Special Teams
Grade: C-minus
This was not a grand debut for the Penn State special teams unit. Kicker [autotag]Sander Sahaydak[/autotag] missed each of his first two field goal attempts from 38 and 34 yards, respectively, in the first half. Those missed field goals prevented Penn State from creating separation and a two-score game before halftime. Alex Felkins attempted Penn State’s only field goal try of the second half, and he converted a 25-yard attempt. Felkins was good on all three of his extra-point attempts, and Sahaydak converted each of the two he attempted.
Nick Singleton returned one West Virginia kickoff for a 19-yard return and Kaytron Allen was dropped for a 2-yard loss on a punt return. Punter Riley Thompson was called on just twice. He punted once from the Penn State 40-yard line just 29 yards to allow West Virginia to start at their own 31-yard line, leading to a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 in the second quarter,
Special teams shortcomings didn’t hurt Penn State against West Virginia, and they likely will not cost Penn State too many games this season. But if there is an area that needs some improvement the most, it would be on special teams.