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Penn State

Penn State head coach James Franklin following 46-11 win over Nevada: 'Overall, I was pleased'

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder08/31/25RyanSnyderOn3
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Penn State head coach James Franklin. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State started off its season as expected, outmatching Nevada in every facet of a 46-11 win to open the 2025 campaign.

While key starters like Drew Allar, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen all put up modest numbers offensively, Penn State scored on nine of its 10 drives. Allar finished the game with 217 yards passing, completing 22 of his 26 attempts with one touchdown. Allen had eight carries for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Singleton had eight carries for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

But the biggest takeaway offensively was the debuts of transfer wide receivers Trevor Pena and Kyron Hudson, both of whom looked great from start to finish. Hudson led the receivers with 89 yards on six receptions and one touchdown. Pena had seven receptions for 74 yards.

“Hudson looks very mature, very poised,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin after the game. He always came down with that ball that was left behind him, which should’ve been a touchdown to start the game. He just looks mature and strong and confident. Obviously, Pena did some really good things and we’ll continue to get [Devonte] Ross more involved as well.”

Game Balls: Penn State overwhelms visiting Wolf Pack, 46-11

Defensively, Penn State’s backups allowed Nevada’s only touchdown on the game’s final drive. The Wolf Pack did have four drives of eight plays or longer, but two turnovers on the first two drives set the tone for what would end up being a difficult day for Nevada’s offense. Penn State held Jeff Choate’s team to just 153 total yards of offense until that final drive. The Wolf Pack finished with 203 yards and averaged just 2.5 yards per rush.

Linebacker Amare Campbell, who also transferred to Penn State from North Carolina in the offseason, led the Nittany Lions with six tackles, but it was defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton who had the best showing defensively with five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles.

“He’s a well-rounded defensive end,” Franklin said. “There’s some guys across the country that are great pass rushers, there are some guys that are good against the run. He can do both. He’s a unique guy. He’s going to have a big-time year.”