On a night with a couple of questions, KeAndre Lambert-Smith provided a lot of answers.
No. 1 on Penn State’s roster looked like WR1 as the Drew Allar era got underway with a 38-15 Penn State win over West Virginia in front of a raucous-turned-partying 110,747.
Lambert-Smith caught four passes on the evening but it was his first of two touchdowns that set the tone for the offense, made Allar look comfortable – yet impressive – and spurred Penn State on to victory.
On the offensive side of the ball, the biggest looming question entering the season wasn’t if Allar could be the guy but rather who were going to be his guys. Penn State had once again lost its top receiver to the NFL Draft in Parker Washington, and Sean Clifford’s WR2 in Mitchell Tinsley also headed for the NFL.
And while Lambert-Smith showed flashes that he could be the guy – especially on an epic touchdown in the Rose Bowl – the Norfolk, VA native’s 72-yard touchdown catch was an explosion.
The play itself, too, was a bit of confirmation that not only can he catch but Allar can sling it. The most noticeable difference in the starting debut for Allar was his ability to step up in the pocket and still make a throw – in what felt like a contrast to the Clifford era.
Clifford would often use his feet to accomplish the play when the pocket broke down while Allar on Saturday used his rocket-arm, patience and precision to connect on several passes after pockets collapsed, including the one in the first quarter to Lambert-Smith for a score. The 72-yard touchdown throw was what Penn State fans have been dreaming of: well placed, well timed and well, beautiful.
James Franklin has preached the importance of explosive plays for Penn State’s offense. It appears that the Allar to Lambert-Smith connection is going to provide that as the duo linked up for another touchdown in the third quarter for 12 yards.
That time Lambert-Smith weaved his way through and behind the Mountaineers defense where he was left wide open in the back of south endzone, for an easier but still subtly, impressive throw from Allar.
And if Lambert-Smith appears to be the explosive play guy, Harrison Wallace III appears to be the dependable guy. Wallace caught seven passes for 72 yards on Saturday and Penn State’s offense looked strong as Allar finished with 325 yards and three touchdowns on 21 completions.
The depth of the wide receiver room was the concern this offseason but looked strong in addition to Lambert-Smith and Wallace as Florida State transfer Malik McClain hauled in four passes for 58 yards and one touchdown. He looked comfortable and trusty, while his fellow transfer Dante Cephas saw limited action and his first touchdown catch in Happy Valley slip from hands – maybe the only not-so-good spot for the room on the evening. Even Liam Clifford, who has been relatively quiet over his Penn State career, was noticeable. The younger brother of Sean racked in two catches for 25 yards but also played the slot role well in place of an injured Omari Evans.
Elsewhere, some questions still remain. The most pressing is who will be Penn State’s field goal kicker going forward? Dependability on kicker Sander Sahaydak is now nonexistent as he missed two kicks from 38 and 34 yards in the span of five minutes. It was a hidden concern in the offseason and the biggest concern of the evening – especially at halftime – but it appears Alex Felkins may be taking over the role as he drilled a 25 yarder as well as converting two extra point tries.
On the defensive side of the ball, the run defense felt gashed at times, but WVU’s strongest point on the roster was its offensive line entering this season. And at the end of the evening, it was only two touchdowns – including one with the second team defense on the field – that Penn State gave up.
Overall, it was a night felt about what many expected. A closer game in the first half, pull away in the second half, and a good mood for everyone leaving Beaver Stadium.
And thanks to the Allar-to-Lambert-Smith combo, a night that kept Penn State fans’ expectations high.
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