Tag: Joey Porter Jr.

James Franklin comments on Joey Porter’s pass interference penalty issues

What James Franklin said when asked about the number of costly penalties by Joey Porter Jr. this season

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Whenever a team loses a game by just a small handful of points, as Penn State did on Saturday at Michigan State, coaches will go back and take a hard look at the numerous moments that could have led to a much different result. For Penn State, there were a handful of moments James Franklin and the Nittany Lions would love to have back in their 30-27 loss to the Spartans. Joey Porter Jr. being flagged for pass interference in a key spot should be high on the list.

Porter Jr. was flagged for pass interference on Michigan State’s top receiver, Jayden Reed, on a 3rd-and-Goal play late in the third quarter. It is unknown if Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker would have taken his chances with a field goal from the 13-yard line with a walk-on back-up kicker in snowy conditions or considered that four-down territory, so just how costly the penalty was could be undetermined.

Regardless, the penalty on Porter gave Michigan State a fresh set of downs from the Penn State two-yard line, and three plays later Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne got a push up the middle for a go-ahead Spartans touchdown. Instead of potentially preserving a 20-17 lead, Penn State was now down 23-20, and the Spartans would not lose the lead for the rest of the game.

After the game, Franklin was asked about the concerns with Porter and his abundance of costly penalties this season. The head coach of the Nittany Lions didn’t come right out and single out Porter in his response, but instead seemed to focus on how the coaching staff can work with the entire secondary to improve their technique moving forward.

“We’ve got to help them with not using his hands and not be so grabby,” Franklin explained in his response, according to Lions 247. “Obviously, when you get a number of penalties like that, just like we do, people turn it in ahead of time and you’ve got a bull’s eye on you.”

Needless to say, Porter seems to have a bullseye on him.

Porter’s pass interference certainly wasn’t the only reason Penn State lost to Michigan State on Saturday. The defense, which had been excellent in the red zone all season long, gave up four red zone touchdowns on five red zone opportunities for the Spartans. everyone can take some blame in that. Penn State also lost the turnover battle, 2-1, and rushed for just 61 yards as a team. The defense simply could not get off the field enough either, giving up 9 third-down conversions in 18 attempts and three of four fourth-down conversion attempts by the Spartans.

For Porter, he has had some really good moments this season and has been a steady player when put on the field. But the costly penalties tend to stick out the most, and he has been called for far too many this season.

Add that to the list of things to work on in the offseason.

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Report Card: Grading the Nittany Lions after a win against Rutgers

Report Card: Grading Penn State’s victory over Rutgers, where the defense and special teams earn high honors

Things didn’t exactly go as planned for Penn State on senior day against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but the Nittany Lions still managed to get to the end of its final home game in Beaver Stadium on the winning side of things. And after the second half of the season playing out the way it has, that is not to take for granted.

Here are the grades for Penn State’s performance against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium.

Quarterback: A-

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps this is more a grade specifically for Christian Veilleux, but we’ll go with it in this situation. Sean Clifford started the game but didn’t reach the end of the first quarter. things were tough for Penn State’s starter before getting knocked out of the game for the second time this season, and it took a little bit of time before Veilleux got in a groove.

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But it was difficult not to be impressed by Veilleux’s anticipated debut, especially given the circumstances. Veilleux threw three touchdown passes and made a few plays with his feet as well. And, best yet, it all helped lead to a win in a game that started off as sluggish as it could get.

NEXT: Running Back

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s Loss to Ohio State

REPORT CARD: Grading Penn State’s individual performances in a loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes

Despite the loss, this was a different Penn State team from a week ago against Illinois. The Nittany Lions came in to Ohio Stadium in Week 9 with a chip on the shoulder and many doubted them. They opened the week as underdogs, giving Ohio State a three-touchdown favorite. However, Penn State still gave the Buckeyes a run for their money before coming up short in a 33-24 loss in Columbus.

Let’s take a more in-depth look and grade the performance of Penn State tonight.

Quarterbacks: A-

Oct 30, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Clifford came in this game with a chip on his shoulder, and boy did he show out. It was clear last week against Illinois that he was still banged up from his shoulder injury against Iowa. It also didn’t help that he didn’t practice much throughout the week leading into that game.

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Next: Running Backs

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Penn State football: Injury report roundup

Let’s get all caught up on the Penn State injury situation during the bye week

Penn State has the week off, but we have seen a whirlwind of events transpire these past few days, especially on the injury side of the Nittany Lions. Penn State has been lucky enough to have a very limited injury report this season. However, that wasn’t the case last weekend against Iowa.

Report Card: Grading Penn State’s win over Indiana

The grades are in for Penn State following their Week 5 win over Indiana

Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. Indiana struggled in every aspect of the game. On the other hand, the Nittany Lions were in full control of this game all night. There were plenty of key moments on both sides of the ball from Penn State.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the performance by Penn State in Week 5 and grade how each area did.

