Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/399784
because takeo; is so much more of a factor. So I knew one day I could gain 30 pounds and I'd :ll a role in the starting lineup. "The last two years, I played defensive end, which was :ne. But I knew when my time came and I was at my best position, it would be D-tackle." Then-defensive line coach Larry Johnson made sure Zettel was on the travel roster for early-season road trips, :guring he could make an impact as a pass-rusher. But Johnson also knew that the newcomer would be at a big disadvantage on inside running plays. In the end, the coaching sta; decided to hold Zettel out of action, moving him over to the scout team full- time. Said Zettel, "I was really thankful that they redshirted me." Here's why: Johnson le< Zettel at de- fensive tackle, where his job on the scout team was to take on starting interior o;en- sive linemen, including center Matt Stankiewitch and guard Johnnie Troutman, both of whom are currently employed by teams in the National Football League. Facing players who weren't going to cede a single advantage willingly, Zettel learned how to outsmart the competition. "I was a scout guy the rest of the year, and we went against all the starters every play," he said. "Going against the starters made me realize how important low pad level is when you're getting double-teamed by 600 pounds. So, as a 250-pounder, I knew that if I added 30 pounds of muscle, it would give me a great advantage. "It's a lot better taking on double-teams at 280 than 250." Zettel faces them every Saturday now. He's one of the most energetic and pro- ductive defensive tackles in college football, as evidenced by his seven tackles for loss Beyond the statistics, the rankings and see-it-with-your-own-eyes improve- ments, something quickly becomes very clear about Bob Shoop when you talk to people in the program. Seemingly everyone likes him. Among Penn State players and football staffers, Shoop is a popular guy. His de- fense, which through six games was ranked fifth in the country in points al- lowed per game (15.2) and second in rushing yards (60.8), is also extremely well-liked. The energetic, enigmatic defensive coordinator has taken the reins of a unit that struggled mightily last season, and he has made it markedly better in just about every respect. Along the way, he has impressed his new team with his deep passion for and understanding of the game. Wearing the hardened expres- Shoop keeps defense one step ahead | KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Shoop carefully studies opponents' play-calling patterns. "I've been on the headset with the de- fense where Bob's called out 75 percent of the plays before they've been run," Franklin said. Photo by Tim Owen