![]() Penn State: The Nittany Lions were plagued by sluggish starts and early mistakes in games last season yet still ascended. The good news? The Zips won't play teams on Penn State's level every week. Barkley gained yards at will against an Akron defense that had no answer for his speed and quickness. He headed for the locker room just before halftime and did not return to play.Īkron: The Zips couldn't get anything going offensively behind Woodson, a three-year starter, and still couldn't move the ball when Kato Nelson took over at quarterback in the third. Miller, who was expected to play a big role for Penn State's front seven, limped to the sideline where he propped up his left leg on the trainer's table and later his helmet. Penn State defensive end Shareef Miller appeared to suffer a leg injury after only a few plays. I had that chip on my shoulder that I had to break it this game." "I knew I had a good chance and I trusted my guys a lot. "That's always been something that's been talked about, `Who's going to break it?" Thompkins said. Williams praised Thompkins' speed and vision and predicted on a pregame radio show that this would be the season, if not the game, the streak would be broken. Derrick Williams, who's now a sideline reporter for Penn State's broadcast team, was the last Nittany Lion to score on a punt return. Thompkins' first-quarter punt return broke a nearly decade-long drought for Penn State special teams units. 6, and that's why I think they're a contender to challenge Ohio State for the conference championship." "I think they're a very good football team, and that's why they were preseason picked No. We just didn't play great," Akron coach Terry Bowden said. Woodson completed 12 of 23 passes for 71 yards. ![]() "I think we were dominant up front, especially inside." "I think our defense came out and played really well," Franklin said. The Zips crossed midfield just once, needing a fourth-down stop on defense to set up favorable field position. The Zips punted 11 times and quarterback Thomas Woodson was intercepted on the other drive. McSorley zipped his first touchdown pass to Gesicki two plays later to put the game out of reach thanks to a reloaded Penn State defense. Barkley, running to his left, hauled in the short toss, stopped on a dime, stutter-stepped through two defenders and cut back across the field, where he eluded three more for a 17-yard gain. He set up Penn State's second touchdown when McSorley targeted him with a third-and-10 pass early in the first. "Which equates to probably the most complete game since we've been here."Īlthough it rained heavily early in the game, a soggy field and leaky Akron defense couldn't slow Barkley and McSorley, who combined for 371 total yards and four scores in the first half to put the game out of reach.īarkley's dazzling skills helped the offense recover from an early red zone interception by McSorley. "Most consistent camp that we've had," Penn State coach James Franklin said. That's the longest active streak among Power 5 teams and in program history. Tyler Davis made a 47-yard field goal for the Nittany Lions, who've scored 35 or more points in eight straight games. Gesicki added six catches for 58 yards and two scores.ĭeAndre Thompkins scored on a 61-yard punt return and backup quarterback Tommy Stevens ran for a fourth-quarter touchdown. McSorley, himself a Heisman Trophy hopeful, was 18 for 25 passing for 280 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown. "Some games are going to be my game, some are going to be (quarterback) Trace (McSorley)'s game, some games it's going to be (tight end) Mike (Gesicki) and obviously others on the offensive side of the ball."Īll of them helped Penn State's offense pick up where it left off when the Big Ten champions won nine of their final 10 games last season. "We have so many playmakers," Barkley said. ![]() 6 Penn State to a 52-0 win over Akron in the season opener on Saturday. The junior running back racked up 226 total yards and two touchdowns to lead No. He'll need to keep doing it, especially if he keeps playing like this. Each time Penn State's offense drove toward Beaver Stadium's south end on Saturday, Saquon Barkley passed 16 Penn State students in the front row whose bare chests, painted blue and white and beginning to smear from the rain, spelled out S-A-Q-U-O-N F-O-R H-E-I-S-M-A-N.īarkley has tried to block out personal hype to keep focused on his responsibilities as a team leader. 6 Penn State's 52-0 win over AkronĬollege Football, Penn State Nittany Lions, Akron Zips
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