Connor McGovern’s self-assessment is in.

Starting at center for the first time in his Penn State career Saturday against Akron, the true sophomore said he felt less nervous, much more comfortable, and plenty confident on the Beaver Stadium field.

And next week, he said, he’ll aim to be even better.

“I can always improve on every area out there,” McGovern told reporters via teleconference Wednesday. “I had one bad snap so I want to eliminate that this Saturday. I'm working on that. I just want to keep getting better every week.”

McGovern’s lone bad snap occurred in the first half of a 52-0 win against the Zips, deep in their territory.

Helping push the Nittany Lions in their first offensive possession of the 2017 season, largely on the ground as quarterback Trace McSorley compiled 32 yards and a pair of first downs on three carries, the drive hit a snag in the red zone. Beginning on first-and-10 at the Akron 13-yard line, McGovern’s snap nearly over McSorley’s head forced a 2-yard loss as the quarterback attempted to dive back to the original line of scrimmage.

The next play, McSorley forced a pass to Juwan Johnson into double-coverage in the end zone, resulting in an interception and ending Penn State’s first chance at points for the season.

The snafu did not discourage McGovern, though.

Responding with confidence, the Nittany Lions would build on DeAndre Thopmkins’ 61-yard punt return for a touchdown with touchdown possessions of 75 yards, 87 yards, 62 yards and 45 yards all before the end of the first half.

Owning a 35-0 lead, the Lions returned in the third quarter to produce a field goal and two more touchdowns. Helping to secure some huge holes for Heisman-hopeful running back Saquon Barkley, finishing the game with 14 carries for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground, the Lions also finished their blocks and protected McSorley without giving up a single sack.

All of it prompted McGovern to assess his group’s performance as having gotten off to a good start.

“Definitely we're a lot more comfortable than last year,” said McGovern. “Last year we were still moving guys around and had a lot more guys subbing in. Now we're a lot more confident with the starting five. We still want to be a lot more aggressive and still be leaders out there.”

That aggressiveness and leadership are areas head coach James Franklin expects to come for McGovern as he continues to acclimate to a role that is new from his prior experience.

Beyond his time at guard last season, Franklin noted that McGovern’s high school experience as a center was unlike any of the responsibilities he’s now growing accustomed to. As a result, a learning curve is likely to ensue.

“Obviously going to center now, all he does or predominantly is shotgun snaps the whole time, and running a spread type system, it's new,” said Franklin. “He's a guy that played at a pretty high level as a true freshman for us last year. He has gotten bigger, gotten stronger, gotten leaner and is really doing a good job being verbal.

“That was an area I was a little bit concerned about with him, is that he's not the most vocal guy. So making sure that he was going to take control in there and make the calls with confidence. That was something that I think needed to grow, and I think that was communicated through Coach Limegrover and myself. He's done a good job. So I think you'll just continue to see him get better and better as the season goes on and gain more confidence, which will allow him to be more physical.”

Hosting Pitt this weekend, it’s an aspiration McGovern expects to put to good use.

The Panthers’ defensive front will be entirely new from the one the Nittany Lions’ offensive line faced a season ago, including the departure of end Ejuan Price to the NFL and the team’s dismissal of senior Rori Blair in the offseason. Still, defensive end Dewayne Hendrix returns from a season-ending injury in week one of the 2016 campaign while Allen Edwards, Keyshon Camp and Shane Roy all assumed new starting spots last week.

Sizing up the Lions’ challenge this weekend, McGovern said preparation has been different as a result.

“This year is a little different because we only have the Youngstown State film for this year,” said McGovern. “They lost a lot from last year, so it's going to be a little different from watching film. Last year they were very good up front and all that, and then we're just going to keep watching Youngstown State and I know our coaches will get us ready for this week.”