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Who Needs to Step Up for Penn State Football’s Showdown vs Iowa?

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions smiles after Sean Clifford #14 throws a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson #5 during the second half of the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on October 2, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions smiles after Sean Clifford #14 throws a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson #5 during the second half of the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on October 2, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Ellis Brooks #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Ellis Brooks #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Ellis Brooks (LB)

Ellis Brooks is currently second on the team in tackles, with 30. He has done a great job of being all over the field so far this year, and he has made a lot of great plays against the run.

Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum is one of the best offensive lineman in the country, and he will have success up front against Penn State Football’s defensive tackles. The Hawkeyes will look to run the football a lot, so Brooks needs to step up in run support from the second level.

Linderbaum does an excellent job of creating running lanes, and turning defensive lineman away from the play. Brooks and the rest of the linebackers need to do a good job of sticking to their gap assignments and filling running lanes quickly and effectively.

Running back Tyler Goodson is a very talented back, averaging 4.3 yards per carry so far this season, with five touchdowns. They will look to be able to run the ball as much as possible, and the Nittany Lions need to be able to stop them.

Finally, the Hawkeyes love to get the ball to tight end Sam LaPorta, so Brooks will need to do a good job in coverage as well. He was tasked with stopping talented Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson in week one, and did a great job in coverage against him. He will need to repeat that against LaPorta.

Ellis Brooks’ success both in run support and in pass coverage will be crucial for the this Penn State Football defense against the Hawkeyes.

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