Following 2 more missed field goals vs. Illinois, Penn State weighs change at kicker

STATE COLLEGE — It was easy enough for Penn State to brush off Sander Sahaydak missing a field goal in the season opener vs. West Virginia.

But following two more misses Saturday against No. 19 Illinois, coach James Franklin must weigh making a change at placekicker.

After the No. 9 Nittany Lions’ 21-7 victory over the Fighting Illini, Franklin declined to throw his redshirt junior kicker under the bus.

“As you can imagine, I’m not going to get into that right now,” Franklin said postgame. “I love Sander Sahaydak. He’s been awesome for us here. We just won a game, and he should be celebrating this win like everybody else.”

Sahaydak’s first attempt of the year Aug. 31 was no good from 47 yards, but by the time of the fourth quarter when he kicked it, the Nittany Lions were ahead 34-6 and didn’t need more of a cushion vs. the Mountaineers.

In Week 2, Sahaydak stabilized by hitting both of his field-goal tries in a close win over Bowling Green, from 43 and 28 yards.

On Saturday, issues resurfaced for Sahaydak, who missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter and another 40-yard try in the fourth, making him 2 for 5 on the year.

Illinois failed to capitalize on either miss.

Fighting Illini kicker David Olano missed a 45-yarder after Sahaydak’s first miss, keeping the score tied 7-7 late in the second quarter.

Sander Sahaydak misses from 40 yards out
7-7
4:56 first half @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/XXZTGYPfbR

— Mason Eddinger (@Mason_PFN) September 29, 2024

In the fourth, when Sahaydak missed again, the Illini got the ball back and drove to about midfield, but Luke Altmyer was picked off by A.J. Harris.

Sander Sahaydak misses his second field goal of the day, this one to the right.

Under nine minutes left to go in the game, Penn State leads 14-7
pic.twitter.com/qhYy73TV32

— Micheal Bolger (@MichealBolger) September 29, 2024

Harris returned it for a touchdown, but it was called back because of a penalty.

Starting from the Illinois 41-yard line, Penn State marched downfield to deliver the knockout blow, going up 21-7 with 1 minute, 55 seconds to play on a Kaytron Allen touchdown run.

Penn State’s dominant defensive performance, which limited the Illini to 219 total yards and only 59 in the second half, was key in bailing out Sahaydak’s miscues.

With the Big Ten opener now in the rearview mirror, Franklin will evaluate what to do at placekicker as the Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0), now ranked seventh in the nation, prepare to welcome league newcomer UCLA to Happy Valley next Saturday.

“Ultimately, we’ll have a competition and all these things will factor into some decisions that we’re going to have to make moving forward,” Franklin said. “But I want Sander to celebrate this win like everybody else because he’s put a ton into this, he’s a great kid, he’s a great representative of Penn State and everything that we’re about.

“I love the fact that we played complementary football and our offense and defense had Sander’s back.”

The Recap: White Out Energy vs. Illinois ???? pic.twitter.com/mTCMJqwSgw

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 30, 2024

Sahaydak is in his first year handling placekicking duties after redshirting in 2021 and seeing reserve action over the following two seasons.

Junior Chase Meyer and redshirt freshman Ryan Barker competed for the starter’s gig in camp.

If Franklin does opt to make a change, Meyer should be considered the betting favorite.

An offseason transfer portal addition from Tulsa, Meyer hit 17 of his 20 field-goal tries last season for the Golden Hurricane, with a long of 47 yards.

Before Sahaydak won the position battle coming out of camp, Meyer was placed on the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, recognizing the best kicker in college football.

Barker redshirted in 2023 and has not attempted a field goal in college.