UNIVERSITY PARK
When KJ Hamler or DeAndre Thompkins field a kick on special teams, there’s a heightened sense of excitement around Beaver Stadium — with fans waiting for a reason to pop off.
“When they catch the ball, you can hear the whole stadium go, ‘Ohhhhh,’” Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley said with a smile. “It’s a what’s-about-to-happen type of deal.”
So far, the two returners haven’t disappointed.
Hamler — a redshirt freshman who already looks like the second coming of Derrick Williams — is killing it as Penn State’s kick returner. The 5-foot-9 speedster nicknamed “The Human Joystick” is averaging 35.