Instant Analysis: Penn State offense smashes Maryland in 51-15 win
The Penn State Nittany Lions got an uplifting 51-15 win over Maryland on the road in College Park on Saturday. The Blue White Illustrated team of Greg Pickel and Nate Bauer, who were at the game, discuss the win afterward. Check out the complete video here or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel.
They discuss the offense and the potential emergence of wide receiver Dante Cephas, who caught two touchdowns during the win.
Cephas and Allar take steps in the win
While KeAndre Lamber-Smith remains the team’s top target, Cephas had his most productive game of the year in the win, with six catches for 53 yards and two red zone touchdowns. For Cephas, it’s simple. He’s happy to be playing.
“Just going out there executing with the team. You know, we’ve been doing it in practice all week. So just today, it felt great [to] just execute.”
It’s been a long road for the Kent State transfer who had to earn his new team’s trust once he got to the program in August.
“I’m just patient. I mean, I’m a team player. So, like, whenever the players come to come, like I said, and I just do what’s best for the team.I feel I’m the most confident and comfortable I’ve ever been. I mean, I’m doing what I need to do, helping the team win.
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Penn State offense puts it all together against aggressive defense
Cephas and the offense weren’t just productive; they were consistent. That’s been a significant theme for the receiver room and the group as a whole. Penn State head coach James Franklin emphasized that in his opening statement after the game.
“I thought offensively, probably the most important thing is we were able to stay on schedule on first and second down. We were efficient, creating manageable third-down situations. I thought the O-line did a great job of protecting the quarterback. Drew [Allar] was comfortable moving through his progressions and using his eyes to open people. And, we grinded out the run game,” Frankin said.
There was room to run in the secondary for Penn State’s pass catchers. The running game had a harder path with Maryland’s aggressive scheme. Franklin was proud of his team’s efforts in the trenches.
“They played an aggressive defense. They played a ton of covers zero. No safeties, overload the box for the run game, overload the protections in the pass game. And, we were able to get a lot of guys involved, which was good.”
