Penn State’s strength up front stems from physical training camp [opinion]

They tested each other almost every day in the August heat, their pads popping, their helmets crackling and their bodies aching.

Several Penn State veteran players said it was the most physical preseason camp they had endured. Whether it was coach James Franklin’s aim or not, the offensive line and the defensive line are better for it.

“When you practice hard, it makes the game easier,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said Tuesday. “I feel like you guys are starting to see that now, especially when we get into this Big Ten play.”

The Nittany Lions dominated Illinois, a team that prides itself on being more physical than its opponent. They rushed for more yards (239) than the Illini had rushing and passing combined (219).

They imposed their will and beat Illinois into submission last weekend.

“Illinois is an incredible team,” J-Thomas said. “Shoutout to them and their coaching staff. But physically we were just the more dominant team. That’s a credit to Coach Losey (strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey), Coach Franklin and our preparation that we had in camp, in the summer and now in the season.”

The play of the defensive linemen so far has not been a surprise. Whether it’s been Sean Spencer, John Scott or now Deion Barnes coaching them, they’ve been the most consistent position since Franklin arrived at Penn State.

They have at least two future pros at defensive end in Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton and at least two at tackle in J-Thomas and Zane Durant, who had a sack and another tackle for loss against Illinois.

“It’s just a very talented defensive line across the board, J-Thomas said. “We really jell well.

Zane is doing a tremendous job of using his talent, his skill, his speed and his strength. He’s elevated the defense. He’s doing an incredible job right now.”

So is the offensive line, which few saw coming after Penn State lost Olu Fashanu, Caedan Wallace and Hunter Nourzad to the NFL after last season.

Penn State leads the Big Ten in rushing with 251.0 yards per game and is third in total offense with 496.8 per game.

Sal Wormley and Vega Ioane returned at guard, but the Lions had to find three new starters. Drew Shelton and Antony Donkoh have been very good at tackle, and Nick Dawkins has been better than anyone expected at center.

“They’re just one connected unit,” J-Thomas said. “They understand each other well, their strengths and their weaknesses. Then they’re led by Nick Dawkins, who’s done tremendously especially in his development as a leader.

“That offensive line has just turned into one of the best offensive lines I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It’s a huge credit to them, especially when you look at how Nick (Singleton) and Fatman (Kaytron Allen)  are playing (at running back).”

Singleton noticed the seeds being planted in the spring. He saw the confidence and the work ethic of the guys who block for him.

“They had a different mindset during the spring,” he said. “I see them every day out on the field working, blocking and getting the young guys in there, too. They’ve been building a lot of depth. The line’s been really good.

“It started in the spring and obviously carried over to the offseason and training camp. You can see it during games. They’ve been really good, making big holes for me and Kaytron.”

Over the years, Penn State has rarely been considered the best offensive line in the Big Ten. The most impressive group since the Lions joined the conference was the one in 1994 made up of Bucky Greeley, Jeff Hartings, Marco Rivera, Andre Johnson and Keith Conlin, who paved the way for the most prolific offense in school history.

This offensive line has been built by assistant coach Phil Trautwein, who was ironically hired after the Lions rushed for 396 yards against Memphis in the 2019 Cotton Bowl. He’s produced seven NFL draft picks.

What happens on the line of scrimmage has often cost the Lions against the Buckeyes and Michigan in the last decade.

We’ll soon find out how this one holds up against the best teams left on Penn State’s schedule, USC, Wisconsin and Ohio State. The signs so far are encouraging.

“They’ve done an incredible job,” J-Thomas said, “of growing, jelling and playing as one single unit, which is exactly what you need up front.”

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