Penn State football is 5-0 and the No. 6 team in the country heading into its bye week. While the Nittany Lions have looked like one of the best teams in America at times in September, everyone knows that championships are won in October and November. That includes those inside the Lasch Football Building. In our recent exclusive interview, Penn State star WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith described the team’s focused mentality heading into the stretch run of the season.

 

Confident, but not comfortable

 

The 2023 version of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team already looks like one of the most impressive squads we’ve seen in Happy Valley in quite some time.

 

On offense, Penn State leads the nation in time of possession, consecutive 30-point scoring games, and successive 14+ point wins. On the flip side, the Nittany Lions are ranked No. 1 in total defense, and also lead the nation in key metrics such as passing defense and passing defense efficiency.

 

But that doesn’t mean the Nittany Lions are heading into the bye week resting on their laurels. In our recent sit-down interview with KeAndre Lambert-Smith, “Big Play Dre” encapsulated the mentality of the locker room.

 

“We feel pretty confident, but definitely not comfortable,” Lambert-Smith told us. “We have a pretty talented team at all positions…We know we have a team that could take it pretty far this year. But there’s a lot of things that play into that. Those small details that you got to make sure are right every week, because of the margin for error, especially in college football. If you lose one game, your Playoff hopes are out the window. We know we have a Playoff team, a national championship-type team. We’re playing for every inch. [We’re} trying to get better every day. And I think we’ve been doing that.”

 

1-0 mentality rings true

 

Lambert-Smith acknowledged that the team does recognize the expectations on them this season. But despite those high hopes, he reiterated that the focus is, and will continue to be, on going 1-0.

 

“I feel like everybody knows we want to make the Playoff,” he said. “We know that’s going to come with us going 1-0 every week…That’s all [James] Franklin preaches. That’s honestly how everybody goes about it in the locker room.”

 

Without question, this is one of the most talented Penn State football teams of the James Franklin era. But potentially epic showdowns with Ohio State and Michigan still lie ahead for the Nittany Lions. With all three teams currently allowing an average of less than 10 points per game to their opponents, the eventual winner of the Big Ten East will need to bring its “A game” over the next two months.

 

Lambert-Smith noted that it’s the expectation of excellence that continues to motivate the team every day, as driven home by offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

 

“Coach Yurcich says, ‘The best team doesn’t always win, but the team who plays the best does.’”

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Soon enough, we’ll find out if that message is true. Penn State football returns to action on October 14 against UMass.

 

Upcoming Happy Valley United exclusive events

 

Happy Valley United will be providing exclusive access and events throughout the 2023-24 athletic year, including:

 

• Boots, Barn, and Band, Port Matilda, October 7
  • Grab your cowboy hat, flannel and boots! We’re heading to Housing Transitions’ Boots, Barn & Band! The event runs from 6-10 PM on Oct. 7 at 4082 Buffalo Run Road in Port Matilda!
  • Penn State men’s basketball and wrestling student-athletes will be in attendance until 6:30 PM! Those student-athletes include:
    • Men’s Basketball: Ace Baldwin Jr., RayQuawndis Mitchell, Zach Hicks, D’Marco Dunn, Puff Johnson
    • Wrestling: Josh Barr, Erik Gibson, Aaron Nagao

 

Be sure to check out this and all the exclusive experiences presented by Happy Valley United for the 2023 season!

 

Exclusive player insights, presented by HVU On-Demand

 

If you enjoyed this exclusive content, stay tuned for more exclusive insights throughout the 2023 season. HVU On-Demand will be providing exclusive access to player interviews and other content throughout the fall as part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation.

 

This initiative aims to promote NIL opportunities for the over 800 Penn State student-athletes represented by Happy Valley United and provide you with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite Nittany Lions.

 

To donate, please visit Happy Valley United’s website. We Are!