New Penn State punt returner Daequan Hardy could be key weapon vs. Ohio State

Heading into a monumental clash with Ohio State, Penn State might just have found a new weapon in the form of punt returner Daequan Hardy.

Hardy was a revelation at the position in a 63-0 win over UMass this weekend when the Nittany Lions turned to him for a spark at the position. He could be a serious weapon going forward.

“Penn State’s special teams this year has been up and down,” Blue White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz said on the Andy Staples On3 show. “They’ve been good at covering things, but the return game has not had a spark at all. Nick Singleton was the guy last year at kick return. At punt return they put Kaden Saunders back there this year and just not a ton of initiative, really, you could say.”

Things immediately changed when Hardy was given the green light to return punts.

“Daequan Hardy went back there, he’s returned three punts now this season for 129 yards, 43 yard average,” Fitz said. “Nice job if you can get it, two touchdowns this weekend to UMass. But to add that element to your special teams, or to add the threat of that element to your special teams, it can change things.”

Hardy broke open the scoring against the Minutemen late in the first quarter when he returned a punt 56 yards for a score. It would be just his first of two scores on the afternoon, and not the longest.

Late in the third quarter, Hardy struck again, this time with Penn State well in front. He made the score 49-0 with a 68-yard return for a score.

That ability may well come in handy in this weekend’s clash with Ohio State. Penn State has not been able to get over the hump against the Buckeyes of late, with its last win in the series coming back in 2016.

“You look at a game in Columbus, that is a game that so many things are going to be slanted to Ohio State just because the home field advantage is one of the best in college football,” Fitz said. “You can break one of those plays, 2017 Saquon Barkley takes the opening kickoff back and that sets the stage for what should have been a win. Penn State kind of vomited all over themselves there at the end and lost it, but it’s really a different element that you can add to this special teams unit.”

New punt returner Daequan Hardy might be freshly introduced at the position, but he’ll instantly become a fan favorite — even moreso than he already is — by housing a kick against the Buckeyes.

Penn State will take all the help it can get.

“Penn State needs points any way they can get them,” Fitz said. “And if they can get them through punt return, they’re going to need it.”