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Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck challenged his team to respond Saturday. Did it ever. Trey Potts scored the go-ahead touchdown 70 seconds into the third quarter and the Golden Gophers defense pitched a second-half shutout to hold on for a 20-13 victory at Purdue. "That was a very difficult week - mentally, physically, emotionally," coach P,J. Fleck said after earning his first second-half comeback in 50 career games at Minnesota. "To come out here and beat a really good Purdue team on the road, was great." It was just what the Gophers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) needed after last week's shocking loss at home to Bowling Green.

But Minnesota cleaned up those mistakes and took advantage of their opportunities on a cool, rainy day at Ross-Ade Stadium - despite seeing the Boilermakers (3-2, 1-1) run 33 more plays and picking up 144 more yards. How'd they do it? After trailing most of the first half, the Gophers struck quickly in the third quarter. Tanner Morgan opened the second half with a 54-yard completion to Mike Brown-Stephens. Potts ran for 17 yards on the next play and then overpowered the Boilermakers defense for a 4-yard touchdown run for a 17-13 lead. The Gophers defense took care of the rest. It ended one scoring threat with a sack, ended two more with good coverage and finally sealed the win with an interception on third-and-10 from just outside the Minnesota red zone. - Minnesota/AP College Football

(DS#46 RB) rSr/2024

RB Trey Potts, Penn State
News Source: Minnesota/AP College Football
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09/27/21 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

SEPT 27 BIG TEN CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sean Clifford, Penn State, QB – Sr. – Cincinnati, Ohio – Saint Xavier (Ohio),...Threw for a career-high 401 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in Penn State's 38-17 win vs. Villanova. Now ranks fifth all-time in Penn State history with 5,890 career passing yards and second with 49 career passing touchdowns...Joined Christian Hackenberg (454 yards vs. UCF in 2014) as the only quarterbacks in Nittany Lion history to throw for more than 400 yards in a game...Connected on touchdown passes of 83, 52, 52 and 23 yards...Is one of just 10 FBS quarterbacks to pass for more than 400 yards in a game in 2021...Earns the first Offensive Player of the Week accolade of his career...Last Penn State Offensive Player of the Week: KJ Hamler (Oct. 21, 2019). - Big Ten Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Big Ten Football
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09/25/21 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Sean Clifford passed for four touchdowns and a career-high 401 yards, leading No. 6 Penn State to a 38-17 victory over Villanova on Saturday. Clifford completed 19 of 26 passes, finding Parker Washington for two TDs and Jahan Dotson and KeAndre Lambert-Smith for one apiece. Tyler Warren rushed for a touchdown and Jordan Stout kicked a field goal for the Nittany Lions (4-0), who led 17-3 at the break in their eighth straight win. A week after outlasting Southeastern Conference foe No. 23 Auburn in a back-and-forth slugfest, Penn State showcased its speed against its in-state FCS opponent.

Clifford spied Dotson speeding through Villanova cornerback Christian Benford's single coverage and dropped a 52-yard strike into Dotson's hands for a 7-0 lead just three minutes in. Early in the second, the Wildcats pressured Clifford and brought him down at midfield for their first of three sacks on the afternoon. But the fifth-year senior popped up and fired to Washington crossing over the middle on the next play. Washington sliced through Villanova's secondary for a 52-yard score that made it 14-3. Stout added a 29-yard field goal before halftime, but Penn State missed out on an opportunity for an even bigger lead. Cornerback Johnny Dixon dropped what could have been a Pick-6 midway through the first half, and the Nittany Lions' final two possessions were spoiled by a holding penalty and a sack. Clifford continued to hook up with his receivers for big plays in the second half. - Penn State/AP College Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State/AP College Football
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09/20/21 - *Brandon Smith, Jr/2022, Penn State, 6-4, 244 (DS#6 OLB) + More +

