The NFL calendar is already pushing past the quarter-mark, and a few former Penn State standouts are starting to make their presence felt in a big way.
Week 4 brought another busy slate for Nittany Lions across the league, with several of them finding the end zone and others carving out key roles for their teams. From Monday night production to a handful of tight ends staying busy in the passing game, Penn State alums were all over the stat sheet.
Jahan Dotson gave the Atlanta Falcons a lift on Monday Night Football, catching two passes for 54 yards and his first touchdown of the season. For Penn State’s last 1,000-yard receiver, it was a clean, productive night and a welcome trip to the end zone.
Pat Freiermuth kept doing what he’s done all season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing with three catches for 17 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 loss to the Browns. Through four games, he’s up to 14 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Mike Gesicki also kept the scoring streak rolling for the Cincinnati Bengals. He posted three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, giving him three touchdowns in four games. That already matches the kind of early-season pace he’ll be happy with, especially after recording five touchdowns in 2022.
Odafe Oweh made one of the most impactful plays of the group while with the Washington Commanders. The former first-round pick, now in his first year with Washington, logged a tackle for loss, got to Colts quarterback Daniel Jones for a sack on the opening drive, forced a fumble, and recovered it himself.
Tyler Warren stayed busy as a target for Daniel Jones with the Indianapolis Colts, hauling in five passes for 41 yards. He’s now the team’s second-leading receiver.
Theo Johnson found the end zone for the New York Giants in their 36-24 win. He caught his only target for a touchdown, giving him his second reception and first score of the season.
In Other News...
Penn State Heads Into White Out With One Huge Offensive Problem
Penn State heads into the White Out still searching for something more dependable on offense after Matt Campbell acknowledged the issues that surfaced in the loss to Northwestern. The head coach said the group has not settled into an identity, and he pointed to the need for better play across the unit as the Nittany Lions try to steady themselves in a big home atmosphere.
Koby Howard remains part of the longer-term conversation, with Campbell saying the wide receiver is still a few weeks away from returning. For now, the bigger concern is whether Penn State can turn frustration into structure, because Campbell has made clear that building a consistent team culture has to go hand in hand with fixing the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Is Still Paying For Its James Franklin Decision
Penn States decision to move on from James Franklin in October came with a clear ambition attached to it: the program wanted a coach who could get it all the way to a national championship. Instead, the aftermath turned into a long and messy coaching search that stretched on, created recruiting damage and made it harder to line up the next head coach than the school likely expected when it made the move after a 3-3 start to the previous season.
Matt Campbell is now in his first year on the sideline, and the Nittany Lions are 3-2, but the broader picture still looks unsettled. Several candidates declined or withdrew during the search, and the on-field results have been uneven enough to keep the pressure on a program that made a bold bet on a higher ceiling and is still living with the costs of trying to reach it. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Transfer-Heavy Roster Faces A Bigger Big Ten Problem
Penn States promising climb from No. 18 to No. 13 has hit a rough patch in Big Ten play, with back-to-back losses exposing the kinds of issues that tend to show up when the schedule gets heavier and more physical. The Nittany Lions fell 24-20 to Wisconsin and then were beaten 34-13 by Northwestern, a stretch that has turned attention back to a roster built largely through transfers and the growing pains that can come with that kind of overhaul.
James Franklin has pointed to consistency and physicality as the main concerns, and linebacker Cael Brezina has echoed that message from the defensive side. With USC next on the schedule, the coaching staff is leaning into more physical practices and a return to fundamentals, hoping that the group can sharpen the details before the Big Ten grind raises the stakes even further. [Read more 🡒]