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Penn State Football, Trebor Pena Penn State Football will need more from playmakers such as WR Trebor Pena when Big Ten play begins. (Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)

James Franklin’s Big Challenge for Penn State’s Offense Ahead of Big Clash vs. Oregon

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Joe Staszak | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 12:09 PM ET

Head coach James Franklin isn’t mincing words when it comes to what Penn State’s offense needs to take the next step.

After watching his Nittany Lions roll to a 3–0 start, the head coach put the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of his playmakers as they prepare for the Oregon Ducks.

“If each one of them makes one special play a game where they bring something more to the table than the O-line or the scheme got them, we’re going to be in good shape,” Franklin told reporters this week. “When you talk about the tight ends and the receivers and the running backs, that’s eight special plays a game. That adds up quick.”

Through three weeks, Penn State’s offense has already provided plenty of examples that show Franklin’s vision in action.

As the Nittany Lions prepare for their toughest test yet against Oregon, those isolated moments of brilliance could be the difference between competing and defeating.

Inside Penn State Football’s Big Play Potential

Here’s a breakdown of the players Franklin and Penn State will be leaning on most, against Oregon and beyond, and the big plays that they have managed to produce through the season’s first three games.

The Special Plays From the Special Players

Nevada: W 46-11

Kyron Hudson – 31-yard TD catch before halftime
Nicholas Singleton – two rushing touchdowns
Trebor Peña – 6 receptions, 89 yards

Penn State Football, Nick Singleton Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are making a charge at Penn State’s all-time rushing record. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

FIU: W 34-0

Devonte Ross – 42-yard, one-handed TD catch
Kaytron Allen – 16 carries, 144 yards, 67-yard TD run
Khalil Dinkins – 9-yard touchdown catch
Singleton – late 5-yard touchdown run

Villanova: W 52-6

Luke Reynolds – 4 receptions, 73 yards (22 & 21- yard chunk receptions)
Kaytron Allen – 10 carries, 86 yards, 18-yard TD ru
Hudson – 11-yard drive-extending catch

A Mathematical Certainty for Penn State?

Oregon is built to neutralize schemes.

The Ducks are fast and fly to the ball, close space quickly, and trust their athletes to win one-on-one battles. That means Franklin’s math becomes critical.

If Allen breaks a tackle and finds a small hole to squeeze through, if Reynolds hits a seam route for a 20-yard catch, if Ross or Hudson stretches the field vertically to loosen up the Ducks’ secondary, each of those chunk plays puts pressure on the Ducks.

Eight of them in a game, as Franklin notes, adds up quickly.

Penn State hasn’t needed perfection to start 3–0. They’ve needed flashes of brilliance layered on top of balance and execution to finish strong despite three slow starts.

They’ve gotten them.

From Allen’s 67-yard dagger, to Ross’ circus catch, to Reynolds’ breakout game at tight end, the contributions have added up to a solid 3-0 start to a promising season inundated with expectations.

If Franklin’s playmakers keep stacking those moments, one apiece, every game, the Nittany Lions won’t just be in good shape versus Oregon they’ll be 4-0 when the scoreboard shows all zeroes.

This article first appeared on Nittany Central and was syndicated with permission.

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