STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — State of PennsylvaniaThe receivers were the most questioned group entering the season with KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the team’s only wide receiver with 300+ yards in 2023, transferring to Auburn.

While redshirt junior Harrison Wallace III has 395 yards in just eight games, the receivers lack consistent production. Redshirt junior Liam Clifford (14 catches for 246 yards) and junior Omari Evans (11 catches, 236 yards) started the year with 100-yard games but have since faded.

Add to that fifth-year Julian Fleming (11 catches, 152 yards), who struggled with drops.

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The group struggles limited the offense as teams stacked the box. Many of his big plays come from the creative flair of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and the breakthrough of senior tight end Tyler Warren.

As the Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) prepare to face a talented Washington team on Saturday (8 p.m., Peacock), they will certainly be looking for their receivers to step up.

Difficult secondary school

Head coach James Franklin said the receivers have “improved” from last season, but it’s not enough.

“We have to be able to threaten people,” Franklin said Monday. “We have to be able to make plays, create separation and make tough catches.”

Tough catches are something the Washington secondary (5-4, 3-3) excels at. This season, it’s containment with the second fewest passing yards per game (142) in the Big Ten, as well as eight interceptions. It will be a challenge that junior quarterback Drew Allar called “one of the best” as far as the Huskies secondary is concerned. Washington’s leading Huskies in interceptions is linebacker Carson Bruener (three). Even defensive lineman Jacob Bandes has one.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s zone coverage or man coverage, they’re always around the ball trying to make a play on it,” Allar said Wednesday. “We’re going to have to be on our Ps and Qs this week as far as the passing game goes.”

“It’s a confident group”

One way to eliminate Washington’s force is to achieve separation.

Evans poses a deep threat, so he’ll be the answer, while the rest of the group does their job in traffic. Franklin hopes they will get the job done.

“We need their involvement and want them to be involved,” Franklin said. “I hope Saturday will be the weekend. I was hoping that last Saturday…it would be one of those games where they all came together.

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Despite the group’s difficulties, the team remains confident. Warren thinks the key to unlocking their production might actually be getting more parts.

“It’s a confident group,” Warren said. “There have been several guys who have rushed for over 100 yards in games. They showed what they were capable of. »

The groups showed flashes, but against weaker competition. They still did their job by other means.

Fleming stands out as the unit’s best blocker, and his experience and insight allowed Kotelnicki to plan for openings for other players.

Blocking may be key if the Huskies stop things through the air. Allar said there aren’t many teams with receivers blocking as well as they do. Still, he’s excited to do his part to prove the group will have the ball when it counts on Saturday.

“Our receivers get a lot of harsh criticism about their performance, but I don’t think that’s necessary,” Allar said. “I will defend them until the day I die. I love being around these guys they’re really fun to play with, and they don’t get enough credit for the amount of play they do on a weekly basis.

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