State travels to Columbus to face No. 3 Ohio State at noon ET on Saturday.