What Penn State Football Can Learn in 2024 From 2023 Disappointment | KULP (2024)

What did we learn from Penn State Football in 2023 that provides positivity and excitement toward kickoff 2024?

The Nittany Lions‘ Defense was superb, national championship caliber, even, in 2023.

Penn State FootballPenn State Football DE Dani-Dennis Sutton could be in for a breakout season in 2024. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

After all, Penn State finished 2023 with No. 2 overall defensive unit in the nation.

The expectation is that inherently, although still a fearsome force, the PSU defense will assuredly take a step back but still remain a top-10 squad.

Here’s a look at what Penn State Football can learn from, and build off, from last season’s disappointment in 2024.

The Penn State Football Offense was lackluster in 2023, or was it?

Penn State Football, Drew AllarPenn State Nittany Lions Quarterback Drew Allar (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

I know, I know: Once again Penn State Football beat who they should have, and choked against the big guys.

‘Anybody can beat those other teams!’ Obviously not, because that wasn’t the case for many other teams, and despite the issues: Young, first-year starting QB, inconsistent wide receiver play, an ineffective offensive coordinator that was fired partway through the season. Penn State STILL finished with the No. 2 overall offense in the Big Ten.

Just think of where Penn State could have been with an offense that was able to adjust, and just find ways to step up a few times?

That’s what brings me to NOW.

Mike Yurcich is gone, and he’s been replaced by Andy Kotelnicki.

Andy Kotelnicki is not Mike Yurcich.

Last season, Yurcich coached on efficiency. Completions. Limiting mistakes. Protection. Safe.

Meanwhile, Kotelnicki coaches on opportunities. Making plays. Explosiveness. Unpredictability. Taking chances.
Complete opposites.

What we’ve learned is that in some places, Penn State Football needs a drastic change, yet not much change in others.

For example, the offense was lethargic at times, predictable, and the guards it seemed were kept on quarterback Drew Allar for too long. Introducing unpredictability, and a bit of creativity in pivotal moments when needed, while letting Allar be the athlete he was recruited to be, during an absolutely make or break a season.

But, PSU had two losses by a total of 17 points to the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the nation. Does all the bathwater need to be thrown out?

I reason that if you improve the PSU offense’s overall production by 20-25 percent, Penn State will go 11-1 in 2024.

Individual Unit Impact

Julian Fleming, Penn State FootballPenn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports)

Penn State Football lost a top Tight End to the NFL, but no one is concerned with elite Tyler Warren on point this year.

Likewise, Penn State lost Wide Receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith, who, after initially making a huge impact, drifted off into invisibility as the season wore on.

But, former five-star target Julian Fleming is transferring from the Buckeyes and will fill that gap.

What about the Offensive Line? Great question, Brad!

With three starters off to the NFL, there are big shoes to fill.

Luckily, Kotelnicki is a former offensive lineman himself, having played three seasons at the collegiate level for Wisconsin-River Falls at the center position.

It’s an important piece for Kotelnicki personally, and much like his playing days and previous coaching stops, he brings the fire to the gridiron, constantly elevating those around him in the position.

Center: Nick Dawkins takes “center” stage. He appeared in 13 games and is well-prepared to fill the role.

Right and Left Tackle: Moving along to the outside of the offensive line, two players will need to step up to replace Olu Fashanu and Caeden Wallace.

In addition to former 5-star Nolan Rucci, who transferred in from Wisconsin and may fight for a starting tackle job, two freshmen have shown promise during winter and spring camp: J’ven Williams and Anthony Donkoh.

Because he played tackle in high school, JB Nelson might also be moved from guard to tackle, with Vega Loane filling in at the other guard position opposite Sal Wormley.

There are no real concerns at offensive line, and they should be able to replicate its success from the previous season in Week 1 against West Virginia, even with three NFL departures and a new offensive coach in charge.

Head coach James Franklin and company have done a great job replacing pieces, preparing depth, and keeping Penn State in a great position on offense heading into 2024.