UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On a rainy Saturday afternoon in Happy Valley, the Penn State football team took to the field in Beaver Stadium for its annual Blue-White Game. The Blue team took down the White team, 10-0, to conclude the spring practice calendar for the squad.
Inside the Numbers
Two – Sacks for Dennis-Sutton
Dani Dennis-Sutton led the game with two sacks. The sophomore defensive end was a force for the White squad, recording three solo tackles in the game, including two sacks and a quarterback hurry.
Four – Solo tackles for Robinson
Freshman Ta'Mere Robinson was second on the White team defense with four solo tackles in the game. Fellow newcomer Tony Rojas, who appears later on this list, finished with six. The freshman linebackers really came to play for the Nittany Lions this afternoon and kept the Blue team scoring to a minimum despite Drew Allar's 200+ yards in the air.
Four – Pass Breakups for Blue
Abdul Carter, D'Von Ellies, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy each batted down a pass for the Blue squad. The Blue team secondary limited the White squad to just 56 total passing yards in the game.
Eight – Big (15+ yard) Passing Plays for Blue
Sophomore quarterback Allar went 19-30 for 202 yards in the air, including eight 15-plus-yard passing plays. His 28-yard strike to Omari Evans was the only touchdown of the contest. Allar completed a 15-plus-yard pass in every quarter of the ballgame as well, with Kaden Saunders on the receiving end of three of those big passes. Redshirt freshman Beau Pribula's got in on the action as well, throwing a 22-yard pass to Evans himself.
Nine – Total Tackles for Rojas
Rojas, another freshman linebacker, led the game with nine total tackles for the White team. He was flying all around the field, with one pass breakup and a half-tackle for loss as well.
28 – Yard touchdown from Allar to Evans
The longest offensive play of the game was the only touchdown of the contest as well, coming in the first quarter. Allar found Evans for a 28-yard score to put the blue team up early, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
62 – Yard punt for Thompson
Senior punter Riley Thompson bombed a 62-yard punt on the first drive of the game for the Blue squad. The FAU transfer made his only attempt of the day count, going for over 50 yards with one boot.
80 – Receiving Yards for Evans
Evans, a sophomore wide receiver, topped both squads with 80 yards in the air for team Blue. He hauled in five of his seven targets for 80 yards and the only touchdown of the game.
107 – Passing Yards for Blue in the Second Quarter
Allar and Pribula led the Blue squad to over 100 yards in the air in the second quarter of the game. In just 11 minutes, the two quarterbacks completed eight-of-12 passes for 107 yards.
202 – Passing Yards for Allar
The second-year signal caller led the Blue offense all day long, completing 63 percent of his passes on the day. He threw for the only touchdown of the day, capping off a solid outing in his final action this spring.
63,000 – Fans in Attendance
Despite early rain, an estimated 63,000 fans showed out to support the Nittany Lions at their annual spring game. The clouds dissipated towards the end of the game and the Penn State faithful were treated to a sunny conclusion to the 2023 Blue-White Game.
Award Winners
Four Nittany Lions were recognized for their performances during spring practice at halftime of the game. Junior Curtis Jacobs was presented with the Jim O'Hora Award, sophomore Nicholas Singleton was given the Red Worrell Award, and redshirt sophomore Tyler Duzansky was given the Coaches Special Team Award.
The duo of Keaton Ellis and Olumuyiwa Fashanu were honored with the Frank Patrick Memorial Total Commitment Award which annually goes to squad members who consistently follow through with their responsibilities in all facets of the football program and do so in exemplary manner. This includes academic pursuits, off-season preparation, in-season commitment, demeanor and community service. Jeff Hartings, Wally Richardson, Justin Kurpeikis, Bryan Scott, Robbie Gould, Josh Hull, John Urschel, Trace McSorley, Tommy Stevens, Jonathan Sutherland, Sean Clifford, Juice Scruggs, Tyler Warren, and Nick Tarburton are among the previous recipients.
The Worrell Award is presented to the offensive player who has best demonstrated exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement during spring practice. The prize was first presented in 1958 and is named in the honor of the late Red Worrell, a high school All-American from Centerville HS who was tragically electrocuted in an accident after an exceptional season on the 1957 Nittany Lion freshman team. Past Worrell Award winners include former offensive coordinator Fran Ganter, Lydell Mitchell, Mickey Shuler, Steve Smith, Kyle Brady, Bryant Johnson, Rodney Kinlaw, Graham Zug, Matt Stankiewitch, Ty Howle, Brian Gaia, Brendan Mahon, Juwan Johnson, Miles Sanders, Michael Menet, Blake Zalar, and Olumuyiwa Fashanu.
The defensive award is named in honor of Jim O'Hora, a long-time Penn State assistant coach who was a member of the coaching staff for 31 years. Loyalty and attitude especially characterized Jim O'Hora and has typified many of the previous winners, including Walker Lee Ashley, Andre Collins, Michael Haynes, Anthony Adams, Tim Shaw, Michael Mauti, Jordan Hill and Stephon Morris, Jordan Lucas, C.J. Olaniyan, Anthony Zettel, Garrett Sickels, Koa Farmer, Kevin Givens, Yetur Gross-Matos, Tariq Castro-Fields, P.J. Mustipher, and Ji'Ayir Brown. The O'Hora Award was first presented in 1977.
The Coaches Special Team Award is given to the specialist who demonstrated loyalty, interest, attitude & improvement in spring practice. Thomas joins Sam Ficken, Joey Julius, Johnathan Thomas, Kyle Vasey, Tyler Yazujian, Jonathan Sutherland, Brown, and Barney Amor as award recipients..
