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Four things we learned about Penn State Football this season

By Alec Whitaker

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 05: Kayton Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 05: Kayton Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Manny Diaz was a great hire

Some were skeptical of James Franklin’s hire of Manny Diaz as defensive coordinator.

Diaz was taking over for Brent Pry, who was the one mainstay on Franklin’s staff at Penn State. These were big shoes Diaz had to fill.

While his unit had a few rough moments in the second half against both Michigan and Ohio State, overall, they were a solid unit.

Penn State gave up just 18 points per game this season, good enough for 11th in the nation. The reason the Nittany Lions gave up so few points was because of the amount of chaos plays the unit produced.

The Nittany Lions racked up 37 sacks this year, which tied them for ninth in the nation. Moreover, Penn State was seventh in the nation with 95 tackles for loss. Penn State also averaged two turnovers per game, with 12 fumble recoveries and 12 interceptions. That also ranked top ten in the nation.

Diaz put his players in the best positions to succeed and did his best to put the best players on the field. His work with being able to get both Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs on the field together at linebacker should not be overlooked.

If Diaz returns next year, which should happen, he will need to work on stopping Michigan and Ohio State, but this was a great first season for the former Miami head coach.

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