Penn State Football: Time to panic after Appalachian State drama?

By Phil Poling | Sep 4, 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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No. 10 Penn State football escaped opening weekend with an overtime victory against an unassuming Appalachian State squad, winning 45-38.

For a team that was touted all offseason as a legit contender in the Big Ten with a Heisman-candidate at quarterback, the Penn State Nittany Lions sure did make things interesting in their season opener.

Winning is the goal, and they ultimately achieved that. But surrendering 38 points – to a Sun Belt team? Penn State might regret scheduling the Mountaineers, but their College Football Playoff hopes would’ve completely derailed had they lost in Week 1.

Head coach James Franklin improves to 4-1 in season-openers at the helm of the PSU program, the only hiccup coming in his second season against Temple. Another blemish was nearly added to that growing resume, but the Nittany Lions were able to pull it out.

With 11 scheduled games remaining for the Nittany Lions, there’s plenty of time for improvements. There’s also time for this season to take a nose-dive as well, though. What are some overreactions from Penn State’s Week 1 win ver Appalachian State?

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