Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546586
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 3 5 Here's a look at how the defensive unit performed through the opening weeks of the season. The early results offer rea- sons for confidence, but the contrast be- tween the two games also shows where Penn State needs more consistency as the schedule moves toward the tougher tests that await in Big Ten play. Defensive Line Against Marshall, the Nittany Lions were suffocating at the point of attack, allowing only 44 yards on 26 carries. With redshirt seniors Keanu Williams and Siale Taupaki, both UCLA transfers, anchoring the interior, the Thundering Herd found little running room. The story against the Owls was con- siderably different. Temple needed only 33 carries to rack up 176 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Temple quarterback Jaxon Smolik, a Penn State transfer, broke loose for a 47-yard run, one of 5 carries by the Owls of at least 10 yards. With Granville absent, Penn State's defensive line also generated little pres- sure on Smolik, adding to the concerns raised by the Owls' rushing performance. Sophomore defensive end Yvan Kemajou notched a sack, but it was the Nittany Lions' only one of the day and accounted for half of their 2 tackles for loss. Penn State was credited with only 1 quarterback hurry, by redshirt senior defensive end Ikenna Ezeogu. With that limited production, one of the founda- tions of fans' preseason confidence in the defense was already showing some cracks. The good news? Statistics aren't ev- erything, and Smolik's big run made the Owls' 5.3 yards per carry considerably more impressive than their 4.0 average on the remaining attempts. Further, with Penn State's secondary largely locking down Temple's passing game, the de- fensive line had relatively few pass-rush opportunities. The Owls attempted only 22 passes. Removing that run helps put the average in perspective, but prevent- ing those explosive gains remains part of the defensive line's assignment. Without Granville, Penn State's rota- tion of five available defensive ends is now down to four, led by Kemajou and Ezeogu, with depth provided by red- shirt senior Caleb Bacon and sopho- more Alexander McPherson. Junior Dal- las Vakalahi, redshirt junior Ty Blanding and redshirt sophomore De'Andre Cook are providing depth at defensive tackle, while redshirt sophomores Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell have worked to bounce back from injuries. Linebacker Penn State entered the 2026 campaign cautiously optimistic about the return of redshirt junior linebacker Tony Rojas and the impact he could have on the defense. Still, uncertainty accompanied that op- timism, with Rojas having missed winter and spring work while rehabilitating from a torn ACL suffered last season. Rojas' performances in the opening weeks exceeded those cautious expec- tations and eased the uncertainty. He worked through a first-half snap limit against Marshall, found his footing in the second half and built on that effort with a sterling effort against Temple. An inter- ception and a team-high 7 tackles high- lighted his afternoon. Rojas has been an easy pick as Penn State's most talented and consistent de- fender early this season, but the rest of the position group is still sorting itself out. Senior Kooper Ebel started both games alongside Rojas and followed a shaky start with a better showing against the Owls. Depth has come primarily from junior Cael Brezina, who ranked second on the team with 11 tackles through the first two games. Redshirt freshman Cam Smith contributed 4 tackles versus Marshall, while sophomore Alex Tatsch returned from an injury to make 2 tackles at Tem- ple. Rojas has given the unit a dependable centerpiece; establishing reliable produc- tion around him remains the next step for a group still working through its early- season rotation. Secondary If Rojas has been the Nittany Lions' best defender so far this season, redshirt senior Audavion Collins and his corner- back teammates have been the top posi- tion group as a whole. Although the cornerbacks have yet to make an interception, they have provided shutdown coverage. Through two games, Penn State ranked No. 4 nationally in passing yards allowed per game (105.0) and No. 8 in team passing efficiency de- fense (91.28). Those are team statistics, but the corners have played a central role in the strong start. Starting alongside Collins at corner- back, sophomore Daryus Dixson has fol- lowed his rookie season with continued strong play. Redshirt freshman Jahmir Joseph and redshirt sophomore Ibn Mc- Daniels have both served as capable back- ups thus far. Senior Zion Tracy also offered cause for optimism, bouncing back with a strong performance against the Owls after a lin- gering preseason injury limited his Week 1 reps. Meanwhile, true freshman Josiah Zayas is already gaining extensive expe- rience. The surprise newcomer became Penn State's first true freshman to start a season opener on defense since John Reid in 2015. The picture has been less settled at safety, where senior Jamison Patton and junior Marcus Neal Jr. have at times struggled in pass coverage and run sup- port. Redshirt senior Jeremiah Cooper's return from injury has provided a boost to the group. ■ Redshirt junior linebacker Tony Rojas was Penn State's leading tackler through two games with 14 stops, and he added an interception against Temple. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS