Penn State notes: Ugly defensive performance leaves one Lion speechless

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EVANSTON, Ill. — Penn State’s defensive performance Friday night against Northwestern left linebacker Tony Rojas speechless.

“Obviously there’s not much to be said,” Rojas said. “We just have to get back to work. We can’t bow our heads.”

The Wildcats gashed the Nittany Lions for 413 rushing yards in their dominant 34-13 victory in their first game at the luxurious Ryan Field.

Penn State’s performance was anything but pretty. The Lions not only were fooled by the Wing-T concepts directed by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — yes, that Chip Kelly — but they also missed loads of tackles.

“They ran a weird Wing-T,” Rojas said. “We never really got used to that. There was misdirection and those types of things. We have to be more disciplined. Missing tackles is something we can control.”

Caleb Komolafe rushed for 188 yards and one touchdown and Joseph Himon II ran for 162 yards and two TDs. Northwestern averaged 7.5 yards per carry one week after netting 32 yards on 27 carries against Indiana.

Penn State allowed at least 100 rushing yards to each of its last four opponents: Temple, Buffalo, Wisconsin and Northwestern. Those four teams combined for 822 rushing yards, an average of 205.5 per game.

Rojas made a game-high 12 tackles, including three in the backfield and a sack. He and offensive players Ben Brahmer and Chase Sowell suggested that last week’s practices weren’t physical enough.

“It starts with us, the players,” Rojas said. “We have to be more disciplined and we have to finish tackles. We have to come out with more intensity in practice. As leaders, we have to make sure our practices are better.”

Running game stalls: Penn State rushed for a season-low 48 yards on 22 carries and had no gain longer than Rocco Becht’s 10-yard scramble and Carson Hansen’s 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

“We need to have conviction,” angry guard Cooper Cousins said. “I know that’s the vision we have for ourselves. We need to start putting that on tape. Teams need to start worrying about the conviction they’re seeing from us in the run game.”

The Lions’ lackluster performance on the ground against Northwestern came one week after the Wildcats allowed Indiana to rush for 271 yards in a 29-23 victory.

Through five games, Penn State is averaging 156.4 rushing yards per game and 4.4 per carry. As a comparison, the 2025 Lions averaged 174.4 per game and 4.8 per carry and the 2024 Lions averaged 202.3 and 5.3.

Penn State did shorten the four-man rotation in the backfield, giving James Peoples and Hansen most of the snaps. But those two and Quinton Martin combined for just 15 carries because the Lions fell behind so early.

“I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault,” Cousins said. “We have a great coaching staff and a great program. I think we’re ready to go. I don’t think it’s leadership’s fault.

“We have to come off the ball with a nasty intent, knock people’s helmets off and get push at the line of scrimmage.”

Lynn on sideline: Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn left the press box at halftime with Penn State trailing, 24-7, and called defensive plays from the sideline in the second half.

“Coach Lynn came down to figure out where we could continue to add value and get the right fixes,” Lions coach Matt Campbell said. “How do we find the right solutions, whether that’s personnel or scheme?”

Northwestern scored just 10 second-half points, but the damage was already done.

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