With some of the biggest hype in program history, Penn State football was finally able to take the field to kick off the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions dominated throughout the game and proved why they’re one of the national championship favorites.
The blue and white took down Nevada 46-11, allowing the backups to get multiple drives of playing time late in the game. In a game of a lot to like, there are still things to improve on in a long 2025 campaign.
1. Transfers made an immediate impact
Penn State had its best transfer portal class in the young transfer portal era. In the season opener, some of those big names made immediate impact of what could be to come in a potentially historic season.
Wide receivers Trebor Peña and Kyron Hudson both showed out as reliable targets for Drew Allar. Both Peña and Hudson showed the capability to get open. Peña totaled seven catches for 74 yards, while Hudson added six catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Amare Campbell was flying around the field as the MIKE linebacker. Campbell led the team in tackles with a total of six and made an impact on the first turnover of the game.
2. Dani Dennis-Sutton is a game-wrecker
The big headline out of the opening week is Dani Dennis-Sutton’s performance against the Wolfpack. Dennis-Sutton proved he doesn’t need Abdul Carter on the other side of the pass rush to find success. In fact, it seemed the edge rusher was out to prove he’s next in line in a group of game-changing pass rushers under James Franklin.
Dennis-Sutton totaled five tackles, including four solo tackles and one sack. He added 2.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. What doesn’t show up in the stat sheet is the fact he was seemingly in the backfield on every snap, wreaking havoc all across the line of scrimmage.
3. Tight ends slow start
After a historic season from Tyler Warren, the tight end position was seen as a committee rather than one player standing out. It’ll take more than just Week 1 to decipher who is the leader of the pack as the tight ends totaled just seven catches.
Andrew Rappleyea led the position group with three catches for 33 yards, all received after the game was sealed. Luke Reynolds and Khalil Dinkins both caught two passes and were featured more in the run blocking game. With two more games before the Big Ten opener, the tight ends will have to get going for the historic expectations to become reality.
4. Drew Allar’s efficient day
Drew Allar ended his 2024 season with a bad taste, but started the 2025 season with one of his most efficient starts. Allar went 22-for-26 for 217 yards and a touchdown, finding both his wide receivers and running backs throughout his two and a half quarter game. He finished with a 167.4 quarterback rating, and played safe football during the game.
There weren’t too many explosive plays as the third-year starter averaged 8.3 yards per completion. But, he played an efficient game, completing passes where he needed to, to lead the Nittany Lions to a big win.
5. Unable to capitalize on favorable field position
Penn State had multiple opportunities to expand the lead, but it couldn’t capitalize on favorable field position. After an early interception from defensive tackle Zane Durant, the Nittany Lions couldn’t put the ball across the goal line from the six-yard line.
It wasn’t the only instance where the blue and white had to settle for a field goal. After a big, 73-yard kickoff return from safety King Mack, the offense stalled out for a three-and-out. Kicker Ryan Barker bailed out the offense in the favorable situations, going 4-for-4 on field goals in his first full season as the starter.
Penn State looked like a team that could contend for a national championship, but it still has things to clean up after the opening game of the season. The Nittany Lions will have their next opportunity to build on the win against Florida International at noon next Saturday.