Penn State hoping to have pair of veteran defenders back for matchup with Michigan
Penn State beat Maryland 31-14 last weekend without the help of two oft-used defensive players.
End Jesse Luketa and safety Jonathan Sutherland both traveled to Capital One Field and stood in their uniforms on the sideline, but neither saw the field.
Will either suit up and take snaps against Michigan?
The Nittany Lions are hoping so after reporters saw both players active during a portion of practice that was open to the media on Wednesday night.
“Obviously, being able to practice isn’t always a final determination,” Franklin said. Sometimes, it’s a game-time decision.
“But, we’re hopeful to have those guys back.”
Both played a role at Maryland
Franklin was proud of the leadership both players displayed despite sitting out during the win over the Terps.
“I thought Jesse Luketa and Jonathan Sutherland’s leadership on the sideline and in the locker room was significant,” he said this week. “We talk all the time about guys having roles and embracing their roles.
“That was their role on Saturday based on their ability or not ability to play in the game. That had a big factor.”
Why Penn State needs them back
Luketa has been a force at his new position after multiple seasons as a Penn State linebacker. Prior to the first week of November, he recorded 40 stops over eight games and also racked up six tackles for loss, a half a sack, and five quarterback hurries. The senior has an interception on his 2021 stat ledger, too.
With Luketa sidelined, Penn State used Zuriah Fisher for nearly 30 snaps. The second-year end who played linebacker at Aliquippa finished with just an assisted tackle but held up well while on the field.
“He’s taking steps,” Franklin said. “He got a bunch of reps, which was great. We think he’s a talented guy. He just got to gain experience at that position. Obviously, hasn’t played it in high school, so he’s gaining experience all the time and gaining confidence.
“We need to continue [with] some of those young guys gaining that experience and having some success to build on for the rest of the season and for future.”
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Penn State would be best suited to roll Luketa, Arnold Ebiketie, and Nick Tarburton onto the field most on Saturday against the Wolverines (Noon, ABC). The three have been a force along the line for coordinator Brent Pry’s group. Ebiketie and Luketa in particular are both drawing high praise from NFL evaluators thanks to their play so far. Besides Fisher, end Smith Vilbert has also seen extended action as the season has progressed.
As for Sutherland, the veteran who wears No. 0 is a special teams ace who also frequently sees time in a backup safety role. With him sidelined, the Lions turned more to Keaton Ellis in addition to freshman Jaylen Reed behind starters Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown.
Franklin was not asked to address the status of back Devyn Ford, who was hurt at Iowa. He then did not travel to Ohio State but did accompany the team to Maryland, where he did not log any snaps. The Lions will also hope to have him available both in the backfield and as a returner this weekend.
The Wolverines are dealing with their own injury issues, as well, including a key one to back Blake Corum. It all will make pregame warmups especially important prior to this weekend’s contest.
“Talented football team, like Michigan always is,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “And it’s going to be a tremendous challenge and a tremendous opportunity come Saturday.
“That’s why we need everybody in that stadium to create a challenging environment so we can find a way to be 1-0 together.”
