UNIVERSITY PARK – It’s dangerous to make sweeping conclusions against a 43-point underdog.

But suffice to say Penn State accomplished what it wanted to in Saturday’s 46-11 season-opening win over Nevada at Beaver Stadium.

“I was pleased,” James Franklin said. “We came out and played the way we were supposed to play.”

The Nittany Lions prioritized getting their transfer wide receivers involved early, and they did not disappoint.

Kyron Hudson (USC) and Trebor Pena (Syracuse) combined for 13 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown – eight catches in the first half as State built a 27-3 lead.

“I’m excited about our new receivers,” Drew Allar said.

After last year’s struggles to gain separation on the perimeter, expect the trend to continue.

“You can take things away from our offense, but we have complements now,” Allar said.

Allar wasn’t perfect, but he was good enough. He completed 14 of his first 17 for 133 yards and a touchdown in the first half before finishing 22-for-26 for 217.

Most of all, he looked in total command and in rhythm, albeit against an opponent here for a $1.5 million paycheck.

The Lions’ backs didn’t dominate, but they didn’t have to, either.

“Our running game could have been better,” Franklin said. “We have to be more explosive.”

Defensively, under new coordinator Jim Knowles, Penn State performed as advertised with standout Dani Dennis-Sutton playing the role of Abdul Carter and before him Micah Parsons.

“He (Dennis-Sutton) wants to be great,” Franklin said.

The Lions allowed Nevada and its quarterback, Chubba Purdy (Brock’s brother), 44 yards on the first series but stiffened to the tune of negative-8 yards combined on seven other drives.

It was encouraging to see Penn State take more chances in the return game than perhaps it has done in the past. Or maybe that was dictated by the opponent.

Either way, King Mack – the PSU-to-Alabama-and-back transfer – busted a kickoff return for 73 yards in the second quarter.

Most impressive was Hudson’s effort to provide downfield blocking on the play.

“Any way I can help the team win,” he said, happy that somebody noticed his blocking.

Penn State didn’t complete every drive – including after Mack’s return – but it did score on its first eight possessions and nine of 10 overall and didn’t punt.

“Obviously, we didn’t execute (in the red zone),” Franklin said. “But it was good to get field-goal work. That’s going to be important.”

Franklin was happy with about everything but the late-game officiating, which prompted him to confront the referee before he shook hands with Nevada coach Jeff Choate.

“Obviously, we did not win the penalty battle,” he said. “I was not happy with the last one. The official is in the huddle holding us, turns to the umpire, says, ‘pump the clock.’ He doesn’t do it. Then throws a flag on us. Then I go and address it, and the same thing he’s behind him going. ”I tried to tell him.”’

The Lions entered the game ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press behind Texas.

Should they move up to No. 1 since the Longhorns lost to Ohio State in Columbus, 14-7, earlier Saturday afternoon?

Probably not. Though Arch Manning was overhyped and did not play well in the loss, Ohio State should and likely will get credit for the quality of competition it was willing to play.

That will keep Penn State No. 2, which could be a psychological advantage and in an underdog role to the Buckeyes as the season unfolds.

On this day, though, nobody in the Lion camp was looking quite that far ahead.

“Overall,” Franklin said, “really good Game 1.”