Penn State football: 5 Nittany Lions that are key to victory over Iowa

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after recording a sack against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 28: Parris Campbell #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes fumbles the ball on the second play from scrimmage in the first quarter after being hit by Shaka Toney #18 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Penn State recovered the fumble. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

5. Shaka Toney, DE

Last week, Penn State’s defensive line had a completely dominant day as a whole. With ten total sacks, they almost broke the program’s single-game sack record. Defensive end Shaka Toney was a crucial part of that as he led the pack with three total on the afternoon.

Like many defenses, Penn State’s success comes from the pass rush. If you can get pressure on a quarterback, it makes it hard to throw. And if it’s hard to throw, then teams rely on the run, which Penn State is pretty solid in stopping.

Penn State knows they will get a solid effort from Yetur Gross-Matos, who is consistent with his high level of play. Now if they can get the same type of consistent production from Shaka Toney, who is neck and neck with Gross-Matos when it comes to the sack numbers right now, then this defense can continue to dominate through the tough stretch of their schedule.

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