How Dani Dennis-Sutton delivered a bright moment in a dark season for Penn State football
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Dani Dennis-Sutton tied the all-time record for blocked punts in Penn State football‘s 28-10 win over Michigan State. But before this season, the senior defensive end had never played a snap on special teams.
Dennis-Sutton credits the idea of playing on special teams to coordinator Justin Lustig, who’s in his second season with the Nittany Lions.
“We talked about it all summer about how we’re gonna get blocked punts this year and help the team,” Dennis-Sutton said. “I have to shout out Coach Lustig. He’s had a greeat game plan every single week. Even if we don’t get the blocked punts, opposing punt units are scheming to block me.
“It’s just to help the team. I’ll do anything we need to do to win.”
It’s not uncommon for starters to have a role on special teams, especially for offensive starters, who may return kicks and punts like Nick Singleton or Trebor Pena. But it’s more common for reserves or younger players to take special teams snaps as an opportunity to get on the field.
It’s commendable that Dennis-Sutton embraced the role as a senior and full-time starter. It’s also impressive how quickly he’s learned the nuances of the position with no prior experience, at least on the college level.
Now he sits next to another #33, Hall-of-Fame linebacker Jack Ham, and Andre Collins for most blocked punts in program history, and that’s not all he did against the Spartans.
Dennis-Sutton also recorded two second-half sacks, one at the end of the third quarter and one to start the fourth quarter, on a drive when Michigan State’s offense had picked up three first downs and was moving the ball well. The score was still 14-10 Penn State, and those stops led to a punt (one that he didn’t block) and the Nittany Lions’ third touchdown of the game.
That was one of the most critical drives of the game, and the defensive catalyst of the team delivered.
“His effort today with two sacks and a blocked punt was incredible,” interim head coach Terry Smith said about Dennis-Sutton’s play. “He just plays so hard, he gives everything.”
Smith also touched on a sober reality in college football: in situations similar to Penn State’s — the team is losing, the coach was fired, — some teams may have guys like Dennis-Sutton opt out. Knowing that could’ve been an outcome, Smith gave one of his senior leaders a lot of credit for sticking through the tough times.
“His leadership means everything to me, to us and to our defense,” Smith said.
In a season with a lot of negatives, Penn State’s win against Michigan State will be a nice memory to look back on, and it’ll serve as a reminder of Dani Dennis-Sutton’s career in Happy Valley.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dani Dennis-Sutton’s shining moment in a dark Penn State football year
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