Penn State special teams coordinator Justin Lustig is staying, report says
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Penn State football coach Matt Campbell has decided to retain a second member of James Franklin’s staff.
Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig will remain with the Nittany Lions, according to a report by Daniel Gallen of Lions 247. Lustig’s second season at Penn State was very successful.
Ryan Barker was one of the most accurate kickers in the country, making 18-of-19 field goal attempts for a school-record 94.7% and 44-of-45 extra points. In two years with Lustig, Barker has made 33-of-37 field goal tries for an 89.2 percentage, which is first in school history.
Gabe Nwosu finished with a school-record 46.1 punting average and helped the Lions rank 12th in the country in net punting.
Nwosu was named to the All-Big Ten third team, and long snapper Tyler Duzansky, kick returner Nick Singleton and Barker all received honorable mention.
In addition to Lustig staying, it has become more evident that former Penn State defensive back D’Anton Lynn will join the staff as defensive coordinator.
Lynn served as USC defensive coordinator the last two seasons and was expected to remain with the Trojans for Tuesday night’s Alamo Bowl, which they lost 30-27 in overtime. It was reported earlier Tuesday that Lynn would not be at the game, by mutual agreement between him and head coach Lincoln Riley, because he had accepted the Penn State job.
On the personnel front, offensive linemen Anthony Donkoh and Cooper Cousins and tight end Andrew Rappleyea have announced that they are staying with the Lions and not pursuing other opportunities in the transfer portal, which opens Friday.
Donkoh started all but two games this season, nine at right guard and two at right tackle. Cousins played in 12 games and made two starts, at Ohio State when Penn State opened with seven offensive linemen and the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson when he started at guard.
Rappleyea caught 20 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns, including an 11-yarder in the Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson.
As of Wednesday morning, nine Penn State players have expressed their intention to enter the portal. They are cornerbacks A.J. Harris and Elliot Washington II, defensive ends Chaz Coleman and Daniel Jennings, linebacker Kari Jackson, offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier, wide receiver Aaron Enterline, quarterback Bekkem Kritza and tight end Joey Schlaffer.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos