Tag: Barney Amor

5 players who can improve their stock at Penn State’s Pro Day

Here are 5 players that can improve their stock by good performances at Penn State’s Pro Day.

Penn State is hosting their Pro Day on March 24th, inviting scouts from NFL teams to watch former Nittany Lions go through drills.

13 players are getting the opportunity to showcase their skills and meet with personnel to improve their draft stock. There are the names like [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] who have solidified themselves as picks, but there are also fringe players hoping to hear their names called in the late rounds.

The list of participants on the offensive side of the ball include, quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Juice Scruggs[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag], wide receivers [autotag]Mitchell Tinsley[/autotag] and [autotag]Parker Washington[/autotag].

The defensive players participating are, defensive tackle [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Nick Tarburton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Jonathan Sutherland[/autotag], cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

Three specialists will also showcase their skills. Long snapper [autotag]Chris Stoll[/autotag], punter [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag] and kicker [autotag]Jake Pinegar[/autotag] will be going through drills and meeting NFL teams.

Here are five players that can improve their draft stock by performing well at the Pro Day.

Penn State adds FAU punter from transfer portal

Penn State adds a punter from the transfer portal

Penn State is expecting a big week with the opening of the early signing period on the college football recruiting calendar, but the Nittany Lions added to the program with an addition from the transfer portal on Saturday. Punter [autotag]Riley Thompson[/autotag] announced on his Twitter account on Saturday he has committed to Penn State and will join the program in 2023.

The Australian native kicker will have one final year of eligibility left to use at Penn State despite being listed as a freshman on FAU’s roster in the 2022 season. That is because his eligibility actually started in Australia before moving to FAU.

Thompson will be a top candidate to handle Penn State’s punting duties in 2023 after losing [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag], who proved to be a reliable asset following [autotag]Jordan Stout[/autotag]. Penn State has one of the top punters in the Class of 2022 with [autotag]Alex Bacchetta[/autotag] to look forward to as well, but Thompson is coming off a solid season at FAU.

Thompson had the 10th-best punting average this season with an average of 45.75 yards per punt according to CFBstats.com.

The early signing period officially opens on Wednesday, December 21 and closes on Friday, December 23.

Penn State will face Pac-12 champion Utah in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2023.

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s lopsided win over Maryland

The grades are in for Penn State in the postgame report card following a decisive victory over Maryland

After a 30-0 victory over a regional rival, you would think there are plenty of high marks to award around the Penn State roster. And there are! But the final score and box score shows that the game was fueled by a strong effort by a freshman running back and a dominant defense while other areas of the roster sort of coasted on their wings. Sometimes that is OK though, especially when the rain starts coming into the picture.

Here is a look at the position grades for Penn State following its Week 11 victory over Maryland.

Quarterback

Nov 12, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B-

[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] didn’t exactly do much in the game, outside of becoming the school’s new all-time leading passer, but he also didn’t really have to. All in all, this was an average game at best form the sixth-year senior, and that is OK given the matchup and result.

[autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] got a little more than a quarter of playing time as well, but he also didn’t have to do too much other than get Penn State to the finish line as the rain started coming down. [autotag]Christian Veilleux[/autotag] actually finished the game.

NEXT: Running Backs

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Report Card: Penn State defense gets ‘A’ in win over Indiana

Penn State defense shines in the postgame report card after Indiana win.

Following a full team victory the way Penn State had in Week 10 against Indiana, there are plenty of compliments to be handed out with few negative criticisms. It could have been incredibly easy for a team to fold on the road a week after a tough loss to Ohio State, but the Nittany Lions responded in a positive way by going on the road and letting talent prevail in a defensive mismatch.

Penn State’s defense was stellar and the offense took care of business against an undermanned Indiana team scuffling into November and down the final stretch of the regular season.

Here are the grades for Penn State, position by position, following its 45-14 victory at Indiana on Saturday.

Quarterback

Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a pass during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B

[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] turned in a solid enough of a day throwing the football to ensure Penn State would emerge victorious. With over 200 passing yards and an interception that was tipped by his receiver, it was more than adequate enough to feel good before coming out of the game as freshman [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] got some reps in the second half.

Allar made the most of his quarter and a half running the offense with a pair of touchdowns, some nicely-placed passes with zip, and showing off the ability to read what Indiana was trying to do defensively to make some adjustments at the line.

All in all, this was just what [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] would have wanted.

NEXT: Running Backs

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s performance vs. Ohio State

The grades are in for Penn State after the loss to Ohio State, and it’s time to assess a few things.

In what seemed to be a very promising performance, the floor fell out on James Franklin and Penn State just as quick as it was built.

Penn State had this game and should’ve won this game when they had no business of it. Three turnovers and they were within one score before it fell apart in the second half of the fourth quarter. This won’t be a very happy report card but it will be an honest one.

Quarterback

Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: F

The gloves are off for this one, [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] is the reason Penn State didn’t win today. I am not saying that [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] would’ve done any better but Clifford and his turnovers made this game what it was.

