Penn State football notebook | Changes and anticipation ahead of week 1

In just two days, Penn State opens its season under the lights against West Virginia, and there is plenty of excitement but also some changes coming for the 2023 team.

It will be the first action for many following the annual Blue-White game in the spring and the first proper game since a 35-21 win over Utah in the Rose Bowl.

Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s media availability.

Landon Tengwall Retires

It’s hard to talk about the main takeaways from James Franklin’s media availability without talking about Landon Tengwall announcing his retirement via Twitter on Wednesday evening.

“Unfortunately, I have sustained an injury that will not allow me to safely continue to play the game I love, and that has given me so much,” Tengwall said. “I want to thank my family, my friends, Coach Franklin, Coach Trautwein, my teammates and all the Penn State coaches and staff.”

An Annapolis, Maryland native, Tengwall appeared in eight games across two seasons on the offensive line, including five starts. All of his starts came in the early half of last season before he suffered a season-ending injury following the Northwestern game.

“At the end of the day, he is a part of our family always has been, always will be that will never change based on the circumstances,” Franklin said.

JB Nelson rises on the depth chart

Now going hand in hand with Tengwall’s retirement, it leaves a hole at left guard and opens the door for JB Nelson.

The redshirt junior out of Pittsburgh came over to Penn State from Lackawanna Community College and made four appearances last year on the offensive line.

Last week, coach Franklin had alluded to Nelson playing a factor throughout and leading into the season.

“We went into this year feeling like JB was going to factor in either as a starter or starter type reps,” Franklin said. “He may be our most physical offensive lineman that we have, we expect him to play a significant role this year.”

Nittany Lions Ready to Roar

The last time Penn State stepped on the field was April 15 for the Blue-White game, and the last time it faced another opponent was January 2 in Pasadena.

It has been even longer since the blue and white opened at home in 2019 against Idaho, a 79-7 thrashing by the Nittany Lions.

“I think there’s an excitement about opening it up here at home, especially primetime, 7:30 at night, should be a great environment,” Franklin said. “I think our players and our staff are excited about the opportunity.”

It’s not just the coaching staff that is ready to go. Players like defensive end Adisa Issac are ready to face off against someone who isn’t a teammate.

“It’s been a long offseason going against our offense every day in camp,” Issac said. “Man, I’m tired of going against them. I need to go against somebody else. I’m really excited about that. I’m sure everybody else is too.”

Trusting the process

Not only has Issac been excited to get back on the field, but a player and person Franklin is extremely proud to have on his team.

“Just a phenomenal young man. I would hire Adisa,” Franklin said. “I got no problem pounding the table with NFL teams for Adisa.”

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Issac is looking healthy once again, and prepared to build off his All-Big Ten third-team honor from last year. Franklin pointed out that going through adversity is what has made him great.

“Adisa is the player and the person he is today for going through it. And I think that’s a valuable lesson we all learn over time,” Franklin said. “All these adversities and challenges that may come at you. And a lot of times, they’re blessings, right? They force you to grow in ways you normally wouldn’t grow.”

Issac has been a role model not only on the field but also off it for players on the defensive line and the team as a whole in becoming the best version of himself, as Franklin hopes for all his players.

Lambert-Smith and Wallace at the top of WR Room

One of the most prominent question marks for Penn State has been at the wide receiver and who factors in at the third spot, but it has been the top two, Keandre Lambert-Smith and Harrison Wallace, setting the tone.

“​​You’ll see two guys, [Harrison Wallce] and [Keandre Lambert-Smith], play in more starter-type roles,” Franklin said. “We feel like we have the ability to move Trey and Dre around, which is essential to get those other guys on the field.

Lambert-Smith is expected to be the top receiver in the room and is coming off a 2022 where he hauled in 24 catches with 389 yards and four touchdowns, while Wallace snagged 19 receptions for 273 yards and a touchdown.

Throughout the summer and camp, the two have pushed each other and demanded more from each other to be big-play wide receivers.

“When we catch the ball, we’re not looking to go out of bounds. We’re looking to try and cut back, make them miss and be explosive,” Lambert-Smith said. “That created a culture of competition, and when you create that culture in a room, you gotta be on everybody, all your guys’ game. We are ready for it this year.”

Matt Scalzo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email matt.scalzo8@gmail.com or mms7477@psu.edu.