Penn State ‘Searching for Answers’ at Linebacker

Penn State’s defensive collapse roughly coincides with linebacker Tony Rojas’ long-term injury, which has kept him sidelined since the Oregon game with no timetable for return.

The Nittany Lions elevated veteran Dom DeLuca to a full-time starter in his stead, but he’s struggled to fill the void. Both DeLuca and fellow starting linebacker Amare Campbell have said they’re improving chemistry each week while playing nearly every defensive snap together, but struggles still persist.

Penn State allowed less than 12 points per game when Rojas started, which includes some garbage time scores after he was taken out of the game, but that number has spiked to 29.7 in three games without him, albeit against tougher competition.

“When Tony Rojas went down, that was a big gap that we haven’t really replaced yet,” interim head coach Terry Smith said Monday. “And so we’re just searching for some answers to be able to help the defensive line to stop the run game, which is critical in this game. If (Ohio State) gets going in the run game, it’ll be a long day. So we got to be able to protect that front seven.”

Rojas’ speed makes him a valuable commodity and would’ve been advantageous against mobile quarterbacks like UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Iowa’s Mark Gronowski, who both rushed for career highs against the Nittany Lions. Opponent rushing yards overall jumped from 119.9 to 173.7 per game without Rojas.

The Nittany Lions have also decreased their usage of three-linebacker sets, which previously utilized DeLuca as the third man but now incorporate redshirt junior Keon Wylie, who’s played 49 snaps across the last three contests.

Against No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday, Penn State will be tasked with stopping freshman running back Bo Jackson, who leads the team with 433 rushing yards, and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson, who boasts a team-best six touchdowns on the ground.

Terry Smith said freshmen Alex Tatsch and Cam Smith have a chance to see more playing time in five remaining regular season games, beginning in Columbus.

“We’re just trying to be creative to get some of the young talent on the field and give them an opportunity,” Smith said.

Tatsch played 21 snaps against Villanova, recording three solo tackles, but hasn’t seen the field since.

“His physicality and his speed, he’s a big kid,” Campbell said. “He’s only a freshman, and just how physically he plays when he knows where he has to be, his overall physicality to make plays. He’s good; he’s a gifted kid. He’ll be great.”

Cam Smith has seen even less time, earning just one snap against the Bruins this season, though he’s seemingly come on strong. Campbell described Smith as an instinctive player in the box who’s worked to improve in pass coverage.

Another freshman generating buzz is LaVar Arrington II, who made his collegiate debut against Northwestern with four snaps, all on special teams. Like the others, the biggest obstacle is learning defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ complicated scheme, which is especially demanding of linebackers.

“The kid’s a freak. He’s got all those intangibles, the long arms, big legs, fast, can run,” Campbell said. “The biggest thing for him is just grasping that playbook and fully understanding it so he can be a Mike linebacker, run that defense.”