Now, he has his record as the school’s passing touchdown leader and with that he needs to transition to the role of mentor. Let Drew Allar start getting some starts as the schedule starts to get easy so he is primed for next year. Starting Clifford serves zero purpose for the bigger picture of this team.

NEXT: Running backs

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s performance vs. Minnesota

Grading Penn State’s performance against Minnesota sees many high marks to go around.

The game was tight to start but Penn State eventually got its groove that it lost in Ann Arbor back. Minnesota presented a challenge early but the emergence of some veteran names that had been absent all year ended up making a difference.

This ended up being one of the easier report cards to do which hopefully makes you folks happy. We see you in the comments so hopefully, this near-perfect performance gives you a near-perfect reading experience.

Quarterback

Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: A+

Easily the best game of the year was this one for [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag]. He was hitting his receivers and tight ends at all levels of the field, great velocity, and smart decision making. You can’t ask for much more from the sixth year senior. Sprinkle in a late game touchdown drive by [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] and you have a perfect night for the quarterbacks.

NEXT: Running backs

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Report Card: Penn State flunks mid-term exam at Michigan

The grades are in for Penn State’s mid-term exam at Michigan, and they are not pretty.

After a loss like the one Penn State took on Saturday, it is incredibly difficult to find much of a silver lining. Penn State was dominated up front and all over the field on Saturday by Michigan in a 41-17 setback, Penn State’s first of the season. And with two challenging games still in front of them, there was not a whole lot to feel good about afterward.

But it really is just one game for Penn State and the good news is they will return home next weekend against another team going through some things on their own. But this game does need one final evaluation to put everything to rest.

Quarterback

Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) rushes in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: D

Sean Clifford never really had much to work with thanks to a solid approach by the Michigan defense, which included pressure in the backfield for the majority of the game. Clifford didn’t have any turnovers, and he did have the longest play of the game by the Penn State offense, but he was rendered largely ineffective outside of a couple of nice plays that will easily be forgotten.

Drew Allar got some playing it me in the fourth quarter with the game all but official, but there was nothing to really take from it other than getting some experience on the road.

NEXT: Running Backs

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Penn State punter Barney Amor honored by Big Ten

Penn State punter Barney Amor receives weekly Big Ten honor for first time.

One of Penn State’s breakout heroes this season has been punter [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag]. Amor, who has been a model of consistency this season on special teams, was finally honored by the Big Ten for his performance on the field. As Lizzo would say, it’s about damn time.

Amor was named the Big Ten’s special teams player of the week for Week 5. In a rainy game against Northwestern, Amor punted five times with an average of 40.0 yards per punt, Four of his five punts landed inside the 20-yard line, with three downed inside the 10-yard line. Amor’s ability to flip the field has come in handy and should continue to do so this season.

The last Penn State player to be named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week was [autotag]Jordan Stout[/autotag], last September.

Here are this week’s Big Ten players of the week:

  • Offensive Player of the Week: Miyan Williams, RB, Ohio State
  • Defensive Player of the Week: Cam Allen, S, Purdue
  • Special Teams Player of the Week: Barney Amor, P, Penn State
  • Freshman of the Week: Malcolm Hartzog, CB, Nebraska

A Penn State player has won at least one Big Ten weekly award each week this season. [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] was the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week after Week 1. [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week in Week 2 and Week 3. [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] was named Defensive Player of the Week after Week 3 as well. [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] was the Freshman of the Week in Week 4.

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Report card: Grading Penn State’s Week 5 performance against Northwestern

The grades are in for Penn State after its win against Northwestern. The Penn State report card is here.

This game was something else.

Five turnovers, seven penalties and 17 points later Penn State somehow found a way to win it’s Big Ten home opener. Coach James Franklin is going to have a lot to look at over the next two weeks as the Nittany Lions prepare for Michigan in Ann Arbor.

For now, let’s look at what is arguably the ugliest report card of the season for Penn State.

Quarterback

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: D-minus

[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] demonstrated today that as the season progresses the staff may need to install more plays and packages for [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag]. Clifford’s arm was exposed by the rain and the field conditions, and that can’t happen as this season goes. By playing Ohio State and Maryland late in the season, the Nittany Lions may encounter this kind of weather or worse down the stretch. Best to keep Allar warm in case of emergency.

NEXT: Running backs

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Best Twitter reactions to Penn State’s win vs. Northwestern

Check out these social media reactions to Penn State’s win over Northwestern

You never have to fear finding any negative commentary when things are not going well for Penn State. Even when Penn State manages to win a game, it was a performance like Saturday’s 17-7 victory over Northwestern that left plenty to be desired for a number of fans. In rainy conditions in Beaver Stadium, those watching from the comfort and warmth of home had plenty to say about the Penn State offense coughing up the football routinely and the defense coming through with big plays all game long.

Even after the game, there was plenty for reactions to sift through as fans seemed happy to get the win but unhappy with how it got there. Here are some of the best reactions and comments found on Twitter during Saturday’s 17-7 victory over the Wildcats, which improved Penn State to 5-0 for the season and sends the Nittany Lions into a bye week with some work to do before a tough three-game stretch to close out the month of October.