Penn State began this season with a backup quarterback who had played in one game and who had attempted two passes.
One of coach James Franklin’s top priorities in the opener was to get Ethan Grunkemeyer plenty of snaps against Nevada, and he did.
Grunkemeyer played the entire fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions’ 46-11 rout, completing 7-of-9 passes for 86 yards and running for a 6-yard touchdown.
“I was very impressed with Grunk and his performance,” Franklin said Monday during his weekly press conference. “I actually thought he played better in the game than he’s practiced at times. He wasn’t holding onto the ball. He was decisive.
“When he did get pressure, he was able to step up in the pocket, find outlets quickly and get the ball out of his hand.”
The 6-2, 212-pound redshirt freshman edged redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik during preseason camp for the No. 2 job behind Drew Allar. He was rated a four-star prospect coming out of Ohio’s Oletangy High School.
He directed Penn State on a 15-play, 94-yard scoring drive on his first series against Nevada. He went 4-for-6 passing for 73 yards and finished the possession with his scoring run.
“I was very pleased with how he played and how he managed the game overall,” Franklin said. “To go down on a drive and score a touchdown with his feet was positive as well.”
But he really liked that Grunkemeyer played 25 snaps, far more than he had against SMU in the first-round College Football Playoff game in December.
“The biggest value in it is that this isn’t make-believe football,” Franklin said, “where you’re back there in the pocket (in practice), patting the ball, patting the ball, patting the ball waiting for something to come open because the D-linemen get their heads ripped off if they come anywhere near you.
“The game reps are so important because you’re out there playing the game and managing the game. You’re going to get a true evaluation. Hopefully we’ll get him more time this week.”
Penn State has been installed as a 42-point favorite for Saturday against FIU (1-0) at noon at Beaver Stadium (TV-BTN).
Franklin also would like to get wide receiver Devonte Ross, a transfer from Troy, and tight end Khalil Dinkins more involved in the passing game against the Panthers. Each had one catch against Nevada.
Allar was very efficient, going 22-for-26 for 217 yards and a beautiful 31-yard touchdown pass to USC transfer Kyron Hudson.
“I thought Drew played how I expected him to play,” Franklin said. “He was consistent. He made some big-time throws. He made a couple out-breaking throws that very few college players and only a handful of NFL quarterbacks can make. He extended plays. He had that one run that I would have liked for him to get down faster. He took too many shots on that. Overall I was pleased.”
Hudson and Syracuse transfer Trebor Pena combined for 13 catches for 163 yards, lifting the wide receiver position.
“The passing game was an emphasis going into the season and last week,” Franklin said. “I thought Hudson and Pena really played well. If you combine Drew and Grunk’s numbers (29-for-35 for 303 yards), they’re good. I’d just like to get a few more chunk plays and get the ball down the field more.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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