SEPT 20 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Smith, Penn State, LB - Jr. - Louisa, Va. - Louisa County (Fla.),...Led the Nittany Lions defense with a career-high 10 tackles (six solo) in Penn State's 28-20 win over No. 22 Auburn. Bested his previous career high of eight tackles. Helped limit Auburn's offense to just 185 passing yards on 21 of 39 attempts (.538 pct.) and its lowest total offensive output of the season (369 yards)...Added one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and a quarterback hurry...Helped Penn State record its first regular season win over a Southeastern Conference opponent since 1990. The Nittany Lions have now defeated two ranked opponents in 2021, marking the first time that Penn State has recorded two such wins in its first three games of a season...Earns the first Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career...Last Penn State Defensive Player of the Week: Robert Windsor (Nov. 12, 2018). - Big Ten Football

(DS#6 OLB) Jr/2022

OLB *Brandon Smith, Penn State
News Source: Big Ten Football
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09/19/21 - Jahan Dotson, Sr/2022, Penn State, 5-11, 181 (DS#6 WR) + More +

Clemson and Ohio State slipped to the back of the top 10 in The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday and Penn State jumped four spots to No. 6 after another weekend in which lots of ranked teams had issues. Even No. 1 Alabama. The defending national champion Crimson Tide remained an overwhelming No. 1 after holding on to beat Florida 31-29, Alabama's closest margin of victory during its current 17-game winning streak. The Tide received 59 of 62 first-place votes. No. 2 Georgia, which had no problem with South Carolina, received the other three first-place votes in the AP Top 25, which is presented by Regions Bank. No. 3 Oregon moved up a spot and No. 4 Oklahoma slipped one after a close victory over Nebraska.

Iowa was No. 5 for a second straight week and Penn State has its best ranking since the Nittany Lions were fifth on Nov. 3, 2019. Penn State beat Auburn on Saturday night to give it two victories against ranked teams, along with Wisconsin. No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Ohio State both won Saturday, but neither looked typically dominant. The Tigers managed only 14 points against Georgia Tech and the Buckeyes struggled defensively before pulling away late against winless Tulsa. - AP College Football

(DS#6 WR) Sr/2022

WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
News Source: AP College Football
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09/19/21 - Jaquan Brisker, rSr/2022, Penn State, 6-1, 206 (DS#2 SS) + More +

Jaquan Brisker skipped across a field littered with white pom poms and toward a row of Penn State students painted white from head to toe. The Nittany Lions' star safety had a big smile on his face, and it didn't fade one bit even as he tripped over a photographer while celebrating a dramatic win on a raucous night in Happy Valley. Brisker broke up a desperation pass toward the end zone by Auburn's Bo Nix as time expired and No. 10 Penn State held on to beat No. 22 Auburn 28-20. Sean Clifford completed 28 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns as Penn State welcomed back its white out crowd to Beaver Stadium for a rare visit from a Southeastern Conference teams. - AP College Football

(DS#2 SS) rSr/2022

SS Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
News Source: AP College Football
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09/19/21 - Jaquan Brisker, rSr/2022, Penn State, 6-1, 206 (DS#2 SS) + More +

Sean Clifford completed 28 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns as Penn State (3-0) welcomed back its white out crowd to Beaver Stadium for a rare visit from a Southeastern Conference teams. "I was ready," Brisker said. "When you come to Penn State, you expect to play in front of big crowds like this. You've got to take it in for 10 seconds, then it's back to reality." Jahan Dotson made 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, tight end Brenton Strange caught a touchdown and tight end Tyler Warren and Noah Cain ran for scores to help the Nittany Lions beat an SEC opponent at home for the first time since 1985 against Alabama. Penn State had to make two late defensive stands to hold the lead. "I think we have a really good mentality on defense," coach James Franklin said. "I think our leadership is really good. I think we're a mentally tough football team. I think we're a physically tough football team." - Penn State/AP College Football

(DS#2 SS) rSr/2022

SS Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
News Source: Penn State/AP College Football
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09/18/21 - Trey Potts, rSr/2024, Penn State, 5-09, 209 (DS#46 RB) + More +

Trey Potts ran for three touchdowns, Minnesota's swarming defense held Colorado to just 63 total yards and the Gophers won their 21st straight nonconference game by beating the Buffaloes 30-0 on Saturday. This marked the first time Colorado (1-2) has been shut out at Folsom Field since Nov. 3, 2012, against Stanford. The last nonconference team to shut out Colorado in Boulder was LSU on Sept. 15, 1979, according to research by the school. Wearing shiny gold helmets, the Gophers defense certainly sparkled. They sacked Colorado QB Brendon Lewis four times and held the Buffaloes offense to no passing plays of more than 15 yards or any runs longer than 10.

