Penn State Football #1 Run Defense in the Country

Penn State had one of the best rushing defenses in college football in 2023. They were great throughout they year and held teams to 13.5 points per game. They were a very impressive, aggressive, attacking defense.

In the run game, they held teams to 75 yards rushing per game and an unbelievable 2.3 yards per carry. This was #1 in the country and one of the reasons they were so good.

They blitzed often and brought many different run stunts on early downs. They were predicated on movement, especially when they played Rutgers. They brought inside pressure, free safety and LB Pressures, CB Cowboys and some pressures to the tight end side.

One of the things the defense liked was to bring cross stunts on early downs as part of their pressure package.

Cross Dog

The front is set away from the tight end. The DT to the tight end side slants to the B gap.

Another example of the inside cross dog vs the same tight end formation. They just set the front the other way to the TE in this example. Looks like the defense will be cover 3 if they throw the football.

The last inside pressure is a loop stunt.

Nose: Off A gap Will: Play side A Gap Mike: Off B gap

The LB #43 away from the blitz reads out of the blitz. If the ball was run to the boundary, #43 he would fill the b gap. But he rocks back the other way, stays square and makes a nice tackle as the ball works to him. He makes a nice play