Andy Kotelnicki’s impact includes explosive plays, balance for Penn State’s offense
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What’s different about the 2024 Penn State offense compared to the 2023 version?
James Franklin’s No. 3 Nittany Lions are more explosive, more productive in the run game and more diversified in the pass game.
A good chunk of the credit must go to new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, whose creative schemes have freed up some talented skill players to pose major problems for opponents.
PSU’s offense will be tested Saturday night in Madison when the 6-0 Lions face Wisconsin, a stout defensive team that has allowed just 16 total points in its past three games.
“It’s overall philosophy offensively, it is the ability to create explosive plays,” Franklin said Monday when asked about his conversations with Kotelnicki before hiring him to succeed Mike Yurcich, who was dismissed by Franklin after the Lions’ regular-season loss to Michigan last November.
“Obviously, (that) was a was a big part of the conversation. You know, based on how last year played out, it was the ability to run or pass and balance.”
After six games, Penn State’s offense is ranked in the top 30 in FBS in several key categories.
The Lions are No. 5 in passing efficiency with a rating of 179.9.
They are No. 10 in total offense (471.2 yards per game), No. 17 in third-down conversion percentage (48.5), No. 25 in rushing offense (201.2 yards per game) and No. 29 in passing offense (270.0).
Penn State’s 2023 offense ranked No. 53 in total offense (399.8 yards), No. 28 in rushing offense (184.8), No. 56 in passing efficiency (139.4), No. 54 in third-down conversion percentage (40.8) and No. 77 in passing offense (215.0).
Additionally, Penn State’s 2024 offense has created 30 explosive plays of 20 or more yards.
The 2023 offense produced 47 in 14 games.
The Lions’ offense passed a huge test in the second half of the team’s 33-30 overtime win over USC in Los Angeles. PSU, held to six first-half points and trailing by two touchdowns, finished with 518 yards on offense.
“Probably the biggest difference from what we’ve done in the past is probably a little bit more option, true option,” Franklin said.
“Not off of read option, but true option. That was probably the one thing that was a was a little bit different in the conversations (with Kotelnicki).”
Franklin also said he spoke with Kotelnicki about the need to stay with some things that worked in 2023.
“It was also about coming in here and only changing what we had to change,” Franklin said.
“Because, again, it wasn’t necessarily broke. It was that we needed to take the next step from a production standpoint and specifically, from an explosive play perspective.”
Note: Penn State announced its game Nov. 2 at home against Ohio State will kick off at noon and be televised on FOX.