Thursday, May 29, 2025, 1:02AM |  59°
MENU
Advertisement
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg throws to fellow freshman Richy Anderson against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 7.
1
MORE

Little depth at Penn State makes for a 'fresh' start

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Little depth at Penn State makes for a 'fresh' start

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Thursday mornings during the season, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien and his staff meet for a discussion that mashes up freshmen football players with the basic concepts of traffic etiquette.

"We look at where we're at injury-wise and those kinds of things and talk about guys that have the red light, the green light or the yellow light," O'Brien said.

In three games so far, a handful of freshmen have played for Penn State, quarterback Christian Hackenberg being the most prominent. Others who have played are linebacker Brandon Bell, defensive backs Jordan Smith and Anthony Smith, tight end Adam Breneman, wide receiver Richy Anderson, returner Von Walker and Gregg Garrity on special teams.

Advertisement

They are part of the coaching staff's tough decisions to make as they try to best shape a thin roster in these years of the NCAA sanctions. They've essentially been given the green light.

At those meetings, green light means the staff is prepared to use a player in the game. A yellow light means a specific freshman could play if a number of other players are injured. A red light means the freshman won't play no matter what.

Compared to last year, the staff has assigned more green lights. The only freshmen who played last season were defensive backs Trevor Williams, Jordan Lucas and Da'Quan Davis and tight end Jesse James (linebacker Nyeem Wartman played in two games but then received a medical redshirt).

Among this year's freshmen, Hackenberg is a starter and Walker returns punts. Bell, Jordan Smith and Anthony Smith have played sparingly on defense, same with Breneman and Anderson on offense. O'Brien said Tuesday he doubts any other freshmen will play this season on offense or defense.

Advertisement

In three games, Hackenberg has thrown for 851 yards and his passing efficiency rating of 157.3 places him 30th in the nation in that category. Anderson has caught four passes for 34 yards. Breneman has yet to pick up a reception but has blocked in many situations.

On defense, Bell has two tackles and Anthony Smith has one. Walker has one tackle on special teams, 22 punt return yards and 56 kick return yards.

While some of those freshmen have excelled, the decision to play them is, to an extent, a matter of necessity because of Penn State's lack of scholarship players.

"You would love to redshirt everybody because I do think it's hard to play as a young kid in any college program, especially closer to the ball," O'Brien said earlier this year.

"We have to play the best players because we have to do what's best for the team and program."

First Published: September 20, 2013, 8:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Mary Lou Retton poses at "Dancing with the Stars" Season 27 at CBS Televison City on Sept. 24, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.
1
news
Olympic gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton charged with DUI in West Virginia
A "cannabis control board" is being proposed by a state lawmaker as a precursor to legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.
2
news
Pa. senators try to reboot marijuana legalization push with new ideas for oversight
Built in 1928, the Grant Building is among several Downtown properties that have lost major tenants as companies continue to downsize their office space in the wake of the pandemic.
3
business
The historic Grant Building is for sale — leaving its future up in the air
U.S. Steel's Irvin plant in Mon Valley as seen on Aug. 30, 2023.
4
news
How the Secret Service is likely mapping out Trump's Mon Valley visit to celebrate U.S. Steel-Nippon deal
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Phoenix.
5
sports
Instant analysis: Pirates bats, Paul Skenes overwhelm Diamondbacks en route to series win
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg throws to fellow freshman Richy Anderson against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 7.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story