Penn State vs Akron: DeAndre Thompkins scores on 61-yard punt return
By Zach Bigalke
After the Penn State defense held against Akron, DeAndre Thompkins returned the Zips punt 61 yards to open the scoring in Happy Valley.
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On a wet Saturday in Happy Valley, Penn State had trouble to open the game. Despite punching the ball downfield on its opening drive, the Nittany Lions walked away scoreless after Trace McSorley forced a ball into the endzone that was picked off by Akron.
The Penn State defense held firm on the ensuing drive, though, and DeAndre Thompkins made the Zips pay for punting to him. With a few shifty moves, he was running for daylight and lighting up the scoreboard at Beaver Stadium.
DeAndre Thompkins opens Penn State’s 2017 scoring with a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/OjJYYnlsak
— Blue White Illustrated (@PennStateOn3) September 2, 2017
Fielding the ball at the 39, Thompkins shook off one ankle tackle and then cut left toward the sideline. Rounding the defense, he swerved back inside around the Akron 30 and jetted his way toward the goal line. The 61-yard touchdown gave James Franklin‘s team their first lead of the 2017 season as Thompkins opened the Penn State scoring ledger for the new year.
With the extra point, the Nittany Lions went up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. Thompkins will be a dangerous field-shifter all season long for Penn State. The Nittany Lions defense continued to stymie the Zips, picking off Thomas Woodson on the following drive.
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The Nittany Lions would follow that up with a touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki to open up a 14-0 lead over the Zips. After some rust early, the Nittany Lions are on the right track again and a few steps closer to starting the season 1-0.