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‘D’ keeps Lions on their toes

Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca returns an interception for a touchdown while being chased by SMU running back Brashard Smith during the first half in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State’s first-round victory over SMU in the College Football Playoff on Saturday may have proven more about the Mustangs than it did about the Nittany Lions.

As was the case in Notre Dame’s win over Indiana on Friday night, one team showed it’s a national championship contender, and the other didn’t.

The Mustangs threw three interceptions in the first half — two were returned for touchdowns — as Penn State rolled to an easy 38-10 win before 106,013 at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State’s defensive effort was well timed because its offense and special teams did not have their best day.

“Our defense played lights out,” a jubilant James Franklin, who won his 100th game as the Lions’ coach, said and added, “it was the best half of defense” he could recall.

The defense was so good that it bailed out a highly-questionable call by Franklin, who unsuccessfully went for a fourth-and-1 from the Lions’ own 19 with 14-0 lead in the second quarter.

“I told the guys we were going to call the game aggressively,” Franklin said in explanation. “Don’t play on your heels; play on your toes. We get fourth-and-one, I can’t say that all week long and then not do it. When you pick it up, it’s a great call. When you don’t pick it up, it’s a bad call.”

He also said, “I’d call it again.”

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said, “We talk about playing to win as opposed to playing not to lose.”

Maybe it was calculated that SMU wasn’t a serious threat, and Franklin wanted to put the Mustangs away as soon as possible.

Either way, his team had his back as the decision was followed by Dom DeLuca’s second interception at the PSU 11 that rejected the Mustangs’ deepest advance.

SMU never recovered, fell behind 28-0 at halftime, and the Lions were soon wearing Fiesta Bowl hats.

An offense that came in ranked No. 6 nationally, averaging 39.9 points per game, SMU was limited to a field goal before a late touchdown.

The Mustangs were overpowered up front, giving up 11 tackles for loss.

The quality of competition was one factor, but Penn State’s defense also came in determined to improve on the suspect performance it showed against Oregon in the Big Ten championship game two weeks ago.

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