Penn State coach Terry Smith happy with play of defense despite latest loss

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Penn State slowed down No. 2 Indiana's high-powered offense for much of the game last Saturday, nearly pulling off the program's first top-five win since 2016. The Hoosiers averaged 505 total yards per game, but they only mustered 326 total yards against the Nittany Lions. Of course, the defense folded during Indiana's game-winning touchdown drive, but interim head coach Terry Smith saw a lot of positives in their performance.

"You saw on Saturday, they looked like the old Penn State defense. They got after it. They were having fun," Smith said during Monday's press conference. "I think our guys are starting to settle into the defense and learning it and starting to master it, putting a couple of caveats in there and putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback now. We want to continue that and build on it."

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was more aggressive in his play-calling last weekend, sending more blitzes at quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The pressure led to three sacks and forced Mendoza to extend the play or get rid of the football quickly. Even on the game-winning touchdown catch by Omar Cooper Jr., Penn State sent seven rushers at Mendoza and forced him to put up a prayer. It was a good defensive call for the Nittany Lions, but an even better play by the Hoosiers.

The pressure helped get star rushers Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant into more 1-on-1s, leading to sacks for each of them. The defense could have success with this formula against Michigan State this weekend, regardless of which quarterback the Spartans start.

Another noticeable change was more of Penn State's freshmen defenders playing on key downs. Linebacker Alex Tatsch and defensive lineman Yvon Kemajou both played during Indiana's game-winning drive, and cornerback Daryus Dixon played significant snaps, including a sack in the second quarter. Smith said Knowles has simplified some of the defensive scheme to help get those players on the field.

"As we talk through things and we talk about our personnel, getting our young guys involved, we know that the young guys can't run the whole playbook. So, we have to simplify for those guys to have success," Smith said.

Smith said Penn State is hoping to get freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman back this week from injury. He's been one of the team's best pass-rushers in his limited snaps and could be a big part of the program's future. Getting him back in the lineup would only improve the Nittany Lion pass rush.

Penn State could rally to reach bowl eligibility, but it'd need to win its last three games (at Michigan State, vs. Nebraska and at Rutgers) to do so. Regardless, the Nittany Lions are now building toward their future, and what Knowles found with his young defenders against Indiana could be a big part of that future.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Terry Smith thinks Penn State defense has returned to form

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