Nov. 9, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop's mantra is simple.
He wants the Nittany Lions to play with relentless pursuit and never-ending pressure.
Those two things could not be more evident than when Penn State opponents face a third down.
The Nittany Lions do not sit back and hope to prevent opposing offenses from moving the first down sticks. They attack, and they do it from all angles in a swarming fashion.
Penn State's stifling defense limited Indiana to 3-for-17 on third down during Saturday's 13-7 win in Bloomington. With Saturday's effort, the Nittany Lions are now ranked eighth in the nation in third down defense. Opponents are a combined 42-of-138 on third down (30 percent) in 2014.
In the five Big Ten games this season, the Lions have limited their opponents to 22-of-78 on third down (28.2 percent). That mark includes a combined 4-of-31 during the past two games (12.9 percent).
A number of factors contribute into Penn State's success on third down this season, but keeping opponents to third-and-long situations plays a big role in the team's ability to bring pressure from a variety of places, thus forcing offenses in to uncomfortable situations.
In Saturday's case, the Nittany Lions set out to limit Indiana running back Tevin Coleman, who came into the game as the nation's leading rusher at 162 yards per game. Coleman gained 71 yards on 20 carries (3.5 avg.), which broke a streak of 10-consecutive games of 100 yards or more.
"We just wanted to stay gap accountable to make sure everyone fit in the right spot on every single play," senior linebacker Mike Hull said. "They are the type of team that goes two yards, three yards and then (Coleman goes) 80 yards, so we knew that we just had to stay focused all game."
By limiting the Indiana ground attack, the Lions made the Hoosiers one-dimensional on third down. But it all started with the defense's ability to stay disciplined against a dynamic running back.
"He's a great back. He's a big kid with great speed, but it came down to everyone doing their job," junior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel said. "For us to hold him to 70 yards was great for us, and we are happy with the outcome."
Simply put, the Nittany Lions have been dominant on the defensive side of the ball, and the unit's confidence level seemingly grows every week.
"It's a lot of fun (playing on this defense)," senior safety Adrian Amos said. "It's always fun when you are good (laughter). We are playing well, and Coach Shoop makes the perfect play calls. And we are clicking this year."
Penn State's third down success is one of six statistical categories that the Lions rank in the top 10 nationally in. The list includes No. 1 in the nation against the run (85.6 ypg), No. 3 in the nation in total defense (267.6 ypg) and No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense (16.6 ppg).
Indiana's offense had the ball 15 times on Saturday. Penn State forced the Hoosiers to punt 11 times, tallied two interceptions, stopped IU on downs and held IU to a missed field goal (51 yards).
"The defensive line played great, and it starts up front with those guys and Mike Hull's unit making so many tackles," Amos said. "We've been playing really well, and it starts up front."
With nine games in the record books for 2014, the Nittany Lions focus towards the 10th game on the schedule. Penn State and Temple will collide in Beaver Stadium on Saturday at noon (BTN). While the opponent changes, the same relentless mindset remains the same on defense.