Improving Penn State defense faces Ohio State test

The inexperience of Penn State's defensive line and the glut of injuries to its linebacking corps allowed opponents to fearlessly run the football against the Nittany Lions in the first month of the season.

The Lions yielded more than 300 rushing yards in two early losses - to Pittsburgh (341) and to Michigan (326). Two weeks ago, when undefeated Maryland entered Happy Valley with a 300-yard average on the ground, it figured to be another disappointing day for James Franklin's team.

But the defensive line and the patchwork linebacker group answered the call, holding the Terrapins to 170 rushing yards and 270 total yards - a season low for the Penn State defense - in a decisive 38-14 win on Oct. 8.

"Getting our guys experience, building their confidence as early as we possibly can, I think that's the group that has probably grown as much as anybody - our defensive linemen," Franklin said. "I think the biggest difference between now and Game 1 is the experience of our defensive line and those guys being stout and being aggressive as the season has gone on."

Now the next challenge awaits the Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), a Saturday night "whiteout" matchup against No. 2 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0). The Buckeyes go into Beaver Stadium with a proficient ground game that is fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 300.5 yards per game.

The trio of tailback Mike Weber, H-back Curtis Samuel, and quarterback J.T. Barrett has rushed for 1,502 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry, a three-headed headache for the Lions defense.

"It comes down to everybody on our defense doing their job and getting off blocks and making sure tackles," middle linebacker Brandon Smith said. "You've really got to get 11 guys running to the ball against this team because they've got some real athletic and explosive guys that can do some nice things if they get enough space to do it."

Smith, who had 14 tackles and an interception and was named Big Ten defensive player of the week after the Maryland game, could be getting some help on Saturday. Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell, two linebackers who started in the season opener, have practiced this week and could return from injuries against Ohio State, although neither is likely to start.

Their return might mean less playing time for Smith, but he doesn't seem to mind.

"It'd be great to get those guys back and get some more depth at linebacker," he said. "As far as the guys who have been playing, we're just going to keep preparing and do our film study and work hard at practice. It's going to be great when we can get those guys back, but we'll leave that up to the doctors."

Two keys for the Nittany Lions defense will be forcing turnovers and tackling against an Ohio State offense that averages 49.3 points and 516.5 total yards.

Since forcing five turnovers in their first two games, the Lions have managed just four takeaways. Ohio State, meanwhile, has turned it over just six times and is plus-8 in turnover margin, fourth in the nation.

Missed tackles also have been a problem for Penn State. The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Barrett, who has played a significant role in the Buckeyes' last two wins over the Lions, is a load to bring down.

"We have to come in there with a lot of energy," free safety Marcus Allen said. "We have to tackle well in space, create turnovers, just work on everything. We have to bring our A game."

As for Barrett, Allen said, "He's a great player, a really good athlete. If he calls a pass play and the pass play is all locked down, then he'll take off and make it a huge play. We have to stop him, and stop a lot of players on their offense."

jjuliano@phillynews.com

@joejulesinq