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

STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
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)
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.

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

Grade: A