Tag: Tariq Castro-Fields

Here are all 32 football players being recognized on Penn State’s senior day

Sean Clifford, Jahan Dotson, Jaquan Brisker, Journey Brown among those being honored at Penn State’s senior day

Penn State will play its final game in Beaver Stadium for the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon against Rutgers. And with this being the final home game of the season, it is the final opportunity for 32 players to step foot on the field inside Beaver Stadium for a game. Penn State will recognize 32 players for senior day festivities prior to kicking off against Rutgers on Saturday.

Of course, this is a slightly different type of senior day. Of the 32 players being recognized on Saturday afternoon, three players will be going through the senior day ceremony for a second time. Jaquan Brisker, Tariq Castro-Fields, and Ben Wilson were all recognized in Penn State’s senior day ceremony last season, but the NCAA allowed all players to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the entire sports world. So those three players opted for one more season in Happy Valley.

Of note, Penn State will recognize Sean Clifford, who could still potentially return for another season in 2022 (also a result of the NCAA’s decision on extra years of eligibility for all). Clifford isn’t the only player who can take advantage of that option, but there remains plenty of discussion on whether or not Clifford will return for another season.

Clifford’s top receiving target, Jahan Dotson, will also be recognized. Although Dotson could return for another season as well, there is no suggestion he will do so. Dotson is expected to be one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2022 NFL draft, and some believe he could be a first-round pick.

Penn State will also recognize Journey Brown. Brown was forced to medically retire prior to the 2020 season after learning of a health concern that made continuing playing football a risky endeavor.

Here is the full list of players Penn State will honor during the senior day, as provided by Penn State’s athletics department;

  • Jaquan Brisker
  • Ellis Brooks
  • Journey Brown
  • Tariq Castro-Fields
  • Rafael Checa
  • Max Chizmar
  • Sean Clifford
  • Jahan Dotson
  • Arnold Ebiketie
  • Winston Eubanks
  • Henry Fessler
  • Fred Hansard
  • Drew Hartlaub
  • Vlad Hilling
  • Des Holmes
  • Bradley King
  • Will Knutsson
  • Kaleb Konigus
  • John Lovett
  • Jesse Luketa
  • Jordan Miner
  • Mike Miranda
  • PJ Mustipher
  • Jordan Stout
  • Cam Sullivan-Brown
  • Johnathan Sutherland
  • Derrick Tangelo
  • Dan Vasey
  • Justin Weller
  • Anthony Whigan
  • Ben Wilson
  • Eric Wilson

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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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Inside the box score: Key stats from Penn State’s win over Villanova

Inside the box score: Penn State had a big day through the air against Villanova in Week 4

Penn State had themselves a game today, defeating Villanova 38-17. Sean Clifford continues to look more poised and confident after his first career 400-yard game, complete with his third four-touchdown performance in his Penn State career.

Let’s take a look at the official box score of some key players from both teams.   

Instant Reaction: Penn State beats Villanova in fashion 38-17

Sean Clifford had a big day against the Villanova Wildcats as Penn State cruised to a 38-17 victory at home.

Penn State has defeated the Villanova Wildcats in fashion with a score of 38-17 for their 20th straight non-conference home win. After a late game scare of what was thought of a touchdown, Villanova struggled all game to get the ball moving.  

The run game still continues to struggle, but we saw tons of involvement from the passing game. Sean Clifford threw an early deep touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson, who is picking up right where he left off from last week’s game against Auburn.  

Clifford continues to play with confidence, recording 401 passing yards and four touchdowns on the day.  

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We also saw some big plays from Parker Washington, who turned on the jets for two big plays, including one in the second quarter.  

KeAndre Lambert-Smith even caught a touchdown pass late in the game. Despite the run game struggles of the run game, the passing game continues to shine every week.  

One point worth noting though is that Penn State still saw struggles converting on third down. By halftime, they were just 39% for 3rd down conversions. 

The defense is continuing to put themselves on the map. They held Villanova to just 222 yards passing on the day. Ji’Aiyir Brown had two tipoff interceptions while the rest of the guys like Jaquan Brisker and Tariq Castro-Fields played lights out. We still saw plays late in the game, including a late touchdown pass by Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith, although Penn State was playing with backups for the large majority of the fourth quarter.  

Next week Penn State will once again be at home to host the Indiana Hoosiers, who have started to play better football these past two weeks but have already lost two games this season against Iowa and Cincinnati.

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.

