Penn State's championship hopes could hinge on stopping the run [opinion]

Aug 25, 2023

The defensive line has been the cornerstone of Penn State’s success during James Franklin’s tenure as head coach.

Whether it was Sean Spencer or John Scott Jr. guiding the group, the Nittany Lions defense has been consistently strong up front against most opponents.

Penn State, however, has struggled against Michigan and Ohio State, which is well-documented, and also against such teams as Minnesota in 2019 and Illinois in that nine-overtime debacle in 2021.

How the Lions fare this season against powerful rushing attacks might very well determine if they’re Big Ten and national title contenders or pretenders.

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State all will try to pound the football against Penn State. Franklin, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, new defensive line coach Deion Barnes and the players think they’re up to the challenge.

“I think when it comes to playing in the games I’m going to be more than prepared because I’m playing against the best D-line that I might see all year,” tight end Theo Johnson said Wednesday. “I have a ton of respect for those guys and a ton of confidence for what they’re going to do for us this year.”

The Lions ranked among the national leaders in rushing defense last season, but they had lapses that cost them in their only two losses to Michigan and Ohio State.

Against the Buckeyes, they contained TreVeyon Henderson for more than three quarters before he scored two touchdowns on runs of 41 and 7 yards.

Against the Wolverines a couple weeks earlier, they surrendered a mind-boggling 418 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Franklin memorably vowed Penn State’s run defense would be better.

“We gotta get bigger,” he said then. “We’re undersized in some spots. Everybody thinks they’re (Los Angeles Rams All-Pro) Aaron Donald and they’re not.

“We need to be bigger. We need to be more physical. It’s our footwork, our technique and our fundamentals. We own all of it.”

The defensive tackles heeded the loud message and added weight in the offseason. Hakeem Beamon made the most dramatic gain, going from 261 pounds last year to 284. Zane Durant and several others put on 8 to 10 pounds.

“There’s confidence that we are bigger at that position,” Franklin said. “We’re more confident in fundamentals and techniques. We have a much better understanding of the defense and how Manny wants it executed and played.

“I just think we’re in a good position there. We have five or six guys that we feel like can all rotate and play to stay fresh in the fourth quarter and late in the season.”

Penn State has one of the deepest groups of defensive ends in the country, if not the deepest. Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton are outstanding pass rushers. Amin Vanover and Zuriah Fisher enjoyed strong performances in camp.

“The best defenses that I’ve been a part of in terms of getting after the quarterback, including us a year ago,” Diaz said, “is because we had multiple waves of guys that can be relentless and not have to pace themselves to try to last 60 minutes. They can go as hard as they can go.

“We’re blessed to have lots of guys who can create havoc.”

Phil Steele’s College Football Preview ranks Penn State’s defensive line third nationally, slightly ahead of Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan. Pro Football Focus ranks the Lions first.

Preseason talk is cheap, though. The front four has to prove it can shut down the best running offenses it will face this season. The Lions’ championship hopes could depend on it.

“We have a chance to have one of the best D-lines in the country,” Franklin has said. “That’s a position that has a chance to take us to the next level on defense.”

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