Penn State Prepares for Top-5 Showdown with Oregon following Week 2 Improvements
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Penn State football faces its toughest test of the season on September 27th when it hosts No. 4 Oregon, and the team is using its bye week to refine both sides of the ball after a Week 2 victory over Villanova. The Nittany Lions are focused on matching the offensive firepower of the Ducks, who are averaging 54 points per game to start the 2025 season, while simultaneously solidifying a defensive scheme impacted by new NCAA rules.
The Penn State defense has undergone adjustments due to a new NCAA regulation limiting communication with coaches to one player at a time. This has necessitated a helmet-switching system between safeties and linebackers,a process that presented challenges in the season opener against Nevada.However, Head Coach James Franklin expressed optimism about the unit’s progress, stating, “I thought our defense considerably took a step this week, just more confidence, more command, more control. Especially from our safeties and linebackers, who are kind of running the show.” Linebacker Kaden Dot will start at middle linebacker, with Rojas taking the will linebacker role.
On the offensive side, Penn State is leveraging a seven-deep rotation on the offensive line to maintain player freshness throughout the season. Offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh embraced the competition, saying, “I love competition. I love trying to prove myself every single day. So for me, it’s not a problem at all…Having seven guys that you can be able to rotate in and out, and just keep guys fresh, is going to be very helpful throughout the season.” Donkoh and tight end Luke Reynolds both emphasized that the rotation hasn’t negatively impacted team chemistry.
Reynolds led the tight ends with four receptions for 73 yards against Villanova,alongside khalil dinkins who also recorded a catch. The tight end position could prove crucial against Oregon, recalling Tyler Warren’s seven catches for 84 yards in last season’s Big Ten championship game.
The quarterback matchup will also be a key factor.Oregon’s Dante Moore will be making his first true away game appearance in the challenging atmosphere of Penn State’s White Out. Penn State’s Drew Allar will look to rebound after throwing his first interception of the season against villanova, but will draw confidence from his strong performance against the Ducks last year, where he threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns.
The bye week provides a critical possibility for the Penn State staff to finalize their defensive installation and prepare for a talented Oregon team. The game promises to be a significant early-season test for both programs.
About the Author: Collin is a third-year majoring in digital/print journalism. He lives in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and enjoys taylor ham egg and cheese. As a New York giants and Chelsea FC fan you can normally find him yelling at his TV screen on the weekends. Please follow him on X(formally Twitter) @wardcollinz for Penn State football stuff. To reach him email him at [email protected].