Blue White Illustrated

June-July 2022

Penn State Sports Magazine

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3 2 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M S P R I N G F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 2 ter than I was. So that's my motiva- tion right now. That's why I'm going so hard." Looking To Lead Should both players reach those goals, their impact on Penn State's defense is expected to be significant, both on and off the field. Providing leadership and on-field performances that few others could du- plicate, Isaac said he isn't placing any limits on his aspirations for the team in the fall. Whether it's a national title, Big Ten championship, or simply winning on a game-by-game basis, his stated approach is rooted in keeping the inten- sity high into the summer and through- out the season. The first steps on that path are still the most important. For Mustipher, that means recovering to the point where he is ready to be an on-field participant in the practices leading up the 2022 sea- son. For Isaac, the goal is to continue his transformation from the kind of player who flashes great potential to one who is a consistent, dominating presence on the defensive line. Both players have endured some dif- ficult times and are looking to come out on the other side as key contributors to a resurgent Nittany Lion football team. "I've got crazy dreams for this group right now, and I know we can accom- plish it," Mustipher said. "But if we aren't there, and if we're not leading, and if we're not doing everything in our power to bring everybody along and make sure this group is right, then it's not going to happen. We've got to do what we have to do, even though we're hurt." Having come this far, both Isaac and Mustipher are poised to do exactly that. ■ Mustipher is seven months into a rehab process that typically takes eight months to a year. He's hoping to be back on the prac- tice field when Penn State's preseason camp begins in late July. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL

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