Quarterbacks: A-

Despite throwing an interception in the first half, which really was just good coverage, Sean Clifford had a heck of a game Saturday night. Even though Indiana has been up and down all season thus far, Clifford still looked more confident than ever. He continues to put himself on the map as one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

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Next: Running Backs

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Penn State’s defensive keys against Villanova

Penn State’s defense has been stellar this season, and that should continue against Villanova this weekend.

Penn State looks to follow up its big win over Auburn by avoiding a major letdown this weekend against Villanova. The defense has been locked in from the start of the season and the Nittany Lions should be in a good spot this weekend against the talented FCS program.

Let’s take a look at the top three defensive keys to a Nittany Lions win on Saturday.

Top 21 players for the Nittany Lions entering 2021

Penn State football returns soon. Who are the key players to watch for the Nittany Lions in 2021?

Penn State enters the 2021 college football season with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Following a rare losing season played during a pandemic, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are eager to prove they are better than their 2020 record would indicate. With a challenging schedule right out of the gate, Penn State will have plenty of opportunities to prove itself to the masses this fall.

And they will do so with enough talent on the roster to make some things happen. With experience at quarterback, one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten, and one of the nation’s top defensive secondaries to rely on, there are a lot of good ingredients for a successful season in Happy Valley. Every position has a chance to play a key role in the fortunes of Penn State this season too.

Here is a look at 21 key players Penn State has on the roster in 2021, listed in no particular order.

2021 Penn State depth chart projection: Defensive backs

Tariq Castro-Fields gives Penn State an experienced defensive back as a starter, but how does the rest of the DB depth look in 2021?

One strength Penn State should be able to rely on in the 2021 season will be in the defensive secondary. With key returning players in the backfield and a wealth of talent and potential in younger players on the roster, the stability of the secondary is one of Penn State’s best things going for it in the 2021 college football season.

The Big Ten is ripe with wide receiver talent with players like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson at Ohio State and Ty Fryfogle of Indiana and Ronnie Bell at Michigan. Penn State will face all of them in Big Ten East play.

Penn State may have one of the best safeties in the Big Ten in Jaquan Brisker, but the defensive backs are also in terrific shape with the return of Tariq Castro-Fields, the continued growth of players like Joey Porter Jr., and the arrival of freshman Kalen King. But how exactly will Penn State line up the defensive backs against an assortment of incredibly talented wide receivers in the Big Ten this season?

Here’s how the depth chart at defensive back may look for the Nittany Lions this fall.

2021 Penn State Nittany Lions Profile Card: Joey Porter Jr.

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will contribute to Penn State’s excellent secondary depth this upcoming season.

Name: Joey Porter Jr.

Number: 9

Position: Cornerback

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6′-2″

Weight: 195

Hometown: Bakersfield, CA

High School: North Allegheny (PA)

Twitter: @jjporter_1

Overview

Sometimes football just runs in the family. That is clearly the case for Penn State redshirt sophomore Joey Porter Jr. The son of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and cousin to a handful of former college football and NFL players, Joey Porter Jr. did not need too much time to showcase what he is capable of doing on the football field at the cornerback position.

The former four-star recruit committed to Penn State in December 2018 and appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2019. Appearing in just four games allowed Porter to retain a redshirt year of eligibility. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Porter appeared in eight of Penn State’s nine games played, including his first career start for the Nittany Lions. In those games, Porter made 33 tackles (24 solo tackles) and was credited for one sack and four pass breakups.

The fire and intensity he brings to the field is reminiscent of his father, but Porter is looking to make a name for himself. The flashes of brilliance have shown through and Porter appears to be a player who can keep himself motivated.

Porter was awarded All-Big Ten third team by the Big Ten media in 2020, and the coaches gave him an honorable mention at the end of the season. Entering 2021, Porter figures to be a key player in Penn State’s defensive secondary. But with the depth at the position being so strong, how many reps and opportunities Porter gets to shine remains to be seen. But he is too talented to keep off the field regularly, so expect Penn State to find ways to keep him involved in the game plan.

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Penn State football spring cleaning: 5 things the Nittany Lions need to address now for success in 2021

Penn State hopes to wrap up spring football feeling good about the 2021 season but what work could need to be done heading into the summer?

Penn State is in the midst of its spring football practices. A year after not having a chance to go through a typical spring, James Franklin and his Nittany Lions are embracing the opportunity to put in the work to potentially lead to a much stronger start to the 2021 season after last year’s dismal beginning.

After a stretch of three 11-win seasons in four years, highlighted by victories in the Fiesta Bowl and Cotton Bowl, Penn State’s national image took a bit of a bruising after a 4-5 2020 season. Despite lowered expectations on the national radar, there are some good reasons to be optimistic about what Penn State can accomplish in the fall despite having a challenging schedule on its hands.

A new offensive coordinator in Mike Yurcich combined with a third-year starting quarterback figures to put Penn State in a good spot for a solid start on offense. This is especially true with the emergence of one of the Big Ten’s top wide receivers in Jahan Dotson. But now is as good a time as any for Penn State to clean things up a little bit around the roster.

Here are a few things on the spring cleaning to-do list for the Nittany Lions that must be addressed if Penn State is going to be in the mix for a Big Ten championship in the fall.