Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn is one of the many No. 16 Penn State football staff members who have Nittany Lion ties. Lynn played for the blue and white from 2008-11 and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention three times in his collegiate career.
With that connection to Penn State means Lynn knows the program's history firsthand. For this upcoming Week 2 battle at Temple on Saturday, that knowledge and experience will come in handy.
“It’s a huge game. It’s the Super Bowl for Temple. So, we have to have that mindset when we go in there," Lynn said, according to Basic Blues Nation.
The last time these two teams met was in 2016 when the Nittany Lions beat the Owls 34-27 at home. Penn State holds a 40-4-1 record over Temple all-time in the series that dates back to 1931.
D’Anton Lynn is one of the few coaches on the Nittany Lions’ new staff who has been a part of a Penn State-Temple matchup.
— Basic Blues Nation (@basicblues) September 8, 2026
On Tuesday, he explained what it means to take on the in-state foe in Philadelphia:
“It’s a huge game. It’s the Super Bowl for Temple. So, we have to have… pic.twitter.com/1k52HT3IeT
D'Anton Lynn will have his defense prepared for Week 2 at Temple
During Lynn's time in Happy Valley, he played the Owls every season. The Nittany Lions won all four games, but it wasn't always easy. In 2008 and 2009, Penn State held Temple to single-digit points (45-3 and 31-6).
In 2010, the score was a bit closer, but the blue and white still won 22-13 at home. However, the Owls held a lead for over 30 minutes of the game before the Nittany Lions surged back in the second half. Temple held a lead for roughly 57 minutes the following season, hosting Penn State, before giving up a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions just came out of that game winning 14-10.
"I’ve played in there a couple times, and there were some times that we won handily; there were some times when, man, it was a dogfight. It came down to the end," Lynn recalled. "So, we know that we’re going to get their best, and we just have to make sure our guys are prepared for that.”
So, while this is a non-conference battle for Penn State, Lynn won't let his defense step off the gas.
Against Marshall in Week 1, the Nittany Lion shut out the Thundering Herd and held the offense to just 147 total yards. The defense combined for a total 56 yards, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and two passes defended. Alongside the eight punts, Penn State forced a turnover on downs and a fumble to get the ball back into its offense's hands. The blue and white also had an interception in the fourth quarter.
It was a dominant performance, and Lynn will expect that same energy and momentum heading into Week 2 on the road.
Underestimating opponents is what can cause those bumps in the road that head coach Matt Campbell can't really afford this season. Though tough moments and games will certainly come around, Week 2 is not the time for the Nittany Lions to get shaky.
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