Polk proving he's more than just the 'jet sweep guy'

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Brandon Polk bolted from the opposite side of the field toward the end zone, trying to catch up to Saquon Barkley so the Nittany Lions' speedy receiver could clear the way for Barkley to cap his 85-yard touchdown.

Polk, a former Virginia state champion in the 200-meter dash, had his work cut out. When Barkley broke the plane, the winded receiver followed through in a wild celebration, swinging his arms over his head following the Heisman Trophy candidate's lead. In the spontaneous, celebration Polk was following up on a pregame vow to the team's running backs that, if they're in the open field, he's going to block for them. He was also having fun again, something he missed last season.

"I'm enjoying every second of it," the redshirt sophomore said Tuesday at Beaver Stadium. Polk redshirted last season due to an injury. "I really missed it. So every time I'm out there, I'm playing like it's literally my last play. ... I tell all the running backs, 'If you get in open field, I'm coming to get you. I'm going to block for you.' "