Parker Washington is Elite: BSD MVP

There was one thing completely different about Parker Washington when he bounced as much as the deafening roar of the Beaver Stadium White Out crowd. Washington had simply helped put Penn State up 24-10 aginst Minnesota within the third quarter by high-pointing and plucking the ball from the air regardless of tight protection. By the point he popped up, he regarded like somebody who was prepared to say the go-to receiver spot that had eluded the offense to this point.

He proved that to be the case on Saturday with a scintillating efficiency towards the Buckeyes. It wasn’t only a large day for Washington – and boy was it large – nevertheless it appeared just like the third-year receiver stepped up with an enormous play every time it was wanted essentially the most.

Washington helped the Nittany Lions decide up two first downs on their preliminary drive, which sadly ended with a tipped go that was intercepted by the Buckeyes. The early turnovers put Penn State in a particularly harmful spot down 10-0. It appeared as if any second Ohio State may bounce out to a 17-0 lead that may flip actually ugly from there.

Nonetheless, Washington wasn’t about to let that occur. Penn State acquired the ball again to begin the primary quarter, and he started issues with a 14-yard reception on first down. Just a few performs later, Sean Clifford regarded Washington’s approach on third down. Washington not solely managed to catch the ball, however spin his approach out of two tackles earlier than racing 58 yards for a landing. It was one of many key performs of the primary half – presumably the most important – because it helped Penn State stay in a sport that regarded as if it might be doomed earlier than it even acquired began thanks to 2 early turnovers.

Washington adopted that up with an acrobatic third down catch that you simply needed to research in slow-motion and nonetheless be not sure of how he managed to catch it. It was the kind of catch that many Large Ten receivers won’t ever make all through their careers, and people watching us at dwelling may solely dream of. Just a few performs later, Clifford would discover KeAndre Lambert-Smith ultimately zone to present Penn State a 14-10 lead.

He stored developing with catch after catch as Penn State gave its all to attempt to earn the huge upset. At any time when a play was wanted, Clifford regarded to Washington to ship time and again. He delivered first downs when wanted. He was a safety blanket when Clifford was underneath heavy duress. And when Penn State wanted another large play, Clifford stepped up with a 26-yard catch that helped the Nittany Lions march down the sector to say a 21-16 lead within the fourth quarter.

The Nittany Lions got here up quick, however Washington left all the pieces he had on the Beaver Stadium turf that day. He completed the sport with 11 catches for 179 yards and a rating.