STATE COLLEGE − A Penn State football offensive lineman is getting his spotlight time, once again.
Redshirt sophomore guard Vega Ioane is pancaking UCLA defenders left and right for the Nittany Lions on Saturday in Beaver Stadium.
But there’s more: A 6-foot-4, 350-pound guard going in motion like a receiver?
That’s an intriguing, ongoing blocking wrinkle implemented by new Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki − one of his countless pre-snap motions and alignments intended to confuse and confound opposing defenses.
Penn State’s Vega Ioane (right) takes a selfie following the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in State College.
It’s also a show-of-force for Ioane, who is not just one of Penn State’s most effective blockers but also one of its most athletic. His pre-snap motions certainly give him a head start in blocking defenders, too.
He threw key blocks off those motions leading up to Penn State’s first touchdown midway through the second quarter.
He was one of the few early bright spots today for the Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten). They have stunningly struggled to fend off the previously inept UCLA Bruins in Beaver Stadium.
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Penn State leads 14-3 going into halftime. The Bruins are a four-touchdown underdog relying on their little-used backup quarterback.
This is the teams’ first meeting in 56 years and first-ever as Big Ten teams.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: See what Penn State football lineman Vega Ioane can do vs UCLA
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/see-350-pound-penn-state-173613516.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2024-10-05 17:36:13
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