Penn State’s defense was back in the sack and tackles-for-a-loss business in 2022, thanks in large part to new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.
The outstanding play of freshman linebacker Abdul Carter, who led the Nittany Lions in sacks (6.5) and tackles for a loss (10.5) didn’t hurt, either.
Diaz’s defense was wreaking so much havoc, it was reminiscent of the Chaotic halcyon days of Sean Spencer’s Wild Dogs, who led the nation in sacks in both 2015 and 2018, and were sixth in TFLs in 2015 and fourth in 2018. (See the charts below.)
Under Diaz, heading into the Rose Bowl against Utah Jan. 2, Penn State is trending back in that direction.
In the 2022 regular season, Penn State’s defense was tops in the Big Ten Conference in both sacks (3.08 per game) and TFLs (7.9 per game). It was No. 9 overall in the country in sacks (Pitt is No. 1, at 3.79) and No. 9 in TFLs (Liberty is No. 1, at 9.1).
That’s a far cry from 2021, when Penn State ranked No. 74 nationally in sacks and No. 45 for TFLs.
FRANKLY SPEAKING
Head coach James Franklin credits the loss leader resurgence of the Penn State D to the X’s and O’s scheming of Diaz, who had his deep and fast fleet of Penn State defenders quickly filling gaps rather than initially at least partially taking on an offensive linemen or blocker.
In explaining the switch in philosophies, Franklin referenced former Penn State defensive coordinators Bob Shoop (2014-15) and Brent Pry (2016-2021).
“One of the differences with Manny is that in the past — whether it was with Bob or whether it was Brent — we were more of a gap-control defense,” Franklin said a few days before the season finale against Michigan State. “So, we would take on half-of-a-man and basically play through a man into our gap. Now, we have more vertical pressure. We now have gap control by getting vertical through the gap, which allows you obviously to be more disruptive.
“From a common sense approach, if I’m playing into (an offensive player), rather than shooting inside of him, you obviously got a chance to penetrate and create negative plays and tackles for loss.
“As our guys got more and more comfortable, even though we had played a certain way for a long time, we started to play a little bit more confident within the (new) scheme and what we’re teaching them to do. And trusting in it, which allows for opportunities for negative yardage plays.”
As Franklin pointed out on a near-weekly basis this fall, Penn State had a large number of players who recorded a tackle behind the line of scrimmage in 2022. In all, a stunning 27 PSU different players had a TFL in the regular season.
Penn State had a season-high 16 TFLs at Indiana, and a season-high seven sacks at Auburn and against Maryland. In its two losses, Penn State did not fare as well, especially when it came to sacking the quarterback. Penn State had only one QB sack at Michigan and just two vs. Ohio State.
DIAZ IS THE MAN(NY)
Diaz’s approach was a hit with his defenders. And, as Franklin himself noted, it’s also popular with potential Penn State players as well. Sacks and TFL’s help sell recruits.
“We’re playing within the scheme and playing fast and aggressive,” Franklin said. “If you’re a defensive player —specifically a defensive lineman or a linebacker — I can’t imagine there’s a more productive system to play in. So that’s the other positive from this: Not only do our guys get an opportunity to make plays, but the type of defense we play is attractive to recruits coming in.”
For those keeping score, Carl Nassib is Penn State’s single-season sacks leader (15.5, 2015); Larry Kubin had 15 in 1979 and Michael Haynes had 15 in 2002.
No one at Penn State tackled better behind the line than defensive end Courtney Brown. He is the all-time sacks leader (33), and is also Penn State’s TFL leader for a single season (29, 1990) and a career (70, 1996-99). Brown was the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in 2000 draft, when he was selected by Cleveland. (Newly-minted Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington was the overall No. 2 in 2000).
SACK-HAPPY: BY THE NUMBERS
Here is where Penn State’s defense ranks nationally for sacks and tackles for a loss in the James Franklin Era (2014-2022), with the Rose Bowl yet to go for this season:
SACKS
Year No. Per game Rank PSU Leader (#-yds.) 2022 37 3.08 9 Abdul Carter, 6.5-59 2021 27 2.08 74 Arnold Ebiketie, 9.5-62 2020* 22 2.44 50 Shaka Toney, 9.5-76 2019 45 3.46 7 Yetur Gross-Matos, 9.5-76 2018 47 3.62 1 Yetur Gross-Matos, 8-58 2017 42 3.23 7 Shareef Miller, 5-31 2016 40 2.86 19 Evan Schwan, 6-43; Garret Sickels, 6-42 2015 46 3.54 1 Carl Nassib, 15.5-107 2014 31 2.38 45 Anthony Zettel, 8-46
* COVID-shortened season
TACKLES FOR LOSS
Year No. Per game Rank PSU Leader (#-yds.) 2022 95 7.9 7 Abdul Carter, 10.5-64 2021 82 6.3 45 Arnold Ebiketie, 18-81 2020* 60 6.7 40 Brandon Smith, 8-27 2019 101 7.8 11 Yetur Gross-Matos, 15-85 2018 107 8.2 4 Yetur Gross-Matos, 20-88 2017 93 7.2 25 Shareef Miller, 11-52 2016 113 8.1 7 Garret Sickels, 12.5-59 2015 106 8.2 6 Carl Nassib, 19.5-120 2014 92 7.1 20 Anthony Zettel, 17-72
* COVID-shortened season
