When looking back at this 2020 Penn State football season, it’ll be hard to find a moment where the Nittany Lions seemed to have more fun than when Jahan Dotson took his punt return to the house Saturday.

Already leading the Spartans 32-24, the star wide receiver’s 81-yard scamper was the cherry on top of what was an extremely fun second half.

Another pro tip: Don’t let Jahan Dotson get in the open field pic.twitter.com/s2j8sYfAFs

— Onward State (@OnwardState) December 12, 2020

When he returned to the sideline, Dotson was mobbed by just about every one of his teammates, along with James Franklin and Journey Brown.

“That was just a representation of who our team is. We’re brothers,” Dotson said postgame. “I knew once I scored, I’d get to the sidelines and celebrate with my guys. The whole team mobbed me, all our guys got up. Journey was picking me up, carrying me all the way to the bench.

“It was definitely a cool feeling, just knowing that you get to celebrate with your brothers at the end of the day,” Dotson added.

That exciting special teams moment was one of the many big plays that the Nittany Lions got to celebrate in the second half, as they managed a 29-3 run to close out the Spartans. Outside of Dotson, fellow wide receiver Parker Washington was the engine that made Penn State’s offense go throughout Saturday’s contest.

The freshman hauled in two touchdowns on the day, the first of which was a fantastic snag in the back of the end zone to bring the Nittany Lions within one possession of Michigan State.

Get young fella! pic.twitter.com/R3yGIvM6oo

— Onward State (@OnwardState) December 12, 2020

The young wideout then helped Penn State extend its lead late in the fourth quarter when he found himself wide open on a wheel route. After grabbing the pass from Sean Clifford, Washington made a few men miss on his way to his sixth score of the year.

Pro tip: Throw the ball to Parker Washington pic.twitter.com/VrJePEPnXZ

— Onward State (@OnwardState) December 12, 2020

Washington finished his afternoon with four catches worth 95 yards, along with those two scores, and proved again that he is a serious threat in the open field.

“I told you guys in the summer, Parker’s a great talent,” Dotson said. “He has all the intangibles to be a great player. Honestly, watching him in practice everyday just growing as a player, understanding defenses, making plays. It’s so cool to watch just because you know you were in those shoes one day.”

Where does Washington’s ability to make all of those big plays come from? Lamont Wade has a theory. The safety mentioned postgame that he’s been impressed with the freshman’s calf muscles in practice all season.

“This kid is nice,” Wade added.

Whatever it is, Washington has clearly positioned himself as a key weapon in Penn State’s receiver room, while Dotson has been rock solid as the group’s leader. That was further proved today, as the pair combined for 12 catches worth 203 yards, which rounds out to more than half of Penn State’s offensive production.

Dotson, Washington, and the rest of the Nittany Lions now face an uncertain future when it comes to week nine. The Big Ten has yet announce if, when, and who Penn State will play next weekend, but Dotson made it clear that the group will be ready no matter what.

“We just go out and do what we gotta do,” Dotson said. “We’re gonna come in tomorrow and get corrections from this last game, get our bodies right. Whoever they have that we’re gonna face we’re just gonna go out and attack it, just like we do everyday.”