Coming into the 2015 season, the Penn State receiving corp boasted a slew of young, promising receivers that many expected to complement Christian Hackenberg. Things hadn’t gone accordingly through the first quarter of the season, however.
In the season opener, Temple overwhelmed the offensive line for 10 sacks. In the subsequent two games, at home, rain welcomed the Nittany Lions back to Happy Valley for two weeks straight, less than ideal circumstances to get the aerial attack flowing.
“No receiver wants a rainy game, the ball is harder to catch,” said DaeSean Hamilton, redshirt sophomore receiver. “At the end of the day we’re still wide receivers, we still have the same job to do whether its rain, snow, sleet or hail.”
Last week, however, the grey clouds left, the rain showed mercy on the Nittany Lions, and the offense got things going in the air. Hackenberg connected with seven different targets to go 21-for-35 for 296 yards and three touchdowns against the Aztecs.
“Nobody ever got discouraged,” Hamilton added. “We kept our poised and made sure we knew what we were doing to make sure we’re ready when our time comes.”
Hackenberg’s top target was Chris Godwin, who finished with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Godwin has emerged a primary option for Hackenberg this season, leading the team with 19 receptions and 283 yards.
Saeed Blacknall had a breakout performance himself, piling up 101 yards on just four catches, including 46- and 45-yard catches that each resulted in Penn State scoring drives.
“Each series is different, so you take it how it comes and hope to capitalize on that series,” Blacknall said. “I capitalized on [those] series.”
Hamilton added five catches for 40 yards against the Aztecs.
As rain has come down during the week and is expected against Army on Saturday, head coach James Franklin has left the team outside to get comfortable with the conditions.
“Us being outside practice in wet rain is good for us,” Blacknall added.
Penn State’s freshman receivers, DeAndre Thompkins (redshirt) and Brandon Polk, have used their talents in other areas to contribute to the team.
Thompkins has been the lead punt returner, averaging 9.8 yards per return on 11 punts. Polk has piled up 102 rushing yards and a touchdown, primarily with his speed on sweep action.
Blacknall’s observation from watching Polk run that play in practice over the summer: “I just saw him get the ball, and he was gone.”
Coach Franklin has a bevy of options with this young group of receivers that will continue develop with experience.
“We just all learn from each,” Hamilton said. “We learn from each other’s mistake.”
“The beauty of that is we’re all growing together,” Blacknall said. “Watching us all grow and looking back to where we came from, it’s been a
fun ride.”With that depth, however, naturally brings a battle for playing time, which could actually net positive results for the Nittany Lions.
“Competition comes with pressure,” Hamilton said. “That just brings your game up a whole level it just brings out the best in everybody.”
