Sep 16, 2025
Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) tackles Villanova running back David Avit (front right) during the first quarter of a game against Villanova on Sept. 13 in State College. The Associated Press
Following is Neil Rudel’s report card from Penn State’s 52-6 win over Villanova on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:
Quarterback: C
Allar was 0-for-5 on third-down passes. Wound up 16-of-29 for 209, one TD and his first interception of the season. Started 4-4, then 3-9. The red zone pick was bad. Grunk got the last series and threw a TD.
Running back: B
Singleton met with CJF after last week’s game, and he got eight carries in the first series. Still finished 20-84 and two TDs, but his long through three games is just 16. Allen was 10-86 with an 18-yard TD. Wallace (1-4).
Offensive line: C
No sacks, but did anybody feel this was a dominant performance? I didn’t think so. Two starters — Rucci and Iaone — were hit with false starts on first-and-10 in the first half, which stalled the operation.
Wide receiver/TE: B
Reynolds (4-73) led the way, including 46 after catch. Also blocked well. Backup Schlaffer (No. 18) caught a fourth-quarter TD. Pena (4-60, TD) and Hudson (3-30) and Ross (1-12) targeted combined 12 times.
Offensive coaching: C
Issues more execution than design. Nits 5-11 on third down, 1-1 on fourth. I thought there were chances for more deep shots. Kotelnicki ran WRs more (Pena four, Denmark once) and 2-pointer was well executed.
Defensive line: A-
Fisher lined up offside early and Yemajou (99) did so late. Dennis-Sutton was flagged for delay of game penalty (clapping). Coleman had a TFL and QB hurry.
Linebackers: B+
Campbell (NC transfer) has quickly emerged as top LB. Three TFLs of the team’s 11. Rojas made five stops and two sacks but didn’t wrap up, losing TFL in the backfield. Secondary: A-
Just 96 yards allowed in 27 dropbacks. What a play on the interception return by Joseph. Backups didn’t play to the standard and allowed late-game TD.
Defensive coaching: A
So far, so good, but let’s bring on some real competition to see what Jim Knowles can do (at PSU — we’ve seen what he can do at Ohio State).
Special teams: A
Barker 3-of-3 on FGs and lone miss this season (9-of-10) was blocked. Kickoff coverage/tackling solid. Ross is sure-handed as punt returner and busted 34-yarder. Nwosu averaged 41.5 on two punts, placing both inside 20.
The other guy: C
Like Nevada and FIU, Villanova couldn’t compete at the line of scrimmage but gave all it could. I was impressed the Wildcats ended the game with a 75-yard, 16-play drive that saw them convert four third downs and a TD.
Overall: B-
Lackluster offense overshadowed defense. Franklin called two timeouts in the last 37 seconds trying to preserve the shutout.
Compiled by Neil Rudel. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com
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