UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa - Playing in a memorable Penn State White Out game at Beaver Stadium, wide receiver Jahan Dotson made timely plays to keep Penn State's offense surging, as the No. 10 Nittany Lions defeated the No. 22 Auburn Tigers 28-20.
Late in the first quarter, quarterback Sean Clifford scrambled and found Dotson in the endzone to put the Nittany Lions on the board.
"Jahan is somebody that is ultra talented,"Clifford said. "He's one of the most talented guys I've ever met."
The connection marked Dotson's fifth-straight game with a touchdown, dating back to last season. But the senior playmaker was not done yet.
Showcasing his athletic ability, Dotson soured high in the air to haul in a 23-yard catch in the 2nd quarter.
Later on during Penn State's 14-play, 91-yard scoring drive, Dotson's name was called to pull off a trick play.
"They called the play in and I tried not to show any emotions to give away to the defense, but I was so happy they called it," Dotson said. "I've been waiting to throw the ball all year. That was my opportunity."
Dotson caught a backwards pass from Clifford and fired a 22-yard strike to tight end Tyler Warren.
Despite being one of the primary focuses of Auburn's coaching staff, Dotson continued to find soft spots in the defense throughout the entire game.
With Penn State backed up against its own goal line in the fourth quarter and in need of a first down, Clifford sought out Dotson down the sideline, who drew a crucial pass interference penalty against the defense.
"We all knew during camp that he was a guy we go to in certain situations, so he's going to step up when his name is called," running back Noah Cain said. "In my opinion, one of the top five best receivers in the country."
The senior receiver finished with 10 receptions on 12 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Through three games, Penn State's top offensive weapon has amassed an outstanding total of 20 receptions for 245 yards (12.3 yards per reception) and three touchdowns.
Dotson credits first-year offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich for putting him and his teammates in positions to be successful.
"Coach Yurcich, I said at the beginning of the season, he's a mastermind, and I truly believe that he has an answer for every single thing that a defense throws at us," said Dotson. "It's just great to have a guy like that."
Though he has seen an increase in usage and production throughout his years in Happy Valley, Dotson's on-field demeanor has never seemed to change.
"He doesn't really talk too much, he just goes about his business and that's really all you can ask for," Caid said. "You can see the hunger in his face, everybody's seen it, and he's gonna keep balling for us and making plays."
"I kind of just have tunnel vision when I'm out here. This is what I love to do. So, during the play I don't hear the crowd or anything, I kind of just locked in on what I'm doing out there," Dotson said. "It's just a game. And I'm just having fun doing it."
