Penn State Football: 5 reasons Nittany Lions upset Ohio State in Week 5

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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3. Return game for Penn State is strong

Penn State has better returners this season than Ohio State, which is certainly not something that Penn State is known for over the years. Saquon Barkley returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last season and DeAndre Thompkins had a punt return for a touchdown.

From 2012-16, Penn State had no kickoff or punt returns for touchdowns. In 2010-11, Chaz Powell had one kickoff return each season, and Derrick Williams was a great returner for Penn State from 2005-08.

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Now, Penn State has K.J. Hamler and DeAndre Thompkins dominating the return game and giving Penn State good field position consistently. Hamler is averaging 32 yards per kickoff return and 25 yards per punt return. Thompkins is averaging 20 yards per punt return and has one punt return for a touchdown already this season.

Special teams can majorly impact the game, and Barkley showed that last season by helping Penn State jump out to an early lead by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Special teams can shift momentum in a game very quickly, and returns or even a blocked field goal attempt could make a difference once again.

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