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Penn State Football: Defensive backfield taking over games

By Collin Wieder

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 07: Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions intercepts a pass intended for Bennett Skowronek #88 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 7, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 07: Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions intercepts a pass intended for Bennett Skowronek #88 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 7, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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It’s all smiles in Happy Valley right now. Penn State football is 6-0 and despite missing some players, the defensive backfield is playing A-plus football.

“Linebacker U” hasn’t taken a break from producing, but the secondary keeps making headlines. After John Reid suffered a season-ending injury this summer, a lot of pundits worried about this secondary (Courtesy of PennLive). Penn State football didn’t. The defense knew what kind of defensive backs it had behind a veteran front seven.

This secondary allows just 167.8 passing yards per game on a 53.8 completion percentage. Also, the defense has given up just three touchdowns and forced nine interceptions, so this group clearly can make plays. They don’t just force turnovers, but they blanket receivers as well.

Safeties

It starts with a hard-hitting playmaker at safety with Marcus Allen. The four-year starter and dominant defender gives this team an edge deep. He loves contact and can lower the boom on anyone. He’s an underrated player in coverage as well. Allen recorded his first career interception this year and can separate receivers from the football with deflections and big hits.

Allen’s the leader of the secondary, but he’s got some great friends around him. Fellow starting safety Troy Apke has done a nice job of containing things as well. He’s a solid starter in his first year making few mistakes. He can make open-field tackles and keep everything in front of him. Those two rarely give up big plays.

Corners

Penn State football knew Allen and Apke would pair up for quality play back deep, but the corner position was a question mark. Last season’s starting corner John Reid suffered a season-ending injury during spring practice, so people didn’t know what to expect from the group. Instead, the defense got three ballhawking corners.

Seniors Christian Campbell and Grant Haley had experience and played well last year, but they’ve even impressed in 2017. They don’t have the interception stats, but they smother opposing receivers and allow little separation.

The biggest surprise comes in from Amani Oruwariye. As a junior with zero previous starts, Oruwariye is leading this team in interceptions with three. He doesn’t have loads of other stats or highlight plays outside of this season. But, he’s quickly made his presence known with the Nittany Lions.

Must Read: Penn State Football: First three weeks after bye will make the season

Through six games this group has taken over games. They’ve been far and away the best unit on the team and make Penn State football more of a contender.

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