Alex Kenney is waiting for his chance as a kickoff returner.
Kenney is third on the team with 12 catches.
The NCAA moved the spot where the ball is kicked up 5 yards during the offseason, so Penn State's speedy redshirt sophomore hasn't had many opportunities to make a big play in the return game; he has just one kickoff return, for 20 yards, through five games.
Which is OK, because Kenney is finally getting chances to make plays as a wide receiver.
Through five games, Kenney is third on the team with 12 catches for 129 yards. They're modest numbers (his longest reception has gone for 24 yards), and Kenney has yet to find the end zone, but he's shown a knack for getting open on third downs. And being in the starting lineup and simply being at one position has been a relief for a player who bounced between receiver and defensive back during his first two years with the team.
"It was very frustrating, and tough because you didn't know where you were going to be," he said. "You were consistently getting moved back and forth. I'm really appreciative of having a home (at wide receiver) with this staff."
Staying at one position has allowed Kenney, with the help of Penn State receivers coach Stan Hixon, to fine-tune his craft.
"Although I have a lot of things I have to improve on, he's made me a better receiver over the course of the spring and up to now," he said.
Kenney knows the emergence of Allen Robinson at one of the other wide receiver spots will create opportunities for the team's other wideouts. He also knows Bill O'Brien's offensive packages can change by the week, and that the slot receiver could be a big part of those plans on any given game week.
"The offensive game plan changes depending on what the defense is doing," he said. "It's exciting knowing that one week you could be getting more opportunities than the next."
Kenney, who has run the 60-meter dash in under seven seconds, said he has talked to the team's strength coaches about rejoining the Penn State indoor track team after the season. Until then, he'll look to find chances to show off his speed after catching passes from Matt McGloin.
Or, if the opportunity presents itself, after hauling in a kickoff.
"Both me and Jesse Della Valle are eager to return kicks and a lot of them are going deep into the end zone," Kenney said. "Hopefully this week we'll get an opportunity to return one."
