.Michael Cohen.College Regulation Football and University Baseball Article Writer.MORGANTOWN, W.Va.-- As the representatives transformed and experienced West Virginia's captains observing an opening coin throw that had actually gone the home staff's way, the words of elderly safety and security Aubrey Burks echoed around Mountaineer Area thanks to a referee's microphone." We want the ball," Burks said in a moment of assurance that was actually relayed around the online video panels at either end of the coliseum. "And also we wan na go score." Once, twice, 3 opportunities, Burks repeated themself till the referee pointed both collections of gamers towards the sidelines as kickoff approached. The Mountaineers got here for Saturday's nationally televised opener overflowing with self-confidence after shutting the 2023 campaign along with five triumphes in six video games, branded by a 20-point win over North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl final December. A seminar report of 6-3 and also a general proof of 9-4 were enough to spark optimism, excitement as well as a contract extension for head coach Neal Brown.But opting for to get the opening first performed bit in West Virginia's pursuit to follow through on the motive Burks had actually therefore publicly laid out. Four belongings came and went prior to the Mountaineers collected any sort of points in any way, as well as even after that, after turning the round over twice in the 1st one-fourth alone, they agreed to a meek field goal. And field goals were actually never ever mosting likely to be enough against a new-look, new-age Penn Condition outburst that began to open the possibility of previous luxury quarterback Drew Allar (11-of-17 for 216 lawns and also 3 TDs). Under the instructions of first-year repulsive planner Andy Kotelnicki, whom head instructor James Franklin plucked from Kansas, the Nittany Lions eventually started to rumble. There were actually chunk plays via the air coming from Allar to wideouts Omari Evans (pair of catches, 55 gardens) and also Harrison Wallace III (five catches, 117 yards, 2 TDs). There were actually part plays on the ground along with tailbacks Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. There were actually piece plays on either edge of a weather delay that always kept both staffs in their storage locker rooms for 2 hours, 19 mins between the second and third zones. There were enough chunk participates in to send out swaths of the 62,084 supporters home long prior to the last few seconds elapsed.The 34-12 win was whatever Franklin and also Penn State could possibly have anticipated in a high-profile opener against a Power-4 opponent. Here are some easy takeaways from Milan Puskar Coliseum: Very early differenceA mistimed snap that showed up to see Allar by unpleasant surprise on his crew's opening ownership skilled the Mountaineers terrific industry setting just outside the red area along with 10:38 continuing to be in the initial sector. It was the initial of 4 West Virginia steers that either started or progressed inside the Penn Condition 30-yard series in the course of the first 2 fourths, the integrated results of which were merely 6 points: a pair of basket through kicker Michael Hayes II from proximities of 38 lawns and 39 yards, specifically. And each subsequent push that neglected to create a touchdown siphoned a bit even more energy from what was actually, at least initially, a relatively rowdy crowd.West Virginia's very first play after Allar's early fumble quickly declined in to calamity when the breeze coming from center Brandon Yates attacked the motion guy and caromed deep right into the backfield, with Penn State inevitably ripping possession far from quarterback Garrett Greene. The following Mountaineering venture right into Nittany Lions' region was actually thwarted through a stopped working "tush push" on 4th and short as Greene was rejected at free throw line of skirmish. Two additional drives that acquired 98 mixed lawns throughout the middle and also second stages of the 2nd one-fourth delayed at the exterior edge of the reddish zone.Kotelnicki's outburst was even more purposeful along with each property that ventured right into West Virginia area. The Nittany Lions punctuated a 10-play, 71-yard march along with a 20-yard touchdown coming from Allar to Allen and also covered a three-play, 73-yard digestive tract drill when Allar whized a stunning toss to Wallace III for one more rating with:06 remaining in the 2nd quarter, expanding the Penn Condition bring about 14. Drew Allar gets in touch with Harrison Wallace III who drags his feets for a TD, stretching Penn State's lead over West Virginia Play of the gameOnly a fraction of the crowd stayed when play finally returned to at 4:23 p.m. and also the Nittany Lions leading through 14 points. For the West Virginia faithful that remained-- each one of them having actually snuggled below the bleachers for much more than pair of hrs of super as well as downpours-- it was actually recognized merely exactly how crucial the position ownership of the 3rd one-fourth would certainly be actually. If Penn Condition got to the end zone as well as pushed its perk north of 20, it was actually improbable the Mountaineers would have any sort of odds to their way back