Tag: Amin Vanover

Photos of Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl celebration

Check out the best photos from Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl celebration.

No bowl game has been as celebrated in Penn State history like the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions improved to 8-0 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl when it took care of Boise State in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff on the final day of 2024. Penn State took an early lead and never trailed despite Boise State making things dicey in the middle of the game. A strong running game, big catches by Tyler Warren, and big plays by the defense helped Penn State pull away from the Broncos in Glendale, Arizona, and punch a ticket into the semifinal round of the playoff.

After the game, blue and white confetti fell on an on-field postgame celebration complete with the awarding of the Fiesta Bowl trophy and postgame MVP honors for Warren and Zakee Wheatley.

You can see some photos from the game, but below are some photos from the postgame celebration on the field.

Penn State will now head to the Orange Bowl for one of the College Football Playoff semifinals. Penn State will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame. The Orange Bowl is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Penn State advances after 31-14 Fiesta Bowl victory over Boise State

Penn State’s running game and defense overpowered Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Next up, the Orange Bowl and the semifinal round!

In the first meeting between Penn State and Boise State, two teams who combined for a perfect 10-0 record all-time in Fiesta Bowl appearances, the Nittany Lions never trailed in a 31-14 win over the Broncos. Penn State is the first team to punch its spot in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff with the win.

After the defense did well to contain Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty on the opening drive again and force Boise State to settle for a field goal attempt, which was tipped and failed, Penn State went to work flexing its muscle with its running game. Fueled by some strong runs and bursts by [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] and a couple of nice gains by [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag], Penn State maneuvered itself down the field on its first offensive possession. [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] completed a terrific pass to tight end [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] in the back of the end zone as Warren managed to grab the football and get a foot down for the first score of the game.

Penn State took a 14-0 lead later in the first quarter when Allar took a deep shot to [autotag]Omari Evans[/autotag], who managed to beat his defender down the field for a 38-yard reception. After the defense forced a fumble by Jeanty in the second quarter, it appeared Penn State was set to go on cruise control and open up a three-score lead, but a botched exchange between Allar and Singleton put the ball on the ground for the Boise State defense. That turnover and an apparent arm injury to Abdul Carter helped spark the Broncos to a touchdown drive to cut into the lead. Penn State would take a 17-7 lead into halftime with a [autotag]Ryan Barker[/autotag] field goal to close the half.

But the offense started flat in the second half and the Broncos took advantage of a blown coverage for a 53-yard touchdown throw from Maddux Madsen to a wide-open tight end Matt Lauter to cut the Penn State lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter.

Penn State had an answer, and it came with another grueling touchdown drive highlighted by a pair of third-and-longs and a touchdown catch in the red zone from Allar to Warren. Penn State took a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter and [autotag]Zakee Wheatley[/autotag] started the final quarter off with a big interception on a third-and-long. It was his second forced turnover of the game after recovering a Jeanty fumble in the first half.

Penn State was unable to capitalize and put the game firmly out of reach, which left Boise State with some life. Jeanty delivered his biggest run of the night to convert on a 3rd-and-21 deep in Boise State’s end, and the Broncos worked their way down the field and into the red zone. But the defense, stood tall with a key [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag] sack and Boise State’s field goal attempt sailed just wide right to keep Penn State up by 10 points with 9:20 remaining on the clock.

Penn State worked a few minutes off the clock, but Singleton put the game on ice with a 58-yard touchdown run right up the middle of the Boise State defense. The touchdown gave Penn State a commanding 31-14 lead with just under five minutes to play. [autotag]Zion Tracy[/autotag] picked off a pass from Madsen on Boise State’s ensuing possession to lock down the win.

Penn State rushed for 217 yards. Jeanty became just the second player to rush for 100 yards against Penn State this season, but the defense did prevent him from chasing down the NCAA’s single-season rushing record held by Barry Sanders. Jeanty needed 132 yards to break Sanders’ record but ended his night with 104 rushing yards.

Penn State will move on to the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Liopns will head to Miami to play in the Orange Bowl and will fscr the winner of the Sugar Bowl matchup between SEC champion Georgia and Notre Dame. Georgia enjoyed the bye in the first round while Notre Dame handled Indiana in the first round in South Bend, Indiana. The Orange Bowl is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025.

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Best photos from Penn State’s one-point win at Minnesota

Check out the best images from Penn State’s thriller of a victory over Minnesota.

