Penn State quarterback Drew Allard (15) leaves the field after an NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Barry Reagor) )
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WHTM) – The Penn State football Blue vs. White game on April 13 saw the White team shut out the Blue team 27-0.
As fans look forward to the 2024 season, this game showed there is room for improvement and highlighted the positive aspects of the team.
Following the Blue-White Game, here are some things to expect from the Nittany Lions this season.
4. Look at true freshman Quinton Martin.
Martin rushed six times for 34 yards and two touchdowns against the Blue-White. Martin, a native of Belle Vernon, was one of Penn State's top running backs when he committed to Penn State in December.
“He's a great kid,” head coach James Franklin said. “He's learned the offense really well. I think he's got really good vision. But between now and West Virginia, he's got a lot of work to do and I'm sure he'll get it done. I think he has a chance to compete for a spot in the rotation in training camp.”
Martin received the most playing time against the Blue-Whites as Caitron Allen and Nick Singleton did not play. Franklin said after the game that Singleton chose not to play and that Allen had “bruises” and bruises that kept him sidelined.
3. New technology for coaches
Franklin and his staff typically use headsets for games, but that is changing. The coaching staff plans to primarily use iPads again next season, and Saturday's game was the first time they tried them out. Franklin said there are some complications that he intends to address before the start of the season.
“(It wasn't) perfect, but it's worth doing it a few times before the season at Beaver Stadium,” Franklin said. “We've had issues with screen glare, so we need to look at ways to adjust for them.”
2. Drew Allard remained consistent.
Quarterback Drew Allard threw for 202 yards against the Blue-White last season, which is exactly the same amount of yards the junior recorded in this year's matchup. Aller threw one touchdown and contributed to the victory for the white team.
1. Transferred AJ Harris had a solid performance.
In fans' first look at Georgia transfer AJ Harris, the sophomore cornerback had seven tackles, two for loss, and a pass breakup for the Blue team.
