University Park— Penn State’s defense looked like a Penn State defense is meant to look in Saturday’s 21-7 win over Illinois at Beaver Stadium.
It allowed an opening-drive touchdown, and after that, nothing.
In the second half, Penn State was particularly dominant, giving up no points and just 39 yards of total offense.
Was this a statement for Penn State’s defense?
“For sure,” safety Jaylen Reed, who ended the night with nine tackles (six solo) a tackle for loss and a sack said after the game. “I just feel like we got back to (playing) Penn State defense. That’s the Penn State defense ya’ll know. That’s the Penn State defense that we usually play. That’s the Penn State defense that we usually play like every game. We just have to fast. You know, I’m always critiquing everything else. So I feel like we have to start off fast and start playing like that from the beginning. The first drive shouldn’t have to be like that.
Here more from Reed, as well as MIKE LB Kobe King (seven tackle, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL), CB A.J. Harris (four tackles, two solo, pick six called back for penalty) DE Abdul Carter (seven tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss) and QB Drew Allar (15-for-21, 135 yards) after the win.
