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Penn State football video: Top takeaways from Friday practice, defense media day

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/30/22•

GregPickel

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Penn State held its final practice availability before the Rose Bowl on Friday.

LOS ANGELES — Penn State held its final practice availability before the Rose Bowl on Friday. The Lions worked in a steady rain at Dignity Health Sports Park as they continued to prepare for Utah. The two sides meet on Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

Earlier in the day, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz spoke with reporters alongside a handful of his charges at the Sheraton Los Angeles Grand hotel in downtown LA.

In the video below, Ryan Snyder and Greg Pickel discuss what they learned at practice, who caught their ears during the question and answer session, and also offer a prediction on the game.

Diaz talks Penn State defense facing Utah

Diaz was asked about where his unit is ahead of “The Grandaddy of Them All”. The game features a top defense that is great against the pass versus an offense that is extremely efficient on the ground.

“It’s a great challenge with this Utah offense,” Diaz said. ” Scoring 40 points a game, conference champions, and it’s going to start with — really they do a great job of just questioning your toughness down for down, the way they pound the football. The one thing you always worry about in bowl games, you haven’t played in a month. Kind of got to restart, reestablish your toughness. Tackling is always crucial in bowl games, so I think those will be the big things.

“You mentioned the word relentless, we have to run to the football, we have to tackle, all the things that every defensive coordinator is going to say, but when you haven’t played in a month, I think to take on an even bigger emphasis.”

The leader of the Lions defense also discussed star Utah quarterback Cam Rising.

“When your quarterback is tough, your entire offense is tough because just by the nature of the game, the guy touches the ball on every play, and everybody on the sideline is watching your quarterback,” Diaz said.

“When he can demonstrate that he’s tough, everybody’s level of toughness picks up. What you can see that Utah has is Utah has belief. They believe in their leader. Why wouldn’t they, because of the way that he plays the game. When they need a play, whether it’s a two-point conversion in the first match-up against Southern Cal, they’re going to call his number. He’s demonstrated with pretty routine effectiveness that he’s going to deliver it when it’s called to him.”

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