No. 3 Nittany Lions relying on defensive depth in Big Ten title game and postseason run
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) celebrates a sack against Maryland during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Barry Reeger]
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — As one of Penn State’s captains, Jaylen Reed loves when underclassmen earn playing time. He knows, especially on defense, the No. 3 Nittany Lions will likely rely on them to make a run at their first national championship since 1986. Heading into Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon at Indianapolis, Penn State has used 39 players to field a defense that ranks seventh nationally against the run and pass. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are fourth overall in total defense and sixth in scoring defense entering the showdown with the Ducks’ 15th-ranked offense with a College Football Playoff first-round bye at stake.
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