No win in college football is ever to be considered easy, but this latest one for Penn State was one of the more nerve-racking games of the season for the Nittany Lions. Penn State did manage to come out on top of the Gophers with a 26-25 win that truly tested the mental strength of the program when faced with some adversity.

From injuries left and right on the turf to having to overcome special teams meltdowns and the inability to convert in short-yardage situations, Penn State dug deep to climb back from a 10-0 deficit and a small halftime deficit to improve to 10-1 on the year, and keeping Big Ten title hopes alive and well going into the final week of the regular season.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s one-point victory at Minnesota.

Penn State will close out the regular season at home next week against Maryland. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. Penn State can clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game with a win over the Terrapins if Ohio State is upset by Michigan next Saturday.

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Chop Robinson OUT vs. Indiana

Penn State rules DE Chop Robinson out vs. Indiana in pregame player availability report.

It was likely anticipated that Penn State would be without the services of defensive end Chop Robinson on Saturday against Indiana. Those expectations were met with the release of Penn State’s player availability report leading up to kickoff against the Hoosiers from Beaver Stadium.

Robinson was officially ruled out of action for the Indiana game. Robinson, who left last week’s game at Ohio State after a blow to the head, was one of 12 players listed as out for the home game against the Hoosiers.

Here is a look at everyone ruled out by Penn State:

  • Tyler Johnson
  • Mehki Flowers
  • Elliot Washington II
  • Tyler Holzworth
  • Feyisayo Oluleye
  • Chop Robinson
  • Kaveion Keys
  • Ian Harvie
  • Liam Powers
  • Jim Fitzgerald
  • Andrew Rappleyea
  • Smith Vilbert

Penn State also listed four players as questionable for the game, including Amin Vanover. Here is who is listed as questionable for the Nittany Lions:

  • Amin Vanover
  • Mason Stahl
  • Carmelo Taylor
  • Mason Robinson

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Status of Chop Robinson still unknown for Indiana game

After a blow to the head last week, it remains uncertain if Penn State will have this top defensive player this weekend.

Penn State defensive end [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] has been regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the nation this season. This is why his departure from last week’s game at Ohio State after taking a blow to the head was especially noteworthy. After leaving and not returning last week in Columbus, head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] remains uncertain what the status of Robinson may be this weekend against Indiana.

Franklin said this week he hopes to see Robinson return sooner rather than later, but there has been no public comment on whether sooner could be as soon as this weekend in Beaver Stadium.

Obviously, when it comes to head trauma, there is more caution than ever before in the history of the sport of football. And while cameras caught some potentially disturbing results following his collision last weekend, it is always better to play things as safely as possible before rushing any player back on the field. The Big Ten also has pretty strong concussion procedures to help ensure no player is back on the field when they probably should not be.

Franklin did note he does not believe Robinson’s medical concern will be of the season-ending variety. That is always positive news.

If Robinson is not available, as most seem to believe will ultimately be the case, expect Penn State to bump [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] into the starting role for the week. But also expect some opportunities for freshman [autotag]Jamieal Lyons[/autotag] to get involved. This weekend would be his fourth appearance, the last before exhausting a redshirt season of eligibility for this season.

It also helps that Penn State should be able to get by this week without one of their top defensive players. Penn State hosts Indiana this weekend. Both teams are coming off a loss, and Penn State should be able to use the home cooking to get back on track against a Hoosiers program that is 0-4 in Big Ten play this season and just 2-5 overall. Indiana’s only two wins this season have come against Indiana State, an FCS school, and Akron, by two points in overtime.

Indiana has been outscored 44-17 at Maryland, 52-7 at Michigan, and 31-14 at home against Rutgers coming into this weekend’s matchup with the Nittany Lions. So Penn State’s defense should be in good shape, and the offense could have the stage set for a nice confidence boost after last week’s demoralizing performance.

Some positive injury updates?

There is good news for Penn State’s injury report, however. Offensive guard [autotag]JB Nelson[/autotag] may be fully available this week after having his own medical scare a few weeks back at Northwestern. He may even get the start at guard this week.

[autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag] could possibly return to the field this weekend as well. Vanover also left the Ohio State game with an injury last week. He is said to be a game-day decision for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State hosts Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

Best photos from Penn State’s blowout of UMass

Best photos from Penn State’s homecoming win over UMass.

The weather may not have been fantastic, but just about everything else about Penn State’s victory over UMass was. From big special teams returns, a monster defensive performance, and steady offensive production against an overmatched opponent, Penn State was ready to send the fans and alums home with a win to smile about.

