Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530530
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 47 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M E D I T O R I A L MATT HERB MATT.HERB@ON3.COM I n the third quarter of Penn State's regular-season finale against Maryland on Nov. 30, Abdul Carter slipped past offensive tackle Marcus Dumervil and slammed into MJ Mor- ris with terrifying speed, dropping the quarterback for a 7-yard loss. After springing back to his feet, the Nittany Lions' standout junior defensive end bent his left leg, cradled his right arm around an imaginary football and ex- tended his opposite arm outward as if trying to repel an opposing tackler. By now, we've all seen Heisman Trophy hopefuls strike that pose, a familiar gesture aimed at making sure everyone knows how legit their candidacies are. This year's top two contenders, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, have been doing it since September. What we haven't seen very often, if ever, is a player with no realistic Heis- man hopes striking the pose as a form of protest. Maybe we should see more of it, though. Asked after the Maryland game what kind of statement he was trying to make, Carter admitted that he thought he was worthy of consideration for college football's top individual honor. But it wasn't just a self-congratulatory moment; he was also acting on behalf of his fellow defensive players — at Penn State and beyond. "Offensive players are recognized as the best in the country, but there are defensive players who make just as much of an impact as the best offensive players," Carter said. "Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter — they're great players and they [deserve] respect, but I im- pact the game just as much if not more than them. I feel like defensive players should get the same recognition, and we don't. The Heisman goes to the best player in the country. I feel like I'm that [player]." Carter was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for his performance during the regular season, which in- cluded 10 sacks and a league-best 19.5 tackles for loss. He's sure to receive some All-America nods and maybe a national defensive award or two. But there was never any Heisman buzz, and even if there had been, Penn State's struggles against Oregon in the Big Ten title game would likely have silenced it. In the days leading up to the ceremony, it seemed certain that the coveted tro- phy was destined to end up in either Boulder or Boise. That would certainly be consistent with its history. Since the first Heis- man Trophy was handed out in 1935, only once has it gone to a defensive player. That was in 1997 when Michi- gan cornerback Charles Woodson out- polled Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. Even then, Woodson's can- didacy was boosted by his appearances on offense and special teams. Hunter is a defensive player, too, but it was his 1,152 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns that made him the Heis- man favorite heading into the Dec. 14 ceremony, not his 31 tackles and 4 in- terceptions. Over the years, the Heisman Trophy balloting has reinforced ideas about defense being somehow subservient to offense, a facet of the game that isn't as fun to watch or as crucial to victory. And yet, the results of Penn State's 2024 regular season show just how important it is. The Nittany Lions finished 30th in the FBS in scoring offense at 33.3 points per game but were sixth in scoring defense, allowing just 14 points on average. Even in the team's two regular-season shootouts — against USC and Bowling Green — second-half defensive clampdowns were pivotal, giving the offense time to get in rhythm and rally for the winning points. The Lions threatened to do the same to Oregon, tightening up defen- sively in the second half, but weren't able to complete their comeback. Carter was asked after the Maryland game what it would take to change people's perceptions about the value of players on his side of the ball. "I think it would take more defensive players speaking out about it, and not letting all the love go to the offensive players," he said. "We're just as impor- tant to the game. We make just as much of an impact. I feel that once we do that, we'll get more recognition." Carter has definitely not been giv- ing much love to offensive players this year, at least not the ones he's been facing on Saturdays. In his first season at defensive end after two years at line- backer, he's grown steadily more con- fident at the position, ranking third in the FBS in tackles for loss and tied for 10th in sacks. In all likelihood, he'll be menacing quarterbacks in the NFL in a year's time. For now, his priority will be to keep his college career going for as long as possible. He wasn't headed for New York in mid-December, but there are other destinations his team would like to reach, and the defense will have a large say in whether it gets there. ■ Carter was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in tackles for loss and ranking second in sacks during the regular season. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS Abdul Carter Takes A Stand For Defensive Stars VARSITY VIEWS