Jake Pinegar’s college football career isn’t over yet.
The former Ankeny Centennial star announced via twitter on Sunday that he’ll be coming back for one more season at Penn State.
“Only thing consistent in life is adversity. Things don’t get easier, you just become stronger. So much more to prove individually and collectively with this team. Talk is talk but I promise the best is yet to come. Can’t wait to unfold the story in 2022. #WeAre,” Pinegar tweeted.
Penn State completed a 7-6 season with a 24-10 loss to No. 22 Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Razorbacks rallied for 17 unanswered points in the second half.
Penn State rose to No. 4 in the rankings after getting off to a 5-0 start. But the Nittany Lions then lost at No. 3 Iowa, 23-20, on Oct. 9, beginning a slide that saw the team lose six of its last eight games.
Pinegar, a senior place-kicker, did not appear in any contests until the Outback Bowl.
“It wasn’t a tough decision for me. I think it was pretty simple actually,” said Pinegar, who will turn 23 years old on Friday. “I have had a solid career at Penn State, but I need to end it the right way which will also mean a good transition into the next level.”
Pinegar was the team’s No. 1 place-kicker in his first three seasons at Happy Valley. He was selected all-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media as a sophomore in 2019.
Pinegar ranks fourth on the school’s career extra points list with 137. He is the 14th Nittany Lion to reach 200 career points.
However, Jordan Stout handled nearly all of the team’s kicking duties this season. He made 16-of-23 field goals.
Pinegar connected on a 43-yard field goal in the loss to Arkansas, giving Penn State a 10-7 lead at halftime. He earlier missed an attempt from 50 yards in the first quarter.
“There were unfortunate circumstances that led to me not being the guy all year but that’s another story,” Pinegar said. “I just know there’s still a little left to prove, and that means coming back and capping off my career the right way and helping this team to be the best they can be.
“I’m excited to come back. I can not wait for what’s in store. I have a lot left to showcase,” he added.