Jon "JR" Rhoades 
Penn State exiting the locker room.
Heading into the third game of the season, Penn State faces Kent State in what many see as a pivotal “get-right” opportunity after an uneven performance in Week 2. While the Nittany Lions are coming off a win, there are several areas they need to clean up before heading into the heart of their schedule, including tackling, third-down efficiency, and penalties. Hosting Kent State provides an ideal chance for the team to address these issues and build momentum before their upcoming matchup against No. 24 Illinois.
Penn State’s Uneven Start
The Nittany Lions, while showing flashes of brilliance, have slightly underperformed relative to expectations. After a strong opening win against West Virginia, they struggled against Bowling Green, particularly with third-down conversions and execution in key moments. The defense, expected to be one of the best in the nation, hasn’t fully met its potential. Though there is a lot of optimism about Penn State’s roster, especially their young stars, it’s clear that there’s work to be done.
Despite these concerns, Penn State remains in a solid position. A game against Kent State, who just suffered a 71-0 loss to No. 6 Tennessee, offers a prime opportunity for the Nittany Lions to dominate and address their shortcomings.
Key Matchups: Players and Groups to Watch
For Penn State, one of the key groups to watch is the defensive line, particularly Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton, both of whom are looking to record their first sacks of the season. Despite facing fewer pass-rushing opportunities in their first two games, they have the talent to break through against Kent State’s vulnerable offensive line. Kent State has shown some ability to pass the ball downfield, but the combination of a shaky offensive front and Penn State’s defensive potential could spell trouble for the Golden Flashes.
On the offensive side, running back Nicholas Singleton has been adamant about becoming more explosive, and he’s delivered thus far with three runs of 40+ yards and an average of nearly 9 yards per carry. Given that Kent State’s defense gave up nine runs of 15+ yards and three touchdowns on the ground last week, Singleton and fellow running back Kaytron Allen should have a field day.
Kent State’s roster is also depleted, with several key players, including running backs Ky Thomas and Curtis Douglas, listed as questionable. Without a healthy running game, Kent State will likely rely heavily on its passing attack, but Penn State’s secondary, despite missing Kevin Winston Jr., should have the upper hand.
What to Expect: A Clean and Dominant Performance
In all likelihood, Penn State will approach this game looking to return to their dominant form. The defense should stifle Kent State, and the offense—particularly the running game—will aim to exploit a vulnerable Golden Flashes defense that just allowed 71 points to Tennessee.
If the Nittany Lions can avoid penalties and improve their third-down efficiency, this game could be a near-flawless performance heading into their more challenging Big Ten matchups. With Illinois looming, this is Penn State’s opportunity to fine-tune their execution.
Prediction: Penn State 56, Kent State 0
Given the mismatch in talent, depth, and momentum, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Kent State poses much of a threat. The expectation is that Penn State will win comfortably, reestablish their dominance, and leave Happy Valley with a commanding shutout victory. Look for the Nittany Lions to use this game as a springboard to regain national attention.
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