Blue White Illustrated

Temple Postgame

Penn State Sports Magazine

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S E P T E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 12 T I M O W E N | O W E N . T I M . B W I @ g M A I L . c O M His teammates initially weren't sure what to think. With starting linebacker Nyeem Wart- man-White writhing on the ground late in the first quarter of Penn State's even- tual 34-27 win over Temple, it was al- most deja vu from one year ago. That's when Wartman-White tore the ACL in his leA knee playing against the very same team; this time, playing at home instead of on the road, it was the right knee that he clutched. "Honestly, I was in shock," defensive end Torrence Brown said. "I didn't know what to expect, but he's fine." Wartman-White didn't return to the game, although he walked off the field under his own power. When he came back to the sidelines, he wore a large brace on his right knee and was no longer in pads. An official word on his injury has not been announced. With fellow starting linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell both not suited for the game due to injuries, it was walk-on Brandon Smith who was called in to replace Wartman-White. With two second-year players – Jake Cooper and Manny Bowen – flanking him, Smith took the reins from Wart- man-White. "Nyeem just told me that this was my chance and to make the most of it," Smith said. So he did. A native of Lewisburg, Pa., who walked on at PSU four years ago over options to play for Penn and Princeton, Smith finished his most complete action in a PSU uniform with eight total tackles, including an assist on a tackle for loss. He also added a key pass breakup in the fourth quarter. Smith played most of the preseason on the scout team or with the second-team defense, so his time with the starting de- fense in practice had been limited, if not nonexistent. When he came in during the first half against the Owls, however, his teammates said they barely skipped a beat. "Brandon has always known the plays and he does a great job and he's a very smart guy," said defensive tackle Parker Cothren. "He came in today and he called the plays how we're supposed to. He was loud and he was vocal, even though he's a quiet guy." It was a chance that Smith embraced. Although he would've chosen to make his breakout performance under different circumstances, he wanted to take full ad- vantage of his time. "You never want it to happen like that," he said. "Obviously, not the best circum- stances to get put in the game, but I was excited for my opportunity. That first se- ries I was a little nervous and probably played a little slow, but aAer that we got things rolling and the guys were playing great." Despite Penn State finishing the game without seven of its opening-day starters, it held Temple's rushing attack to just 38 yards on 28 attempts (1.4 yards per rush). PINCH HITTER Brandon Smith makes an instant impact on an injury-plagued LB corps Smith chases after Temple QB Phillip Walker. The jun- ior linebacker finished the game with eight tackles, helping lead the short- handed Lions past Temple. Photo by Steve Manuel PSUtixman@gmail.com www.PSUtixman.com Get your PSU Football Tickets at go t ti cke t s? k c i t t t e k man@g .PSUtixm www.PSUtixman.com at ootba Get yo k c i t t o gm .PSUtixman.com all ur s t s e k

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