The Penn State-Delaware Report Card: Efficiency Rules

The Lions made quick work of Delaware, albeit with a few miscues. On to Illinois.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State scored 60+ points for the sixth time under head coach James Franklin, turning back Delaware 63-7 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Through two games, the Lions have outscored their opponents 101-22, an encouraging sign with Big Ten play approaching.

Tough to grade this team against an FCS opponent, albeit one with a top-20 roster in that division, but Franklin said he'll analyze the 12 freshmen who played as critically as the starters. How do we grade the group? Let's begin.

OFFENSE: A-

Quarterback Drew Allar is off to one of the great starts to a Penn State career. He has completed 78 percent of his passes, including 13 straight vs. Delaware, and was 8-for-8 on throws of 5-14 yards. He's not doing anything truly complicated yet; instead, he's doing most everything well. Kaytron Allen said he's running "angry" this year, which showed in a 103-yard performance that got him above 1,000 for his career. Nicholas Singleton scored three almost quiet touchdowns and has fresh legs for the Big Ten, having carried the ball just 25 times. He's averaging one touchdown per every 6.25 carries. Terrific hit rate. 

DEFENSE: B

Something seems off slightly about Penn State's defense, even though it allowed just 140 total yards (66 on one play) and one touchdown. The Lions' stop rate is exceptional; they've allowed three touchdowns in 23 series. But both West Virginia and Delaware gashed Penn State in targeted ways. Running back Marcus Yarns' 66-yard touchdown run was born of an open gap vacated by a linebacker. Some of Penn State's star players (notably Chop Robinson and Abdul Carter) have made short impacts on the defensive stat sheet. It's early, but next week at Illinois would be a good time to emerge. However, Franklin graded the defense overall as "statistically really good."

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

More consistent, though they weren't called on to do much. Punt returner Kaden Saunders seems to be settling into the role. He's looking more comfortable back there, which will make him more aggressive when return opportunities arise. There was a special teams penalty for the second week in a row, giving Delaware a first down that didn't please Franklin. Punter Riley Thompson tucked one inside the 20-yard line, which did please coordinator Stacy Collins. Kicker Alex Felkins took eight of the nine extra-point attempts, leaving Sander Sahaydak with one. That was a notable decision after Sahaydak's tough start to the season.

COACHING: B+

Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich has Allar in rhythm, giving him a suite of makeable throws with options to take on more. Allar is rotating pass-catchers through his arsenal (he targeted the tight ends eight times) and letting everyone work. Elsewhere, Franklin capped an interesting week by starting Allen over Singleton, a move he foreshadowed with his midweek praise of the sophomore back. How do you keep talent engaged and happy? That's one way. And Allen responded with a 100-yard performance.

OVERALL: B+

This could have been an indifferent game vs. an FCS opponent, as the 2021 game was against Villanova. But the Lions scored on seven of their first eight possessions, including their opening four, and limited Delaware to 3.4 yards per play — again, 66 of which came on one snap. Overall, this was a reasonably consistent performance to take to Illinois.

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