How is Tyseer Denmark progressing; can the Penn State receivers make a statement Saturday?: Marques Hagans takeaways

If No. 3 Penn State is to remain unbeaten by outscoring No. 4 Ohio State on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, it will need to play its best game of the year. That will be the case at every position, including the oft-discussed receivers, who so far this year have come up strong in some big moments but still do not possess a game that can be pointed to as evidence that second-year assistant coach Marques Hagans’ group has fully taken a step forward.

To date, Trey Wallace leads the room with 22 receptions for 350 yards and two scores. No other Nittany Lion receiver has more than 14 receptions, and the group overall has just five receiving touchdowns on the season, which is just one more than tight end Tyler Warren and running back Nicholas Singleton’s team-leading four scores through the air.

To some, that all might make Saturday an opportunity for the Lions’ receivers to make a statement against a talented Buckeyes secondary in a top-five, nationally-televised showdown. However, speaking Thursday, Hagans shot down that idea in favor of a common message from within the program: No one game is bigger than any other.

“I just feel like this group has a chance to come out and play our best brand of football and do whatever is required for our team to get the win,” Hagans said. “That’s the focus. Nothing more, nothing else. Work our ass off this whole week and prepare, be ready to go, and [do] whatever the team needs us to do to help us be 1-0, that’s the main goal. That’s the ultimate focus, and that’s what we’re preparing to do.”

How is the Penn State freshmen receiver class progressing?

The Lions signed three receivers in the Class of 2024. One of them, Josiah Brown, came to campus off of an injury suffered midway through his senior season. Another, Peter Gonzalez, suffered a long-term injury early in his time in State College. Then, there’s Tyseer Denmark, a former three-star who arrived this summer and with hopes of breaking into the rotation. Here’s what Hagans had to say on the trio of first-year Penn State pass catchers:

On Denmark:

“He’s doing really well in the classroom. The transition from high school to college, he’s doing really well in the classroom, and I’m excited about that. He has a really high ceiling. He’s diving into the day-to-day of managing being a student-athlete, and the game, as far as knowing what to do, is slowing down for him. There’s a lot of football left. So, hopefully that process continues. And, really excited for what he’ll bring to the to the group when the time is right.

“But right now, he’s just focused on being a really good football player and understanding the foundation of the scheme that we put in our offense. He’s getting better each week.”

More: Penn State set to host five-star flip target for matchup with Ohio State

On Brown:

“Josiah is just working hard every day, just working to get better and fighting to get in the rotation. But every day and every week he continues to work hard and get better. So excited for what his future looks like.”

On Gonzalez:

“Peter’s just finding ways behind the scenes, and coming up with scouting reports on the secondary that we’re getting ready to play. He takes notes at the practice. He’s working extremely hard in the weight room to get back healthy. And you know, he’s just kind of found his niche of being a part of football while he’s recovering and getting back healthy. So definitely excited about those two guys, and looking forward to their future here.”

Read Hagans’ full Q&A on The Lions Den message board

Blue-White Illustrated subscribers can read Hagans’ full question and answer session with reporters by clicking HERE.

Not a subscriber? CLICK HERE and use promo code JOIN50 to sign up for BWI today while getting 50 percent off an annual subscription billed monthly. Doing so gets you access to premium team news, insider recruiting intel, and insight you won’t find anywhere else as Penn State gears up for its biggest game of the year on Saturday.