Penn State pass rush explained: Defensive film review

On3 imageby:Thomas Frank Carr•09/12/22•

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Penn State linebacker Jonathan Sutherland is proving that he's a capable SAM linebacker in Manny Diaz's blitz-heavy scheme. Currently, he's third on the team with four pressures, according to PFF. He's second on the team with a sack and a QB hit as well. (Photo: Dan Althouse/BWI)

Once again, Penn State’s defense frustrated a quality quarterback and stymied the opponent’s passing attack. Ohio's quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed less than 50% of his passes in a 46-10 loss to Penn State. So far, the Nittany Lion’s defense has played well in new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s system. However, despite holding two quarterbacks to under 60% completion percentage, the defense has yet to generate a high amount of sacks, hits, and pressures. That’s despite having one of the highest blitz rates in the country over the first two weeks of the season.  So we’ll look at how the system works, what some of those fixes are, and how the defense can create more big plays as they get more comfortable in the scheme.