Penn State brings suffocating ‘D’ to face Rutgers

Greg Schiano knows a lot about defense with more than three decades of experience coaching that side of the football.

Schiano, the Rutgers head coach, can appreciate how Penn State’s defense has performed lately.

“They played extremely well last week (in a 30-0 win over Maryland),” he said. “Suffocating. They can cover. They play a lot of man or matchup, which turns into man once the routes declare.

“They’re getting after the passer. Pass coverage and pass rush usually go hand in hand. They’re doing both very well.”

The visiting Nittany Lions (5-2 Big Ten, 8-2) hope to continue their success on defense against Rutgers (1-6, 4-6) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (TV-BTN) at sold-out SHI Stadium.

No. 11 Penn State held Maryland and Indiana to a combined 14 points and 330 total yards the last two weeks and sacked quarterbacks 13 times to increase its season total to 30, second in the Big Ten and 16th nationally.

The Lions lead the country with 69 pass break-ups, rank sixth in pass defense efficiency and are 16th in scoring defense (19.0) in their first season with Manny Diaz as defensive coordinator.

“I’m very, very pleased with Manny,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “There are some schematic differences with what