Trebor Peña was the last of the three transfer wide receivers to commit to the Nittany Lions.

A gadget-type player out of Syracuse that can both go out for a pass like a normal wideout, but also be involved with an end-around or jet sweep play call. Whoever knows Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki knew that Peña was going to be heavily utilized in the Nittany Lion offense.

“I feel like I did a lot of that stuff growing up, like in high school and stuff, too,” Peña said after Penn State’s win over Villanova. “So being able to do it at a college level as well, it feels natural. I feel comfortable doing that, and I feel like having a receiver that’s able to carry the ball just opens up the offense even more.”

Being an effective rusher while also serving as a third-option wideout can be a dangerous combination when placed in the right system. In the Kotelnicki system, Peña feels that he and the rest of the brand-new wide receiver corps are finally settling in.

“I feel good in the system. Early in the summer, I was still learning and stuff, but I feel like I’m in a good place right now, and I think we’re going to continue to get better over the season,” Peña said. “We’ve had little hiccups and stuff like that, but I feel the more comfortable we get in the offense and more ‘on time’ with the quarterbacks, everybody will be fine.”

The Penn State offense has been criticized over the first three games for slow starts and showing some signs ineffectiveness. Although this trend in opinion is sure to continue after the Villanova game, Peña rose above as a clear high point with a breakout performance.

“I feel like I can be used in whatever position,” Peña said. “However, they want to use me, whether it’s passing or rushing, whatever it is, I do it to the best of my ability.”

The new Nittany Lion found the end zone for the first time in a Penn State jersey while raking in four catches for 60 yards. On the ground, Peña had a serviceable four carries for 33 yards, good enough for an 8.3 average.

“We ran that play earlier, and we saw that it was open, so we talked on the sideline, and we eventually got back to it, and we were just on the same page. [Drew Allar] put a good ball up there as well,” Peña said.

Although the performance was a great effort, there is still work to be done for the senior wideout. Of the four receptions, Peña was targeted seven times, suffering from a few drops.

“I’ve got to cut down on the drops and just catch everything that comes my way. I know I had a few of those plays today that I wish I had back and making the most of my opportunities, and I know all the receivers feel the same way,” Peña said.

The Penn State football schedule has wound through its non-conference schedule, leaving the Nittany Lions at a 3-0 record heading into their first bye week. On the other side of that bye week awaits the red-hot No. 4 Oregon Ducks, who have steamrolled their opponents in what appears to be an offensive juggernaut. It will be the first and only White Out for Peña, who has heard much about the ‘Greatest Show in College Sports.”

“I heard it’s crazy, and I heard it gets really loud, and that it’s a crazy environment. It’s very exciting and something like nothing else. [I’m] so excited.”

The new additions to the wide receiver room have taken turns showing their abilities. Kyron Hudson stole the show against Nevada, and Devonte Ross lit up FIU in week two. This week, it was Peña’s turn to put on a show in front of the Beaver Stadium crowd. Allar was complimentary of the wideout postgame, calling Peña a versatile piece to an already dangerous offense.

“He’s very, very versatile; he can run the ball and run routes in open space. I think when you get the ball in his hands, he can do special things with it, just because of that running back background he has, and it’s really cool to see all his work from the summer pay off,” Allar said. “That whole receiver group has done a great job for these first three weeks. I’m really excited to keep building off of it and really just air it out.”