Marcus Allen is a fifth-year linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Penn State alum. Allen has played sparingly for the Steelers, however his impact on special teams, in the locker room, and his presence on the practice field has made him a valuable addition to the club.
One thing that Allen is known for is resiliency and being a team player. He was put on waivers twice by the Steelers, switched position from strong safety to inside linebacker and has done everything asked from him ever since he was a pro.
Nittany Sports Now caught up with Allen in the locker room after Sunday’s game and spoke about the Steelers win, how the Steelers can turn around their season, and how Penn State can bounce back after its 41-17 loss Saturday at Michigan.
First Allen spoke to NSN about the win and talked about it was a team victory and all three phases stepped up and pulled of the upset of the Buccaneers.
“I believe that we just stuck together and came together as a team and in all three phases we were dominant.” Allen said. “Controlling the run on defense, running the ball on offense, and making big splash plays on special teams and when all three phases come together that’s what happens.”
Next NSN asked Allen about how the Steelers will turn around the season and Allen talked about staying hungry and motivated and believes that he can turn the season around starting with this coming Sunday night’s game at the Miami Dolphins.
“We’re motivated to go practice and work every day, and you will see in Miami we just got to keep focused and keep your head down.”
Next Allen spoke and spoke about how Penn State will bounce back after their embarrassing loss this past weekend at Michigan, and he spoke about how head coach James Franklin will have this team ready for Saturday night’s game against Minnesota.
“I’m sure (Coach) Franklin is going to have the players go in the team meeting, evaluate and access what happened and turn it around fast. They have a strong defense, a veteran quarterback that knows the game in and out and I am sure they will turn it around.”
Finally, Allen spoke to NSN about how his own experience bouncing back from a bad loss at Michigan, citing the 49-17 loss at Ann Arbor during his junior year in 2016. The Nittany Lions bounced back from the loss by beating Minnesota and Ohio State on their way to winning the Big Ten Championship, which is something that this season’s Penn State team has an opportunity to do. Allen cited Joey Porter Jr. as one of the main catalysts if the Nittany Lions are going to make it happen.
“I think Joey Porter Jr. is going to get the secondary and the defense going and they are going to come together and play the next week, just like we did.” Allen said “We had great leadership while I was at Penn State, and this year’s team had great leadership”
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