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Carter thrives as edge rusher this year

By Travis Johnson The Associated Press UNIVERSITY PARK — Abdul Carter is having the most fun he’s ever had playing football and his teammates on No. 3 Penn State’s defense are feeling the effects. Sure, they’ve enjoyed Carter’s violent pass rushes, sideline-to-sideline tackling, and his stern, crossed-arms, nodding-head celebration. Above all, they love the space Carter’s mere presence provides them as Penn State’s opponents have had to account more for the rangy linebacker-turned-end this season. Carter leads Penn State’s fourth-ranked defense with four sacks ...

Nittany Lions, Kotelnicki must stay aggressive, be creative

What is PSU's best formula for beating Ohio State? By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Andy Kotelnicki has been the life of the party since arriving at Penn State. The offensive coordinator’s personality and fingerprints have been all over the Nittany Lions’ 7-0 start heading into Saturday’s season-definer against Ohio State (6-1). How Kotelnicki keeps the offense moving against the Buckeyes will go a long way toward pushing the Lions’ program into the elite status James Franklin publicly pledged to attain after a frustrating loss to Ohio State in 2018. He’s still ...

Penn State in need of fast start, effective Pribula to win

What is PSU’s best formula for beating Ohio State? By Cory Giger sports@altoonamirror.com Everybody keeps heaping all kinds of praise on Andy Kotelnicki as an offensive coordinator. Be that as it may, he needs to be doing his job better in the first half. The Lions scored seven points in the first half against Illinois (tied 7-7 at the break). They scored six points in the first half at USC (trailed 20-6). Kotelnicki’s incredibly creative playcalling on the first series of that game was masterful, but it only produced a field goal, and the offense managed just three more ...

Allar returns to practice

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar did not appear to be limited during Wednesday’s practice session that was open to the media. Allar threw, took part in ball protection drills and did some light running. He wore long sweat pants while the other quarterbacks wore shorts. Allar injured his left knee during last week’s game at Wisconsin and did not play in the second half. He wore a brace after the injury at Wisconsin. Beau Pribula relieved Allar and completed 11-of-13 passes to spark the Nittany Lions’ 28-13 victory. They trailed 10-7 at half. Defensive end Dani ...

Penn State has Buckeye DC’s attention

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com It used to be that Ohio State’s path to victory was merely to outscore everybody. The Buckeyes have attempted to change that narrative under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, now in his third season. Penn State got a dose of Knowles’ work last year as it was held to 12 points in Columbus — and that included a late TD with the Buckeyes up 20-6. Ohio State (6-1) currently leads the Big Ten in total defense, allowing 11.86 points per game, which ranks fourth nationally. “Obviously, the last two years, they’ve played really good ...

QB decision will go right up to kickoff for PSU

Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Monday press conference: Saturday’s game: vs. Ohio State (noon, FOX) Records: Penn State (7-0), Ohio State (6-1) Odds: Ohio State is a 3.5-point favorite. Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 3 by the Associated Press, and Ohio State is No. 4. Series: Ohio State leads, 25-14, and has won seven straight. All eyes on the QB(s) Franklin said the decision on Drew Allar’s status likely will go “all the way up to the game,” and that backup Beau Pribula will have to split repetitions in practice “no matter where we’re ...