UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State defense may have needed a night like Saturday’s 35-6 White Out victory over Washington perhaps more than any other game so far this season.
In spurts, Penn State was picked apart against Ohio State Oct. 26, especially when it couldn’t stop the Buckeyes in obvious running situations at the end of the game.
But the bounce back was indicative of the team as a whole as the PSU defense didn’t allow a touchdown for the second time this season.
“We knew what our standard was, and we knew we could play up to our standard,” PSU edge rusher Abdul Carter said.
Carter was the catalyst on the night, filling up the stat sheet with six tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks to go with a forced fumble. Jaylen Reed had seven tackles and an interception.
“Jay Reed continues to make plays for us,” PSU coach James Franklin said. “Abdul Carter continues to make big plays in critical moments.
“We have a ton to be proud of. We need to focus on that. I’m proud of my guys. I’m proud of my staff. We value winning. We respect winning and what it takes.”
But make no mistake about it. Carter was everything PSU thought he would be this season Saturday night. As if the stats weren’t enough, Carter, who says he’s “still getting better and growing,” also could have drawn a holding penalty many times over on the Washington offensive line.
“He’s a disruptive football player,” Franklin said. “He was that way when he played linebacker. He’s a disruptive player at defensive end. He’s just getting better. That’s the exciting thing about Abdul. He’s got a ton of football left ahead of him. He’s getting better every single week, and I’m proud of him. He continues to find a ton of different ways to disrupt the game.”
Carter credits PSU defensive line coach Deion Barnes as being an important piece in his development as an edge rusher.
“I was with him earlier this week looking at little stuff I can improve on,” Carter said. “He’s always trying to get me better in the littlest ways to make sure I’m as elite as possible.”
Kobe King and Audavion Collins both picked up a sack each, while Jordan Mayer and Ta’Mere Robinson both recorded half a sack.
King said it was important to “flush everything” after a tough loss like last week.
“We can’t be pondering on a loss, but you definitely have to correct mistakes from those losses,” King said.
Penn State could use more of this from its defense. If Penn State goes 3-0 the rest of the way, it would likely make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and perhaps host a first-round game.
King was asked what having another opportunity for an atmosphere such as the White Out could be like for a possible CFP game in December.
“I know people would be excited,” King said. “It might be a little cold, but it might be even better than the White Out.”