right into opinion based on the anemic annoying output from the first half.A pair of 10-yard scrambles from Allar and also a prosperous swing exchange running back Nicholas Singleton moved the Nittany Lions around midfield with loved one ease. And also is actually when Singleton stressed Penn Condition's triumph along with a 40-yard goal run through the middle of West Virginia's self defense. Pair of taking linemen cleared a pathway that left behind Individual untouched up until he hit the 3rd amount, where the flailing branch of protection Anthony Wilson Jr. was actually nowhere near enough to reduce the acceleration. Singleton competed downfield and also into completion zone as Penn State's lead swelled to an impossible 21-point margin. The one-two punch of Individual and Allen blended for 167 hurrying gardens (134 hurrying, thirty three acquiring) and also two touchdowns.Key statOne of the steering elements responsible for Franklin's decision to go after Kotelnicki as his 6th outrageous organizer in 11 times was because of the image for nitroglycerin dips into Kansas, where the Jayhawks had become a high-octane assault under Kotelnicki's direction. During the course of a three-year stretch from 2021-23, the Jayhawks positioned 12th nationally in portion of plays getting a minimum of 20 backyards (8.3%) and also 15th in percent of passing plays acquiring at least 30 lawns (3.9%). Kansas outperformed 40 points 9 attend that stretch and topped 50 aspects five times, also as irritating injuries to starting quarterback Jalon Daniels checked the outburst's adaptability.Those types of field-tilting gains uncovered themselves early and also typically in Kotelnicki's launching versus West Virginia on Saturday, along with Allar and the staff's top-level running back duo shredding the Mountaineers in even more means, and stages, than one. Allar just needed 11 finalizations to surpass 200 passing backyards as well as locate the end zone three times via the sky. Singleton balanced almost 9 yards every continue his first thirteen efforts, 2 of which got 40 yards and also some of which discovered the end region. Wallace exceeded one hundred receiving yards for the very first time in his career on only five receptions.By the 8:13 sign of the 4th quarter-- when the Nittany Lions began sending droves of back-ups onto the field-- Kotelnicki's outburst was still balancing an astonishing 8.4 backyards every play.What's next for Penn State?Departing West Virginia along with a completely excellent road triumph positions the Nittany Lions for a prospective climb in the national rankings in the arriving full weeks. Certainly not only will Penn State be a heavy fave in its own next four activities against Bowling Green, Kent State, Illinois and also UCLA-- the final 2 of which are association opponents-- but they likewise will not have to leave the friendly limits of Beaver Arena. A quartet of home times maintains the Nittany Lions in Pennsylvania up until mid-October, whereupon they'll fly to The golden state for what needs to be actually a top-level competition with Major 10 newcomer USC. Already, Franklin's crew need to be 5-0 total, 2-0 in the game and squarely in the conversation to reach the College Soccer Playoff for the very first time as the style extends to 12 staffs. And also if Saturday's outrageous surge against the Mountaineers is any sort of sign of where Kotelnicki can take his system in the happening weeks, at that point it could be worth including Penn State in dialogues about legit opponents for the Big Ten Champion and also the championship game. What's next for West Virginia?After an opener in which Penn State tossed for 199 gardens and three goals in the 1st one-half alone, the concern for Brown and protective organizer Jordan Lesley in between right now and Full week 2 need to be actually hardening a leaky second. The Mountaineers stood 86th across the country as well as eighth in the Large 12 in passing self defense last time despite possessing an all-conference cornerback in Beanie Diocesan Jr., whose 24 elapseds defended (four INTs, 20 splits up) led the country. But Diocesan is actually right now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as West Virginia's continuing to be edges had a hard time to slow the Nittany Lions' downfield passing strike, specifically without the perk of a feasible successfully pass thrill. Northwestern move Garnett Hollis Jr., that took the main job against Wallace, was beaten for a 17-yard finalization on a drive that ended along with Penn State arriving at the end area as well as later on gave up a back-shoulder goal that broke off the activity accessible shortly before halftime. West Virginia ought to possess a simpler challenge next Sunday against Albany.Michael Cohen deals with college football and basketball for FOX Sports with an importance on the Big Ten. Observe him at @Michael_Cohen13. [Want wonderful stories supplied straight to your inbox? Make or even visit to your FOX Athletics account, observe games, crews and also gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter daily.] Adhere to Follow your favorites to tailor your FOX Sports expertise Receive much more coming from University Football Observe your preferences to get info regarding video games, information as well as additional.