Penn State began this season with a backup quarterback who had played in one game and who had attempted two passes.

One of coach James Franklin’s top priorities last week was to get Ethan Grunkemeyer plenty of snaps in the season opener against Nevada and he did.

Grunkemeyer played the entire fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions’ 46-11 rout, completing 7-of-9 passes for 86 yards and running for a 6-yard touchdown.

“I was very impressed with Grunk and his performance,” Franklin said Monday during his weekly press conference. “I actually thought he played better in the game than he’s practiced at times. He wasn’t holding onto the ball. He was decisive.

“When he did get pressure, he was able to step up in the pocket, find outlets quickly and get the ball out of his hand.”

The 6-2, 212-pou

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