Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Idaho

STATE COLLEGE, PA – AUGUST 31: Aundre Carter #22 of the Idaho Vandals is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions defenders during the second half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Linebackers

The linebackers played a game that was just as solid as the defensive line. Sophomore Jesse Luketa started in place of Cam Brown, due to a first-half suspension from targeting in last year’s Citrus Bowl, and did a nice job recording three tackles, including half a tackle for loss.

True freshman Brandon Smith wowed in his snaps, as he had three tackles, one of them for loss. He also had the biggest hit of the game in the fourth quarter.

.@PennStateFball's Fr. LB Brandon Smith playing until the final whistle. Hit stick money despite the big lead.

RS-Soph. OL C.J. Thorpe on the reaction though. pic.twitter.com/hrzSaFLt8W
— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) September 1, 2019

Furthermore, sophomore Ellis Brooks had three tackles, redshirt senior Jan Johnson had two tackles, and true freshman Lance Dixon had two tackles as well.

Linebackers

Grade: A