UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- At some point, you'd have to fear, it's going to bite Penn State in a big way. As in, it could cost the Nittany Lions a game.
The place-kicking situation has been an issue through four games, but it's kind of gone under the radar because the Lions have been winning and winning big the last three weeks.
But as Penn State gets into the difficult part of the Big Ten schedule, every point is going to matter. And at this stage, it's hard to feel overly confident that Jake Pinegar will be able to come through with all the points he's going to be counted on to deliver.
Pinegar missed a 38-yard field goal and also had a PAT blocked in Saturday's 33-14 win over Central Michigan. The Lions also didn't convert on a 56-yard field-goal try from Sander Sahaydak, but that one is understandable.
What's not understandable -- or really even acceptable -- at this stage in Pinegar's career is that he's still so inconsistent. He also missed a 42-yard try and a PAT against Ohio in week two.
That's two PATs and two very makable field goals that Pinegar hasn't converted. For the season, he's 3-of-5 on field goals with a long of 48.
"Not where we need it to be at all," James Franklin said of the place-kicking after Saturday's game.
Pinegar is very experienced, as he's in his fifth year in the program. But there's no other way around it than to say he's actually been inconsistent for most of his career, which is why his rough start this season should be a big concern.
Pinegar has attempted 56 field goals and converted only 40 during his career. That's just 71 percent. He was 11-of-12 in 2019 as the Lions had an outstanding season and won the Cotton Bowl, but his other years were more of an adventure.
2018: 16-of-24, long of 49
2019: 11-of-12, long of 47
2020: 9-of-13, long of 40
2021: 1-of-2, long of 43 (lost job to Jordan Stout)
2022: 3-of-5, long of 48
Pinegar was available to the media last week and was asked about making a 22-yard field goal at Auburn.
"It felt good, definitely a confidence booster," he said. "But the week before that (against Ohio), obviously I wasn't, I didn't hit it the way that I wanted to. But all week in practice, and for a while now, I've felt competent in practice. I've been striking the ball really well. So I think it's just a matter of getting those opportunities and chances and going out there and doing my job."
The opportunities did come against Central Michigan, but the results were pretty much the same as the Ohio game.
These comments are a week old, but Pinegar also was asked last week to assess his performance.
"So far, for the first three games, obviously there's been some things I need to clean up," he said. "But then there's also been some things that I've done well. I think it's just a matter of consistency."
Penn State's long field-goal option -- 52 yards or more -- is Sahaydak. But you have to think there will be a lot of competition in practice this week for the regular place-kicking duties. Sahaydak is a redshirt freshman, and if he's pushing Pinegar at all in practice, the coaches are going to have to feel compelled to at least give him a shot.
Penn State can get away with some missed kicks against the likes of Ohio and Central Michigan. But with Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Ohio State and Michigan State still to come, any missed field goals or PATs could end up costing the Lions the game.
ALLEN HONORED
For the third straight week, a Penn State running back was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. This time it was not Nicholas Singleton, but rather Kaytron Allen, who had 111 yards rushing and one TD on 13 carries against Central Michigan.
We wrote about the great 1-2 punch between Singleton and Allen right here Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how the carries are split between them during Big Ten play.
But certainly through three games, Penn State already has proven to have two of the best freshman running backs in the country.