Inside the box score: The one key stat where Penn State actually beat Wisconsin

Inside the box score: Penn State had no business winning at Wisconsin if you just glanced briefly at the box score

Penn State celebrated a hard-fought victory on the road against Wisconsin, coming out with a 16-10 victory against the Badgers. After the game, head coach James Franklin said in a postgame interview on the field he suspected this game might drive fans of analytics a little crazy because the box score sure tells a different story outside of the final score.

Wisconsin out-gained Penn State 359-297. The Badgers had just shy of 30 first downs (29) while Penn State managed just 11 for the entire game (and had just one at halftime). And Wisconsin kept Penn State’s defense on the field for 42 minutes and 51 seconds.

But Penn State won the turnover battle, 3-0, and made the plays it needed when they needed them the most. So go ahead and scoff at the box score, because the final score is ultimately the only stat that matters.

Here are some key box score stats from the game.

Penn State Offense

Sean Clifford – 18/33, 257 yards and a touchdown

Sean Clifford didn’t look great in the first half. Granted, neither did the rest of the Penn State offense. However, he really started get a rhythm in the second half in a new and revamped offense under Mike Yurcich.

Noah Cain – 8 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown

Cain started to get more comfortable in the second half and after watching this offense today, they need to feed him the ball more.

Jahan Dotson – 5 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown

As mentioned, Penn State’s offense didn’t really find their groove until the second half and Dotson was a big part of that. He was one of the only playmakers for their offense today, starting with a 49-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

NEXT: A look at Penn State’s defensive stats

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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.

The Big Ten’s top five Cornerbacks heading into 2021

Sevyn Banks is the next stud cornerback at Ohio State, but how high does the #Buckeye rank.

Ohio State football kicks off in less than a month, and we have been rolling through the best of the best of the Big Ten at each position. We have already completed our list of top five quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, guards, centers, defensive ends, defensive tackles, inside linebackers and outside linebackers.

Despite the loss of Shaun Wade and a few embarrassing performances last year, I have a ton of faith in the Ohio State Buckeyes defensive backfield and believe that their number one corner can be one of the best in the nation. The Big Ten has some intriguing corners and we give you the top five below.

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.

5 questions for Penn State at Big Ten media day

5 questions Penn State will be asked during Big Ten media day

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The summer convergence of Big Ten media, coaches, and players will take place this week in Chicago. As they arrive in the Windy City from Happy Valley, Penn State head coach James Franklin and his player representatives will have some tough questions to answer after last season.

Penn State limped out of the gates of the modified 2020 season to a historically bad 0-5 record before turning a corner and ending the season on a four-game winning streak. The Nittany Lions missed an opportunity to even their record and avoid a losing season by deciding as a team not to participate in a postseason bowl game at the end of a trying year. But perhaps the biggest question for Penn State to answer in 2021 was whether or not you can chalk up the 2020 season to being a product of unique circumstances or if it is a sign of a program on the decline.

So what are we to actually make of 2020?

Head coach James Franklin will be very likely to be asked some questions riding along the lines of wondering how Penn State bounces back in 2021 after last year’s setbacks. You can fully expect Franklin to push forward and leave 2020 behind him, but it is an important question to raise for anyone trying to figure out who Penn State is in 2021.

Prior to last season, Penn State had won 11 games three out of the previous four seasons with three appearances in a New Years Six bowl game and winning two of them. This is why the 2020 results were so surprising for many. Injuries and player availability throughout the week were issues as well, as Penn State at times may have been riding a thinner roster than realized at times due to COVID protocols.

So when Franklin is asked about last season and what to expect this season, expect the standard response that Penn State has a lot going right in the program and they are ready to prove something after last season.

Will Penn State still add a transfer quarterback?

As things stand right now, Penn State’s offense is Sean Clifford or bust, or so it would seem. One of the main talking points during the spring football practice season was what Penn State will do to add depth and exp[erience at the quarterback position. Pulling a target from the transfer portal seemed obvious, and Penn State did make a push to add to its roster at the position before ultimately losing out on TJ Finley from LSU. Spring has now come and gone and the summer is half over and Penn State still has not found a suitable passer in the transfer portal to pad the depth chart.

When will Penn State grab a QB out of the transfer portal?

So, is this still part of the game plan, or is Penn State now going to move forward running the risk of not having experience behind Clifford? The ceiling may be pretty high for options like Taquan Roberson and Christian Veilleux, but Franklin made it seem pretty clear he’d much prefer to have a more experienced option available should he need it this fall.

NEXT: What is the confidence level of the defensive line?

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