Penn State Football: Defense making sound adjustments in second half
Has Penn State football’s defense been dominant this year? No, but its making the correct adjustments at the perfect time.
Right now, Penn State football allows 19.5 points per game – that’s a solid number, but it could also be better. As the defense has tried to figure out the right combination of players, it’s learned how to make all-important adjustments at the right time. Since the disastrous start to the season against Appalachian State, this group has found ways to stop the bleeding against its last three opponents.
First off, the defense forced teams to be one-dimensional in the second half. Pitt rolled up more than 200 rushing yards in the first half, but it managed to scrounge up less than 50 in the second. Illinois pounded Penn State with the same approach rushing for 174 yards in the first half Friday. Again, it struggled to reach even 100 in the second frame.
What tends to happen, and I’m willing to bet the offensive pressure to keep up with Penn State doesn’t hurt, is that this group finds a way to force a key turnover or shutdown a team’s strength. Against Pitt, the defense forced Kenny Pickett to beat them in the second half, it didn’t go well. He couldn’t convert third downs through the air or find running room on the ground. Credit to Penn State for making them one-dimensional.
The linebacking corp which features Koa Farmer, Jan Johnson, Cam Brown, Micah Parsons and Jarvis Miller continues to grow as a newer unit. It’s showed in the wins against both Pitt and Illinois. They adjusted in the second half and brought a more physical approach to the game.
Against Illinois, a similar situation happened. The Illini dominated the line of the scrimmage and pounded Penn State’s defense with Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein. Through the first half the duo had 150-plus yards rushing.
In the second, Penn State tightened the defensive line up and locked down the two backs. It forced Illinois QB MJ Rivers to try and beat the Nittany Lions. It didn’t work and Johnson even came up with a momentum-shifting interception to help put the game away.
dark. Next. Penn State vs Ohio State: Prediction roundtable
This defense doesn’t feature any superstars, just hard-working grinders. With each week, the defense will get better and that’s what I expect from them this week against Ohio State.