Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is tasked with bringing the big play back to Penn State.

But not all of Penn State’s 2023 numbers need to change. James Franklin was thrilled with the way his offense protected the ball.

PSU ranked No. 2 in FBS in turnover margin, finishing at plus-16. The Lions lost six fumbles, and quarterback Drew Allar was intercepted only twice.

So generating more big plays while limiting turnovers would be ideal.

“What you’re talking about is, how do you mitigate risk and still be explosive,” said Kotelnicki, the former Kansas offensive coordinator, when asked about having the best of both worlds.

“Well, it goes with design. It goes with some intentions about what explosive plays look like and are.”

Kotelnicki’s 2023 Jayhawks were ranked 21st in FBS in total offense (446.1 yards per game) and committed 17 turnovers — 11 interceptions, 6 fumbles lost — in 13 games. Penn State averaged just 215 passing yards per game, good for a No. 77 ranking nationally.

How will Penn State become more explosive? Running back Nicholas Singleton ran for 1,061 yards as a true freshman and had nine runs of 30 or more yards, including an 87-yard score against Utah in the Rose Bowl.

As for big-play receivers, the Lions are looking for their first since Jahan Dotson, who left after the 2021 season.

“Obviously, people think about explosive plays and think about shots down the field, perhaps,” Kotelnicki said. “And that might be part of it, but that’s not going to be all of it. The intention of setting up plays that are complementary, the intention of putting your players in their best position possible to succeed and the intention to make sure that you are (pushing) the ball down the field enough.”

The Lions’ passing game will feature tight end Tyler Warren, who caught seven touchdown passes last season, and the wideout quartet of Harrison Wallace III, Liam Clifford, Omari Evans and Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming.

Penn State’s top four players in total receiving yards combined for 147 receptions, 1,744 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. That’s an average of 11.9 yards per catch.

At Kansas a year ago, the Jayhawks’ top four pass-catchers compiled 2,375 yards and 17 touchdowns on 133 catches, for an average of 17.8 yards per reception.

“I’ve been pleased, and I’ve commented before about how I just care that our guys are getting better every day, and that is evident,” Kotelnicki said.

“We are definitely a better football team from the very first practice that I was part of this spring to now. In every one of those, we’ve had growth.”

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