Penn State dominated UMass, 63-0, in front of a homecoming crowd willing to sit through the first batch of cold and damp fall weather to his State College for a football Saturday this season. And it did lead to some memorable photos to look back on as well.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s latest win against the UMass Minutemen in Week 7 of the college football season.

Penn State availability report for Illinois released

Penn State availability report: Daequan Hardy actuive, Harrison Wallace III listed as questionable vs. Illinois

Penn State is about to open up its Big Ten slate on the road at Illinois for a noon eastern kickoff on national TV, and the depth at wide receiver could be a slight concern for the matchup. Penn State’s player availability report for Week 3 against Illinois confirmed the Nittany Lions will be without wide receiver [autotag]Malick Meiga[/autotag] and [autotag]Harrison Wallace III[/autotag] is listed as questionable.

The big news with the latest player availability report from Penn State is cornerback [autotag]Daequan Hardy[/autotag], defensive tackle [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag], and defensive end [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag] are all active.

Wallace III is Penn State’s second-leading receiver after the first two games of the season. Wallace is tied for a team-high 10 receptions and has 98 receiving yards.

Meiga has appeared in just one game this season, in which he caught 1 pass for 7 yards. This is the second game in a row Meiga, who contributes mostly on special teams will be out of action.

Penn State has also ruled out defensive end [autotag]Smith Vilbert[/autotag] for the game this weekend. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle [autotag]Kaleb Artis[/autotag] is also listed as questionable for the game this weekend against Illinois.

Illinois has a largely clean availability report. The only player on this week’s report from the Illini is defensive back Demetrius Hill, who will be out.

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2023 Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 15 Amin Vanover

What to expect from Penn State defensive end Amin Vanover in 2023.

Going into the 2023 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.

Sporting a new uniform number this year, and continuing in our player-by-play preview, is [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag]. Vanover is entering his fourth season with the program and could be one of the top backups on the roster at a key position. Here is a snapshot look at Vanover entering the 2023 college football season.

Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 56 Amin Vanover

Snapshot profile of Penn State defensive end Amin Vanover heading into 2022.

Going into the 2022 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] this season.

The next player is defensive end [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag]. Vanover has had limited snaps for Penn State in his two years with the teams thus far.

However, he looks to hopefully earn more time on the field in 2022, with even more competition, headlined by defensive end [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag].

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PJ Mustipher finding other ways to lead while continuing rehab

New Penn State defensive cooridnator Manny Diaz is among those impressed with the leadership of rehabbing PJ Mustipher this spring.

Penn State’s defensive line has been a fairly consistent unit over the years, and one where the ability to create playmakers has been demonstrated routinely. A year removed from sending [autotag]Odafe Oweh[/autotag] off to the first round of the NFL draft, the eyes are on [autotag]Arnold Ebiketie[/autotag] to see if he can sneak into the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Meanwhile, in State College, [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag] is coming back for one more season with Penn State with the hopes of becoming another early-round draft pick. But before that, he needs to continue rehabbing from a knee injury that has placed him on the sidelines this spring.

Despite being inactive on the practice field, Mustipher has been providing the kind of leadership that he will be relied on in his sixth season of eligibility. And it did not take long for Mustipher to show new defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] why he will be a valuable asset to the defensive line.

“[Mustipher] is not even practicing but, man, you feel his presence every day,” Diaz said to reporters, according to Lions 247. “And he makes sure that he’s on the defensive lineman. He’s on the defense in general.”

Mustipher has been helping to keep his teammates fired up and driving to improve this spring. Among those benefitting from Mustipher’s leadership and encouragement has been newcomer Zane Durant, who has been raising eyebrows this spring after enrolling early with other members of the Class of 2022.

The defensive line looks to be one of the most exciting position groups for Penn State in 2022, and the eventual return of a healthy Mustipher will be a key part of that equation. The early opportunity for Durant to get involved will be helpful, as will the eventual arrivals of [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] (five-star addition in the Class of 2022) and Maryland transfer [autotag]Demeioun Robinson[/autotag].

Despite not having any of those three players in the Blue-White Game, the entire defensive line unit will be worth watching in the Penn State spring game. The unit did lose promising Zuriah Fisher for the 2022 season due to a spring injury recently, but eyes will be on [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] (who is coming off his own injury from last season) and [autotag]Nick Tarburton[/autotag]. The Blue-White Game should also be a good opportunity for other players to get some good playing time, including [autotag]Smith Vilbert[/autotag], [autotag]Rodney McGraw[/autotag], and [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag].

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