Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540433
3 2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M J im Knowles was unequivocal in his stance. Arriving at Penn State in January fresh off his first national championship as a defensive coor- dinator, helping guide Ohio State to the College Football Playoff crown in 2024, his expectations for the Nittany Lions were equally high. Up front, Knowles said Penn State had talent and depth, which had helped to form the foundation of the Buckeyes' suc- cess. At cornerback, he foresaw "national championship-caliber" talent and depth. In combination with a defensive line that could control the line of scrimmage and create big plays, with impressive cover- age, and linebackers and safeties poised to complement those strengths, the defense had the opportunity to shine. Unlike his time with the Buckeyes, though, a three-year stint that peaked with last season's success, Penn State would be on a markedly different time- line. Calling the Nittany Lions "really close" coming off their own CFP semi- final appearance, Knowles believed the distance from B-plus to A was less of a mountain to climb. "There's no time to wait. You've got guys who have come back when they could have moved on to the NFL," he said. "There's a sense of responsibility, of 'This is not a two- or three-year build.' This has to be impactful and successful right away." Midway through the 2025 season, it hasn't been. A big contributing piece to a three- game losing streak that started with a MIDSEASON GRADES DEFENSE Penn State has struggled to get off the field NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Through his first six games at Penn State, junior linebacker Amare Campbell (24) was the Nittany Lions' leading tackler with 50 stops. PHOTO BY FRANK HYATT