Penn State to host top quarterback for a game; where do Lions rank among nation's unbeaten teams?: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Oct. 4 include a new recruiting visitor plus where the Lions rank among the unbeaten teams nationally.
It’s time to dive into Tuesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college football.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with a new recruiting visitor. Class of 2025 four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery will be at Penn State-Minnesota on Oct. 22. That, of course, is the Lions’ annual White Out game at Beaver Stadium.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound passer who is ranked inside the top-50 nationally in the On3 Consensus rankings has had a well-traveled recruitment so far. He has been to Penn State three times already, including once back in April of this year. He will see Georgia this Saturday and be at Michigan next weekend for its matchup with the Lions.
“For the game day visits, we’re really looking for the brotherhood that they have, what they bring to the table offensively, the culture they have, obviously the coaching staff,” Montgomery told On3 recently.
“But you want to commit to the school, not the coaching staff, because everything’s crazy these days. Coaches could be gone the next year. So definitely the academics for sure, the school, but really just what feels like home.”
In other news, Penn State is one of 16 unbeaten teams still remaining in college football. Where do they rank among that select group of programs? ESPN’s Bill Connelly has been ranking them weekly and slots the Lions at No. 9.
“The offensive inefficiency is an increasing concern,” he writes. “Penn State ranks just 68th in success rate — 101st in rushing success rate and 100th in first downs per carry.
Quarterback Sean Clifford has been steady, and few teams have a more explosive RB-WR-TE trio than Nicholas Singleton, Parker Washington, and Brenton Strange. But after a Week 6 bye, James Franklin’s squad will take on three consecutive teams ranked in the SP+ top 10 (at Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State). That will be difficult to survive without more offensive consistency, even with a defense that ranks fifth in defensive SP+ and is living up to all expectations under Manny Diaz.”
Headlines of the day
Hall of Famer compares Giants’ Saquon Barkley to 1 of NFL’s all-time greats: Hyland, NJ.com
Penn State bowl projections: Where are the Lions slotted at the start of October?: Pickel, BWI
Does Penn State football’s defense deserve a better offense?: Poorman, Statecollege.com
The weekly rundown: Penn State must find ways to improve during its bye week: Pickel, BWI
Despite victory, gloveless approach on rainy day didn’t pan out for Penn State: Destin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Penn State’s good plans sunk by the elements, fumbles: Film Study: Carr, BWI
Penn State football fans say expanded alcohol sales add to ‘good football, good environment’: Buckman, CDT
‘Same player,’ Brenton Strange continues break out season: Bauer, BWI
Is Penn State Ready for Michigan?: Wogenrich, SI
Quote of the day
“I think I prepared myself. I think all the tight ends pushed each other a lot this off-season. We knew we were going to have a bigger role this season. We had a big role last year, too, but it’s different this year. We’re leaders for this team and we want to be there to execute when our numbers are called and be a leader for our team.”
—PSU tight end Brenton Strange on the role he and the tight ends have in the Lions’ offense this fall.
