The Penn State Nittany Lions host the Ohio State Buckeyes in game between top-5 teams nursing key injuries and big chips.
Penn State runs head-first into another memorable opportunity Saturday, when its hosts Ohio State with a chance to reach 8-0 for just second the time under head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions are ranked higher, have a less-than-full-strength starting quarterback, are at home for the first time in four weeks and seek to end a seven-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.
"It wasn't easy hiring him," Franklin said this week, a nod to Kotelnicki's value both to Kansas and other programs. If Kotelnicki continues, deploying his assets in unique ways and framing Penn State's offense as the fun place to play, he'll be doing it somewhere else soon — for head-coaching money. "It's super, super fun," Penn State tackle Anthony Donkoh said of playing in Kotelnicki's offense. "...
Well, now's the time, because Franklin hired Kotelnicki to operate a high-scoring, explosive offense that also can run the ball, make smart use of its backup quarterback and, by doing all that, beat Ohio State. The Nittany Lions looked lost offensively in Columbus last season. They went 0-for-15 on third down until their final series, converted one play longer than 15 yards through three quarters and watched quarterback Drew Allar and his receivers play different games .
The dynamic is even more compelling Saturday, as Penn State analyzes whom to start at quarterback, how much to play backup Beau Pribula and where to deploy each best. Penn State has been in plenty of fourth-quarter games with Ohio State but has lacked that one-more-play on offense to win . Kotelnicki is in State College to create that. If he does, Franklin might be going back to that list, so enjoy it.
Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki talks with reporters during preseason football media day in Beaver Stadium. / Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORKThe running back hasn't topped 100 yards, or broken a run longer than 20 yards, since Week 2 against Bowling Green. It's imperative that he and Kaytron Allen churn yards, and eat minutes, against a Buckeyes' run defense that ranks sixth nationally.
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