STATE COLLEGE -- Penn State 63-10 thrashing of Kent State at Beaver Stadium could have been even worse for the Golden Flashes if not for all of those costly PSU penalties. But can you really find fault with James Franklin's program for a 53-point win? Here are my takeaways from the Nittany Lions' third win of the season ...
The Lions' defense was almost as impressive as the Penn State offense. The Lions' deep 'D' limited Kent State's up-tempo offense to 221 total yards on 77 plays, average of just 2.9 yards per play. The visitors were held to 72 second-half yards. The tackling was better and the PSU defensive line was everywhere as the Lions finished with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Sean Clifford is going to be an impact player at Penn State ... eventually. The redshirt freshman completed his only pass against Pittsburgh to wideout Brandon Polk for a 34-yard touchdown. He played the whole fourth quarter vs. Kent State and went 3-for-3 for 141 yards and another score, this one a 95-yarder to true freshman wideout Daniel George. The 95-yarder is the longest scoring pass in PSU history and it was made possible, in part, from a great pump fake by Clifford from the Lions' end zone. Clifford, given an opportunity, tends to make the most of it.
This Penn State offense could give the fabled 1994 offense a run for its money if it continues to develop. The Lions amassed 643 total yards, most by a PSU offense since 1994 (at Minnesota) and PSU produced plays of 95, 69, 41, 40, 39, 23 and 22 yards. The Lions have scored 159 points in three games.
The Lions' young offensive linemen gained valuable experience and looked good on a limited number of snaps. Specifically, PSU turned to redshirt freshman Mike Miranda at left guard for a stretch and redshirt freshman C.J. Thorpe subbed for Connor McGovern at one point.
Even when Kent State scored a touchdown, it had to work for it. I thought the Golden Flashes' only score, a 47-yard throw from quarterback Woody Barrett to Mike Carrigan, was a bit fortunate for the visitors. PSU was offside on the first-quarter play and Barrett knew he had a free shot, and Lions veteran corner Amani Oruwariye was in great position to make a play and just missed doing so.