Penn State defense comes through in fourth quarter against Maryland

BALTIMORE - Despite the prowess of the Penn State defense, the unit was tested Saturday in the Lions' 31-30 win by a Maryland team led by mobile quarterback Perry Hills.

"I think early on, the mobile quarterback, it's a pain," Penn State coach James Franklin.

"When you have a mobile quarterback, you have to be disciplined in your assignment," defensive end Garrett Sickels said. "You have to focus in and do your job."

Penn State's defense, which is ranked 44th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rush defense, allowed 466 yards, 241 on the ground. The unit struggled in the first three quarters, giving up yardage in chunks and letting Hills run all over the field.

"We took a lot of shots at him, hit him as hard as we could, but he just keeps getting up and playing. He's a tough kid," Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel said. "He's going to run as hard as he can every play, so you've just got to bring him down."

Hills gained 124 rushing yards and finished 19-of-28 passing for 225 yards.

But with the game on the line in the fourth quarter, the Lions defense flipped the momentum.

"I was telling everybody on the field, the fourth quarter is our quarter," said defensive tackle Austin Johnson. "Everybody started playing at their highest level when they knew the game was on the line, which we kind of needed to do from the get-go. That's what we did in the fourth quarter."

Sickels' fumble recovery with 9 minutes, 57 seconds left to play changed the game, Johnson said. On first down, Hills was sacked for a loss of 6 yards and coughed up the ball. Sickels scooped it and ran 36 yards to Maryland's 38-yard line.

In the moment, Sickels said, he knew it was a big play.

"I just kind of hugged Coach Spencer after and tried to catch my air," Sickels said, referring to defensive line coach Sean Spencer. "Everyone was congratulating me, but I knew we had to get back out on the field and finish the game."

With less than two minutes remaining, and Penn State leading by one point, Malik Golden intercepted a pass by Hills to seal the victory.

"It was back and forth, and it was really who wanted it most, and we were able to come out on top," linebacker Jason Cabinda said.

@ErinMcPSU