LBU legend assumes critical new role in Penn State football defense

Off its nation’s best 12th shutout in the last decade, James Franklin and Penn State football open conference play with a top-20 matchup versus No. 19 Illinois under the Beaver Stadium lights Saturday evening. Despite being only three games into the season, the Nittany Lions defense has not wasted time refining its processes under new defense coordinator Tom Allen. With Allen’s recent move from the sideline to the coach’s box, former standout linebacker and current analyst Dan Connor now fills a vital role for the Nittany Lions defense on game day.

“I think he wasn’t sure, after not being up there for so long and obviously being a head coach and being on the sideline and all the things that come with that, I’m not sure if he was sure how he was going to feel being up there,” James Franklin said Monday of the feedback he received from Tom Allen after moving to the booth for Saturday’s 56-0 win over Kent State. “Then I think after going up and doing it, I think it became a viable option for him and for us.

“Like I said, for a ton of different reasons, we’ll take it on a week-to-week basis and see what’s best ultimately for our team and ultimately for our defense. I think he [Tom Allen] liked it.

“I think the other thing we did a good job of is [director of coaching technology] Jevin [Stone] did a really good job—as well as [offensive analyst] Robb Smith and [defensive analsyt] Thomas Allen, who were with him in the booth. We went up there on Friday and did a full dress rehearsal; had Dan Connor on the sideline. We’re kind of going through drives and calls and doing the communication, and Dan was able to communicate with the linebacker. So I think that was helpful as well. Feedback was good.”

Of course, Dan Connor brings a wealth of valuable experience on the sideline and, thanks to the NCAA’s rule change this season, in the headset of the Nittany Lion middle linebackers. A two-time All-American, Connor left Penn State as the program’s all-time leader in tackles with 419.

“Dan is as amazing a coach is as he was a player,” cornerbacks coach Terry Smith said Thursday. “He’s very dynamic. He doesn’t talk a lot. But, when he talks, there’s such great substance behind it. He’s a great leader. He’s very insightful. You can see all the reasons why he was a great player, why he is Penn State’s all-time time leading tackler, and he just passes that on to the linebacker crew.

“He’s a great addition. We’re super thankful that they changed a rule where he could actively coach. I think it’s a big blessing for our team. Especially for the linebacker room, for the defense, but our entire staff.”

Penn State football preparing for raucous environment on Saturday night

© Grace Carella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024

This week presents a new challenge for Tom Allen, Dan Connor, and the Nittany Lions defense. With the undefeated Fighting Illini rolling into town, James Franklin has been calling on “White Out Energy” to engulf Beaver Stadium.

While ultimately looking to further tilt the home-field advantage in its favor, that energy can also present just as many communication difficulties for the Penn State defense as the Nittany Lions hope to elicit from the Illinois offense.

“Yesterday and today, we had the defense in here [Holuba Hall] with the crowd noise going,” James Franklin said Wednesday evening. “And obviously, we have cleaned some things up as well in just kind of how we’re operating and how dependent we are on the headset communication and how much we’re not using the headset communication. Kind of working through some of the kinks, but I thought last week was excellent.

“But there’s still the fact that you’re dealing with the noise on defense. Not only is it challenging for their offense, it also, if you’re not prepared for it, it creates some issues for you too.”

After allowing 375 yards and snapping a 28-game streak of not allowing an opening drive touchdown against Bowling Green, the Nittany Lions clamped down versus Kent State. The defense allowed just 67 yards, part of a historic 651-yardage differential on the afternoon. Penn State football is now ranked No. 9 and No. 21 nationally for total and scoring defense, respectively.

Kickoff between the Nittany Lions and Fighting Illini is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC.

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