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Penn State vs. Wisconsin: 3 keys to victory vs. Wisconsin

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football
Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Temple Owls (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Who is going to step up along Penn State Football’s defensive front? 

Penn State Football lost both starting defensive ends Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh to the NFL this offseason, so they already had a lot of production to replace. The news that defensive end Adisa Isaac, who many expected to have a breakout year, will miss the season due to injury is a crushing loss.

Being undermanned against a Wisconsin offensive line in week one is more than troubling, and could ultimately be the determining factor in this contest Saturday. The Badgers rushed for over 160 yards per game on the ground last season, good for 62nd in the country. They will be replacing two or three starters along their offensive line, and may not be as good as years past, but expecting a Wisconsin line to be any type of weakness is probably wishful thinking.

Temple transfer Arnold Ebiketie may very well be the most important player for Penn State football this season not named Sean Clifford. He will need to wreak havoc off the edge, and prove he can play at this level after dominating in the AAC last season. Opposite him, Nick Tarburton looks to be the guy, someone who is hard not to root for after battling injuries his entire career to this point. Is it a weird twist of fate that now he is healthy, reportedly having a fantastic camp, and will get his shot to prove it on the field after an injury to someone else? time till tell.

The interior of this line should be more then reliable led by captain Pj Mustipher at defensive tackle and transfer Derrick Tangelo from Duke. They will have to play a role in pushing the pocket and getting pressure on Mertz Saturday afternoon. If Mertz has all day to throw back there, it will challenge this potentially vaunted Penn State Football secondary, as the pass rush and secondary need to work in tandem for a successful defense.

A few other names to look out for will be Hakeem Beamon on the inside, and Smith Vilvert and Jesse Luketa at defensive end, yes, that Jesse Luketa who was the starting middle linebacker last season. He is making the move to end after continuing to bulk up, and any contribution he can make at end would be welcomed.

Penn State's keys to success on defense in 2021. light. Must Read

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