Penn State freshman Caedan Wallace provides stability at right tackle

Penn State’s 27-17 road win against Michigan was significant because it was the program’s first victory of a disastrous season.

A note of much less significance was Penn State started five freshmen or redshirt freshmen on offense: tight ends Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson, running back Keyvone Lee, wide receiver Parker Washington and right tackle Caedan Wallace.

Injuries, particularly at the running back and tight end positions, have dictated a lot of that deployment. Regardless, Wallace and company want to take full advantage of their ascension on the depth chart.

“I just feel like we have just really smart guys on the field,” Wallace said during a video conference with media Wednesday. “Even though we’re young, I feel like we’re mature, and we’re still maturing. It will be better for us in the future. And it’s good for us now. … We’re doing pretty good out there. We’re pretty excited to see where we go to in the future.”

Wallace is the “veteran” of the group in terms of being a starter, having taken over at right tackle during a 30-23 road loss to Nebraska on Nov. 14. He supplanted Will Fries, who was moved to right guard.

“I was just called in (by coaches) and told that I was going to be given an opportunity to start at right tackle that week and that Will was going to be at right guard,” Wallace said. “So I definitely just wanted to utilize Will at right guard knowing that he played right tackle and just tried to fill out my role as best as I could for the week. I was excited that week and since then, I’ve been excited to fill in the role.”

Fries, a senior, has served as a coach of sort to his replacement.

“From week to week, we just have calls that we have to make,” Wallace said. “It’s just good having him there. If I miss something, he’ll pick up something for me. He’ll say something for me. We have certain stuff between each other that we pick up because we want to be locked in as we can. We want to communicate as much as possible. It’s good having him there. He’s very smart. He knows what’s going on.

“I definitely consider myself a sponge, so really anyone younger or older who is giving out good tips, I’m always there to listen.”

Fries offered a hearty endorsement of his successor’s play.

“Just getting those (repetitions) in the game and realizing the speed its played at in a big-time level, I’ve seen him improve a lot out there,” Fries said. “He’s improving every week. He’s coming off the ball better. He’s playing better in pass (protection) with his punch. Just getting those (repetitions) and being a young guy in the Big Ten is definitely going to benefit him. He’s getting a lot better. I’m really excited to see his future.”

In the immediate future is a road contest at noon Saturday against Rutgers. Don’t expect Wallace and Co. to be content after finally getting that first win.

“I don’t feel like we’re going to sit back and be comfortable with last week,” Wallace said. “Definitely (Tuesday), I feel like we had a great practice. We’re just excited for this week. We’re going to come out crazy.”

With a 1-5 record, there hasn’t been much to celebrate during Penn State’s season. But that doesn’t mean the enthusiasm has waned.

“Having Thanksgiving last week even helped us more,” Wallace said. “Just being able to sit back and think about what we’re thankful for as a team and as a family really propelled us into that game. … It just really helped us all really come together and work towards a common goal. Everything really came to fruition last week (against Michigan).”