Dominic DeLuca proved yet again why the walk-on deserves to be a three-time Penn State team captain.
In the midst of Penn State football's offense struggling to find rhythm and create a huge gap on the scoreboard, special teams showed up big to try and give quarterback Drew Allar good field position. Not allowing the ball to even reach mid-air, DeLuca extended his arms up and blocked the FIU punt from Trey Wilhoit. After the ball was stopped by the Panthers, the Nittany Lions offense returned to the field at the FIU 45-yard line.
That’s why he wears #0! Dom DeLuca blocked punt! pic.twitter.com/oARceoQ8rU
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) September 6, 2025
DeLuca sporting the No. 0 jersey wasn't overlooked by fans. After getting on the team as a walk-on and turning himself into a critical component of the Nittany Lions' team. His path is unique and since day one, DeLuca controlled his path at State College.
Dom DeLuca just keeps adding to a legendary underdog story at Penn State. Walk-on player turned three-time team captain, key linebacker and special teams ace. https://t.co/Q56rPxw5Jx
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) September 6, 2025
The No. 0 is deserved, and the blocked punt while Penn State's dominance faltered in the first half against FIU was just another play that represented the number on his back.
AGENT 0 DOM DELUCA ⭐️
— Jack (@jackhullihan) September 6, 2025
that's why Dom DeLuca wears No. 0. https://t.co/1AlBFtknxr
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) September 6, 2025
The lack of scoring from the Penn State offense not only became frustrating for Allar, but for fans. They hoped that DeLuca's blocked punt and the defense's consistent third and fourth down stops would open up more opportunities for the Nittany Lions to expand their lead.
Penn State's offense should thank the defense for keeping FIU off the scoreboard. Dominic DeLuca blocked the FIU punt and the NIttanty Lions are set up in prime position at the FIU 45. Still 7-0 PSU, will this be the drive Penn State wakes up?@PaFootballNews
— Mason Eddinger (@Mason_PFN) September 6, 2025
However, even the blocked punt the offense couldn't capitalize on. Penn State sent the ball right back over to FIU with the drive ending with Allar getting put down onto the field on third down. The Nittany Lions had no choice this time but to punt it away and thankfully, the Panthers didn't answer DeLuca's blocked punt with on of their own.
Penn State got the ball stopped at the two-yard line and the defense worked overtime again to ensure FIU remained scoreless. The Panthers headed into the locker room with zero points on the scoreboard while the Nittany Lions put up just 10 on a touchdown and field goal. Big moments on special teams can only go so far, and head coach James Franklin said, without worry, that cleaning up all aspects of the offense from third-down and fourth-down conversions to making catches needed to happen in the second half.