Penn State opened the 2025 campaign without having to deal with much drama or suspense, which was expected given a wide point spread for the first game of the season. Penn State paced itself to a comfortable 46-11 victory over Nevada in the first meeting between the two schools. The game was one that offered a glimpse of good things to come from the offense with a rejuvenated crop of wide receivers from the transfer portal and one of Penn State’s top defensive players reminding everyone why they should not be overlooking him this season.
With the first game of the year in the books, it is time to start handing out some postgame grades for the first time this season. Here is the first postgame report card of the 2025 season.
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Quarterback: B+
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had an efficiently productive afternoon in his first game of the season. The final stat line won’t necessarily wow you at first glance with 217 passing yards and 1 touchdown, but he did complete 22 of 26 passes. The few incompletions he threw included a couple of passes that were either just behind his target or a little too hard, but Allar was showing the ability to connect with his new receivers from the transfer portal, which is encouraging.
Running Backs: B
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Nevada 46-9. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
As far as rushing yardage is concerned, it was not a banner day for Nicholas Singleton or Kaytron Allen, but it also did not need to be. The two backs, who each decided to return for another year together in Happy Valley when other options could have easily been available at the next level or through the transfer portal, combined for three touchdowns.
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Receivers and Tight Ends: B+
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kyron Hudson (1) celebrates with wide receiver Trebor Peña (8) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
This was a good thing to see. New wide receiver Kyron Hudson led the Nittany Lions with 89 yards and a touchdown, and Trebor Pena was the second-leading receiver with 74 yards. It is a long way to go this season, but this was a solid debut for a couple of Penn State’s more notable transfer portal additions this past offseason.
The tight ends, Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds, combined for three receptions and 35 yards, which leaves a lot of room to make up for the NFL departure of Tyler Warren. But if the receivers are doing their thing, there will be more time for the tight ends to truly find their role to contribute.
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Defense: A+
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) reacts following a tackle during the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Not much more needs to be said about the performance the defense had against Nevada. Dani Dennis-Sutton forcing two fumbles that eventually led to Penn State points was just part of his impressive season debut. Zane Durant had an interception and A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley pounced on the loose balls created by Dennis-Sutton. Penn State kept Nevada out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter.
Special Teams: A
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion fans await the arrival of the team prior to the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Ryan Barker was perfect on his kick attempts against Nevada with four field goals and three PATs. But the real positive development with Penn State’s special teams was seeing King Mack with a couple of solid kickoff returns, including a 73-yard kickoff return with a hurdle of the kicker. Penn State has lacked a big-play special teams returner in recent years, so seeing Mack break off a long return was fun to see. Whether that leads to more big returns moving forward remains to be seen. Penn State did not punt against Nevada.
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Coaching: B+
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Against an overmatched opponent, Penn State’s coaching staff did not have to experiment too much to come up with a winning game plan. But that also allowed offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to try out a few new twists with his new receivers and allowed new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to see his new pieces in action against live competition. Both thrived with their plans of attack against Nevada.
Overall: A
Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Kyron Hudson (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
There really was not a whole lot to complain about following this game. The running game and the tight ends will get their opportunities to shine moving forward, if that was the only thing to nitpick about in the season opener. Penn State did leave some points on the field by settling for a couple of field goals despite great starting field position provided by the defense and special teams, but there will be no complaints after a 30+ point victory to start the season.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State postgame report card after Week 1
