Penn State Defeats West Virginia 34-12 in Opener

In Penn State's 34-12 victory over West Virginia, wide receiver Julian Fleming, a high-profile transfer from Ohio State, did not record a catch or receive any targets, despite logging 35 offensive snaps. Coach James Franklin praised Fleming's blocking and route-running, noting his contributions helped open up plays for others, including a touchdown pass to Tyler Warren. Defensive end Abdul Carter, also a focal point ahead of the game, had a mixed performance with minimal tackles but faced penalties that need addressing. The Nittany Lions demonstrated explosive offensive plays, accumulating 457 total yards and limiting the Mountaineers to only 85 rushing yards. Franklin emphasized the defense's improvement compared to last year, showcasing a strong performance overall. Junior safety KJ Winston was recognized as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his standout game with 12 tackles.