5 reasons why Penn State’s offense is averaging almost 450 yards per game

When you put up 518 yards of total offense against the No. 1 team in the country, defenses tend to notice.

SMU (11-2), which visits Penn State (11-2) on Dec. 21 in a first-round playoff game, no doubt will be focusing on the Nittany Lions’ foursome of quarterback Drew Allar, tight end Tyler Warren and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

The quartet caused serious problems for Oregon in the Ducks’ 45-37 victory over Penn State in the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis. PSU is averaging 448.6 yards, ranking the Lions 15th in FBS.

But there’s more to it.

A number of under-the-radar players have made big strides for Penn State, and James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki know it.

Let’s start with these five.

Vega Ioane

The 6-foot-4, 348-pound Ioane, Penn State’s left guard, is the most obvious name on the list, but offensive linemen tend to get overlooked.

Still, it’s hard to miss Ioane, a redshirt sophomore who is the team’s best lineman. He also can play center. A power player, Ioane has started all 13 games, and he was named second-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-Associated Press.

Nolan Rucci

The Wisconsin transfer took over at right tackle after regular starter Anthony Donkoh suffered a long-term injury in PSU’s 26-25 win Nov. 23 at Minnesota.

The 6-8, 308-pound Rucci, a redshirt junior, began the season as the Lions’ swing tackle. He was part of a PSU O-line effort that helped produce 292 rushing yards against Oregon. Allar was sacked once in the game. Franklin praised his offensive linemen and tight ends for their efforts against the Ducks on Sunday.

Nick Dawkins

Dawkins, who waited his turn behind standout Penn State centers Juice Scruggs and Hunter Nourzad, has been an impact player in the middle of Penn State’s offensive line.

The 6-4, 298-pound Dawkins, a redshirt senior, is a team captain. He has made all 13 starts at center and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention choice by the conference’s media.

Luke Reynolds

When Penn State uses multiple tight ends, Reynolds or Khalil Dinkins see plenty of action with Warren.

Reynolds, a freshman, is a five-star signee who has added significant weight to this frame since arriving in State College. He is listed at 6-4, 248. Reynolds has appeared in all 13 games, making three starts.

Reynolds caught a touchdown pass against Purdue, and he was named the Penn State coaching staff’s player of the game against Wisconsin. But PSU fans remember Reynolds’ special teams play at Minnesota, when he ran 32 yards with a fake punt on the Lions’ lengthy offensive possession to run out the clock on the Gophers.

Sal Wormley

If the focus is on under-the-radar players, then Wormley deserves some attention. The Lions’ redshirt senior made his 39th career start at right guard against Oregon.

One of the Lions’ most consistent performers, the 6-3, 327-pound Wormley was voted third-team All-Big Ten by the conference’s media.