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

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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Penn State Football
Jaquan Brisker #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Jaquan Brisker (S)

When the lights shine the brightest, the stars need to play like stars.

Though he is listed as a safety, Jaquan Brisker does a little bit of everything for Penn State Football’s defense.

In certain situations, he plays up close to the line of scrimmage, almost playing the position of outside linebacker. When that happens, he needs to do a good job of stopping the run.

He also may be the Nittany Lions’ best 1-on-1 cover guy. Since Iowa really involves their tight end Sam LaPorta in the passing game, there may be times when Brisker has to cover him in man coverage.

Even when he is in zone coverage, the All-American safety will need to be a ball-hawk on passing plays, and will need to swarm to the football against the run.

The moral of the story is, Penn State Football’s best defensive player will need to play to his full potential, and do a little bit of everything on Saturday to give this team a good chance to win.