Thank Goodness for Pat Freiermuth: BSD MVP

Pat Freiermuth had the opportunity to opt out for the NFL Draft following the 2019 season, where he likely would have heard his name called in the first round for a fortunate team seeking a playmaking tight end. He had the same opportunity when it appeared that Penn State would not have a season this fall. Heck, he even could have opted out after the new fall schedule was announced to avoid the uncertainty of the 2020 season and instead focus on preparing for the draft.

Instead, Freiermuth decided there is no place he would rather be than in State College, fighting along with his brothers in blue and white.

It appeared that Freiermuth would be returning to a high-octane offense that could damage a defense in a variety of ways. Instead, Freiermuth has become one of few bright spots during a 0-4 start with an offense that has been plagued by turnovers, injury/illness, and bouts of unproductivity.

It may have been lost during the fallout of Penn State’s fourth consecutive loss to start the 2020 season, but Freriermuth had one of his most productive afternoon of a standout career in Happy Valley. The junior tight end had a career-best 113 receiving yards, which was the second 100-plus receiving yard game of his career. His seven catches tied for second-most of his career, only behind an eight-reception effort against Buffalo in 2019.

While Freiermuth did not reach the end zone, he came about as close as possible without actually scoring when he was tripped up on the one-yard line on a 74-yard reception. Penn State would score two plays later to cut the deficit to 30-23 with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the next two drives stalled in the red zone as Penn State’s rally came up s