Young Talent Stands Out In Penn State Football’s 2021 Blue-White Practice
It wasn’t the normal Blue-White experience, but Penn State’s Class of 2024 was treated to several standout performances by the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Sean Clifford and the first-team offense took the field to open the practice. The veteran quarterback led a strong drive deep into enemy territory, which included a pretty connection to Cam Sullivan-Brown.
Cam Sullivan-Brown GOT UP on this one
— Onward State (@OnwardState) April 17, 2021pic.twitter.com/WZrDQZWSYT
The first-team offense couldn’t finish out the drive, however, as Clifford and Jahan Dotson failed to connect on a slant in the back of the end zone. With that, Jake Pinegar and the special teams unit came out. Pinegar converted on a 28-yard field goal to finish the opening drive.
Ta’Quan Roberson led the offensive group following that drive. The defense was the story of that possession however, as true freshman Kalen King picked off an errant pass and took it the other way for six. Freshman defensive end Zuriah Fisher also made two tackles.
Following that electric play, Clifford and the first-team offense came back out. Perhaps the moment of the day came when QB1 lined up under center. The play didn’t result in anything positive for the offense, but it was truly an unbelievable moment.
True freshman Christian Veilleux then earned a few snaps at quarterback, but he wasn’t able to find a ton of success on his first possession.
James Franklin and his staff then organized a simulated kickoff, with Jaquan Brisker and Devyn Ford set up as return men. Ford fielded the kick a few yards out of the end zone, and managed to go untouched 97 yards for the second score of the afternoon.
See ya!
— Onward State (@OnwardState) April 17, 2021pic.twitter.com/eWVTiMrriq
Roberson rotated in on offense a few drives later. The redshirt freshman hit some nice completions to freshmen Malick Meiga and Tyler Warren, and Keyvone Lee added a huge scamper to set up the Nittany Lions for a score.
The offense took advantage, as Roberson put up a beautiful ball to Daniel George for a 21-yard touchdown. Clifford responded with a successful drive of his own, and even capped it off with a 45-yard connection to tight end Brenton Strange.
King quickly reminded fans why Franklin has been referring to him as “one of the most advanced freshman” he’s seen, by picking off a deep shot by Clifford intended for Parker Washington in the back of the end zone.
Roberson then returned to the offense, and he and running bank Tank Smith proceeded to be a dynamic duo in the backfield. The quarterback found pay dirt yet again by scrambling his way for a touchdown on 3rd and long, and Smith responded to that with a short rushing touchdown of his own.
Veilleux also filled up the stat sheet a bit with the opportunities he got, as he connected on screen passes to Caziah Holmes and Smith, respectively, for touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions then wrapped up practice with a kickoff by Jordan Stout to the back of the end zone, because that’s quite simply what he does. With that, the team locked arms and finished the afternoon with the signing of the Alma Mater.
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About the Author
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