Penn State defense focused on fixing Big Ten title game mistakes ahead of CFP clash with SMU

Penn State made almost a season’s worth of mistakes on defense in last Saturday’s 45-37 Big Ten title game loss to Oregon. Coordinator Tom Allen’s unit was whistled for two personal foul penalties in the first half. It gave up a season-high 466 yards and 24 first downs to a well-oiled Ducks attack. The secondary had few answers for the Dillon Gabriel to Tez Johnson connection. The Ducks’ Big Ten offensive player of the year at quarterback and top receiver combined for 181 yards and a score, and the passer had four overall. One of the nation’s better units on third down could not make a key 3rd and 9 stop on Oregon’s final scoring drive. And, it predictably failed to get a stop a few plays later on 4th and 2 two plays before the Ducks final touchdown of the night.

Penn State owning the nation’s No. 103 fourth down defense won’t change overnight. But, what must change ahead of its Dec. 21 College Football Playoff game clash with SMU is the sloppiness that hurt it in the conference title game. It’s true that Allen and the assistants under him got the defense to play better over the final 30 minutes compared to the first 30 minutes, which has been a common occurrence this season. But the time of the season is here when a complete 60-minute effort will be required to continue playing for as long as possible. If the version of this defense that appeared in Indianapolis reappears in State College, the Lions will not just struggle to cover as an 8.5-point favorite but also win the game outright.

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“Coach Franklin alluded to that after the game, the margin of error is so small, so slim in these games that it makes all the difference,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said. “I feel like defensively that we made more mistakes in that game than we’ve made in almost any other game. And you know it’s up to a great team to capitalize. I feel like Oregon did that today.”

SMU will be able to, as well. They do not have a passer as threatening as Gabriel nor a receiver as elite as Johnson. But, the ACC runner-ups will bring the nation’s No. 6 scoring offense to State College.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings is tied with Drew Allar for ninth in the nation in yards per attempt with an average of 8.9 yards per completion and can move the pocket. Running back Brashard Smith is No. 22 nationally with an average of 97.69 yards per game. The offensive line is well regarded, and numerous receivers are capable of making an impact, led by leading pass catcher Roderick Daniels Jr., who has 38 receptions for 599 yards, and Key’Shawn Smith and Jordan Hudson, who each have five receiving touchdowns. Penn State will have an edge based on the season both units have had. But, it won’t be a large one. That makes cleaning things up over the all the more important ahead of a Noon ET kickoff at Beaver Stadium.

“They played better,” cornerback AJ Harris said after the Oregon game. “They outplayed us today. We still got a lot of football to play, and just look forward to fixing what went wrong today.”

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If the fixes are both applied during practice and executed on game day, then Harris and his teammates will sing a different tune after 60 minutes opposite the Mustangs. They will expect to do so. And, history suggests that they will. But, slowing down head coach Rhett Lashlee’s attack will be no easy task. The Penn State defense must be ready for curveballs and what it can see on film alike. And, it must play better than it did the last time it took the field. A victory will be dependent on it.

“You got to do be able to do your job at a high level and perform in these games,” linebacker Dominic DeLuca said. “And doesn’t matter who we’re playing and who we’re playing against. Number one team in the country, the worst in the country, guys still got to do their job.

“We’re capable of winning these games. We beat ourselves at the end of the day. We just need to be able to regroup and improve. And, just keep on going for the rest of the season.”