Penn State Football: 3 players to watch against Ohio State

DE Adisa Isaac

Penn State has a lot of talent in its defensive end room, but the numbers aren’t showing it.

The Nittany Lions have recorded just one sack in each of the last two games and now they are dealing with an injury to the team’s most consistent pass rusher, Chop Robinson. Robinson did not play against Minnesota and it’s unclear if he will return this week.

Even if Robinson does play Saturday, the other pass rushers will have to step up. The one most likely to do so is Adisa Isaac.

Isaac missed all of the 2021 season with an injury and has been working his way back to where he was prior to the injury each week. He had a solid game against Minnesota, recording five tackles with 0.5 for loss.

Without Robinson, Isaac would become the focal point of Ohio State’s offensive line’s gameplan. They will do what they need to do to stop him and make others beat them. If Robinson does play, Isaac will assume the role of the pass rusher that needs to take advantage of the other likely being double teamed.

Penn State getting consistent pass rush will help take some of the pressure off of Porter and the rest of the cornerbacks. It will also lead to sacks, which will put the Buckeyes behind schedule on offense, something that rarely happens.

Isaac having a strip sack could be the momentum changing play the Nittany Lions need to pull off the upset.