Colorado had just 7 total yards in the first half and couldn't get anything going in the second half, either. The Buffaloes finished with minus-19 yards on the ground. Minnesota also forced two turnovers - one on a fumble from Lewis and another when Dimitri Stanley muffed a punt. The Gophers (2-1) made it a memorable afternoon for P.J. Fleck, who was coaching in his 100th career game. He's now 58-42 overall, including 28-20 in five seasons with Minnesota. They finished with a 441-63 total-yards edge. Potts had TD runs of 13, 2 and 3 yards on his way to a 121-yard performance. It was another strong showing since taking over for injured tailback Mohamed Ibrahim, who was using a scooter to move around the sideline with his lower left leg in a green cast. Potts had 178 yards and two scores last weekend. - Minnesota/AP College Football

(DS#46 RB) rSr/2024

RB Trey Potts, Penn State
News Source: Minnesota/AP College Football
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09/11/21 - Trey Potts, rSr/2024, Penn State, 5-09, 209 (DS#46 RB) + More +

Treyson Potts listened intently to Mo Ibrahim between drives, the injured Minnesota star now serving as an unofficial coach and unwavering supporter of his successor in the backfield. Potts picked up where Ibrahim left off, rushing for 178 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start to help the Gophers fend off Miami of Ohio 31-26 on Saturday. "That's my partner in crime. He was right there the whole game with me, helping me manage the game and just giving me pointers. I've always been on his hip. I love that dude," said Potts, the third-year player from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who put the game away with 83 yards in the fourth quarter on 12 of his 34 carries. Ibrahim's season ended on an ill-fated plant of his foot on the turf in the opener last week against Ohio State.

The 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the Year was an honorary captain for the pregame coin flip, rolling out to midfield on a scooter to support his surgically repaired lower left leg. "Mo was a great teammate on the sideline. You've got to imagine how hard that is," coach P.J. Fleck said. "He's the ultimate competitor. It was an emotional week." Tanner Morgan connected with Dylan Wright and Daniel Jackson on scoring passes in the second quarter as the Gophers (1-1) took a 21-3 lead into halftime, before Redhawks (0-2) outgained them 128-15 in total yards in the third quarter to make them sweat it down the stretch. - Minnesota/AP College Football

(DS#46 RB) rSr/2024

RB Trey Potts, Penn State
News Source: Minnesota/AP College Football
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09/06/21 - Jordan Stout, rSr/2022, Penn State, 6-3, 209 (DS#2 P) + More +

SEPT 6 BIG TEN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Stout, Penn State, K/P - Sr. - Cedar Bluff, Va. - Honaker (Va.),...In Penn State's 16-10 road win at Wisconsin, averaged a career-high 53.9 yards per punt on seven punts, marking the second-highest single-game punting average in Penn State history, trailing only Ralph Giacomarro who averaged 54.75 yards per punt at Syracuse in 1981...Registered five punts of 50-plus yards, including a career-long 76-yarder in the third quarter. His 76-yard punt tied for the third-long punt in Nittany Lions history...Added a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 10-10...Garners the first Special Teams Player of the Week honor of his career...Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Jahan Dotson (Dec. 14, 2020). - Big Ten Football

(DS#2 P) rSr/2022

P Jordan Stout, Penn State
News Source: Big Ten Football
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09/04/21 - Jaquan Brisker, rSr/2022, Penn State, 6-1, 206 (DS#2 SS) + More +

