Penn State Football: 5 players who earned game balls vs. Northwestern

After DaeSean Hamilton set a new all-time receptions record for the Nittany Lions with a nine catch performance against Indiana in Week 5, another senior Nittany Lions wide receiver took his turn in the spotlight in Week 6.

Saeed Blacknall, the team’s starting outside receiver for the last two seasons, lead the Nittany Lions in receiving yards against a depleted Northwestern secondary, and did so in impressive fashion.

Even though he failed to record a touchdown for the third consecutive week, Blacknall haled in four passes for 74 yards, both season highs, and even caught a 38-yard ball that ultimately set up a 1-yard Saquon Barkley touchdown.

After losing their number one receiver, Chris Godwin, to the NFL following the team’s heartbreaking loss to USC in the Rose Bowl, Penn State has been waiting for one of their receivers to step up and become Trace McSorley’s next top target, but so far this been a true team effort from the Nittany Lions’ receiving corps.

And hey, maybe this was Blacknell’s coming out party.

Related Story: Penn State Football: DaeSean Hamilton sets all-time receptions record

I mean, he did record six catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns against an incredibly stout Wisconsin defense in last season’s Big Ten Championship game, so the talent is obviously there.

Maybe he just needs more opportunities.

With a week to tighten up any loose ends before a string of games sprinkled with ranked Big Ten rivals, Blacknell will have a chance to build upon his Week 6 performance in the Nittany Lions’ Week 8 battle against the Michigan Wolverines and their number one defense.

Hopefully it results in another game ball.