Penn State building on Dotson's performance against Ohio State taken in Altoona, Pa.  (Penn State)

PENN STATE ATHLETICS

Jahan Dotson.

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Not much existed to build on during the first two games of the 2020 season for Penn State, but the performance of Jahan Dotson and his fellow receivers was a glimmer of hope against Ohio State. 

"Jahan did some really nice things on Saturday, so we want to build on that," James Franklin said during his weekly press conference Tuesday.

That performance, a 144-yard, three-touchdown night, against the Buckeyes helped to put life in an offense that looked like it was about to be put to sleep. It helped to keep the Nittany Lions in a game that seemed as though it would be a rout after two early Ohio State scores.

Dotson wasn't the only receiver who performed well against the Buckeyes; true freshman Parker Washington also had a solid night, adding 73 yards. 

"We think Parker's got a chance to take another step again this week," Franklin said. 

It would be just what the doctor ordered for a Penn State offense looking to find its way this season. And it's not just Washington and Dotson who Franklin is excited about, as the Nittany Lions introduced true freshman KeAndre Lambert-Smith to the starting lineup this week, taking the place of Cam Sullivan-Brown.

It's another bizarre twist in the career of Sullivan-Brown, who was expected to be another of the Penn State receivers who would find success in the offense, but seemingly has had one thing or another prevent him from doing so.

"Cam Sullivan-Brown is a guy we're really excited about and he had some things going on that weren't going to allow him to play the way he wants to play," Franklin said. "He's available, but KeAndre is the guy that we saw do some really good things during camp."

With the addition to the starting lineup, Penn State's most experienced starting receiver is Dotson, a junior. The receiver room does go deeper than just those four, though, with some of the guys they will be deploying this week, according to Franklin.

"We do have TJ Jones available this week," Franklin said. "He's a guy that we were pretty excited about during camp. And then Daniel George has played football for us, as well. So we feel like we're getting back to a group that can play and contribute."

Games aren't won on potential, but at this point the Nittany Lions should be happy with any type of production they get from their receivers.

More from James Franklin's press conference:

• On voting: "We all have a duty and responsibility to be active in what's going on in our democracy and in our country. It's a right that we have fought for. It's a right that we have earned. It's something that some people and some countries would love to have. And I think, maybe for a period of time that we took some of those rights for granted. I also think there's probably an aspect where there's a lot of people that have had opinions on what should be going on in our country, but really had not used their voice."

• On freshmen running backs: "I think (Caziah) Holmes and (Keyvone) Lee are going to have to be a big part of what we do moving forward. We were forced into a situation in Week 1 to do it. I thought last week, they kind of showed to us that they were ready for the moment, in terms of just kind of their demeanor and how they approach things. 

• On facing an African-American coach in Mike Locksley this weekend: "Me and (Mike) Locksley have known each other for a long time. We were on staff together at the University of Maryland. We've competed against each other for a number of years. I do think it's great to see in our conference, you know, more diversity and I think that's in the head coaching positions. That's in coordinator positions. That is in, you know, staffs. I think that's important and I think the Big Ten, in some ways, is leading the way, you know, nationally."

• On facing Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa: "I thought he played extremely well in Week 2 and they have a talented group of wide receivers around him as well, which helps. ... You watch that Minnesota game, it's hard not to be impressed. You look at the completion percentage. You look at the the decision-making. You look at his ability to make plays with his feet, as well as extend plays in the pocket, it was impressive. For them to start out strong and then rally at the end to send it to overtime and then to make the plays they were able to make, you know, we've got a hot quarterback coming in here and whenever you have a hot quarterback in college football or the NFL, you have a chance."

• On if the mentality changes after two losses: "We just want an opportunity to win this week and play well this week and do that week by week and day by day. So you know, that's always our message. That's always our mantra. It's served us well over the last six years. I know there's frustration this year. I get it. There's nobody more frustrated than the players in the locker room and our staff."

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