Penn State's defense continually stood tall and Wisconsin kept stubbing its toe whenever the Badgers approached the end zone. Those contrasting approaches made the difference Saturday when the 19th-ranked Nittany Lions outlasted No. 12 Wisconsin 16-10 to end the Badgers' 25-game winning streak in home openers. Jaquan Brisker and Ji'Ayir Brown intercepted Graham Mertz's passes deep in Penn State territory in the final 2 1/2 minutes. Wisconsin had four scoreless trips inside Penn State's 25, including three inside the 10. "Our kids willed it to happen today," Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Penn State won despite getting just one first down before halftime and allowing Wisconsin to control possession for over 42 minutes. The victory assured Penn State would have a better start this year after losing its first five games in the pandemic-delayed 2020 season. Brisker picked off a fourth-and-goal pass at Penn State's 2 and returned it 41 yards with 2:15 left to preserve a 16-10 lead. Brown sealed the victory with an interception on the game's final play. - Penn State/AP College Football

(DS#2 SS) rSr/2022

SS Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
News Source: Penn State/AP College Football
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09/01/21 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Quarterback Sean Clifford and safety Jonathan Sutherland, both redshirt seniors, became the first three-time captains in Penn State history Tuesday when coach James Franklin named six players to the position for the 2021 season. Joining Clifford and Sutherland as captains are senior safety Jaquan Brisker, senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, redshirt senior kicker/punter Jordan Stout and junior offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. Stout was a captain last season. Clifford has played in 25 games (20 starts) while throwing for two or more touchdowns 11 times. - Tribune Review

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Tribune Review
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08/14/21 - Arnold Ebiketie, rSr/2022, Penn State, 6-3, 247 (DS#8 DE) + More +

Penn State's opening test at Wisconsin just got more difficult with the Adisa Isaac news. Isaac, a third-year defensive end, is expected to miss the season with an undisclosed injury suffered during the offseason. Franklin didn't offer any details, but Isaac was a contender to start. Wisconsin, which hosts the Lions on Sept. 4, is known for its physical offensive line play. The Lions are replacing first-team All-Big Ten ends Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh. Without Isaac, expect Penn State to turn to converted linebacker Nick Tarburton, who had a strong spring, and Temple transfer Arnold Ebiketie. Franklin said the 6-3, 256-pound Ebiketie, a standout defender for the Owls in 2020, has earned "rave reviews since he showed up on campus." - Tribune Review

(DS#8 DE) rSr/2022

DE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
News Source: Tribune Review
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08/12/21 - Adisa Isaac, rSr/2024, Penn State, 6-4, 247 (DS#5 DE) + More +

Penn State football will likely be without one of its projected starting defensive ends for the 2021 season. Junior defensive end Adisa Isaac was declared out for "a significant amount of time" by Penn State head coach James Franklin Saturday at the program's media day on Saturday. Franklin said the junior will not be available "likely for the season." Isaac was slated to start for the Nittany Lions after being a rotation player for the first two years he spent on campus. He was expected to step in to help replace Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh, who were both selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. He's recorded three sacks in his career and has the size and athleticism to be an elite defensive end in the Big Ten. Without Isaac, the team will need someone to step up to start across from Arnold Ebiketie along the edge of the defensive line. - Centre Times

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2024

DE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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07/28/21 - Lonnie White Jr., So/2025, Penn State, 6-2, 210 (DS#999 WR) + More +

One of Penn State football's top signees in the 2021 class will not be playing for the Nittany Lions. Four-star wide receiver Lonnie White Jr. will sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates and player Major League Baseball. The decision to sign was first reported by PhillyVoice. White told the outlet the decision was a difficult one to come to terms with, but made sure to inform Penn State head coach James Franklin that he was planning to play baseball.

The PSU signee was drafted No. 64 overall in competitive balance round B by the Pirates in a draft position that comes with a slotted bonus amount of $1.05 million - but he told PhillyVoice the amount he would make would be over that slot amount, a common practice in baseball to convince high school seniors to forgo their college careers and begin to play professionally. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that amount is $1.5 million. White was slated to play baseball and football with the Nittany Lions and was highly touted on the gridiron due to his size and athleticism on the outside. Penn State and Pittsburgh both confirmed White's decision Monday evening. - Centre Times

(DS#999 WR) So/2025

WR Lonnie White Jr., Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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