Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith’s confidence belies his team’s 0-3 record.

But the sophomore realizes a win is needed, starting with Saturday’s road game against Nebraska.

“As far as our confidence level, we’re still confident in what our abilities are and what we’re able to do,” Smith said during a video conference with media Wednesday. “We’re just look at (Nebraska) as another team. But we do know that, ‘OK, we need some momentum going.’ We’re fully confident in our abilities. We’re just looking forward to getting into the game.

“We’re just ready to get a second chance and bounce back from our mishaps.”

Penn State’s mishaps have been plentiful as evidenced by its record and the 37.3 points per game it has allowed, 10th most in the 14-team Big Ten.

Smith is quick to point out points allowed aren’t solely representative of the defense.

“As far as the scoring number, it’s on all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams,” Smith said. “The offense, if they do have an unfortunate situation and turn the ball over, where is the ball at on the field? Is it where the defense has their back against the wall, or is it further down the field where we’re somewhat comfortable with the situation that we’re handling. As well as the special teams: How’s the punt? How’s the punt return? How’s the kick return? That type of thing. So it’s not really on one specific group. It’s on all of us.”

At the same time, Smith doesn’t deny the defense needs to offer more.

“There’s some minor tweaks that we have to change to the defense. We understand those tweaks, and we know what we have to do from our standpoint. All it is now is to go out and execute it.”

“We do know that there’s some things that we need to fix as far as discipline on the field. Maybe the defensive line will pop over a gap or us linebackers won’t fit in a gap a certain way to where it will help the defensive back. It’s all effort. Everybody. It’s not one particular person. All 11 of us have to move as one. We haven’t been doing that, and that’s what we’re working on and that’s what we’re going to do better.”

Smith leads Penn State in sacks with two and also has 10 tackles (five solo, five assisted) this season. But he realizes he can offer more.

“I know the little things that I need to fix,” Smith said. “I know what my ‘weaknesses’ are. I’m just working to get better each day and give the team all that I have.”

After Penn State’s most recent loss, a 35-19 defeat to Maryland on Saturday, wide receiver Jahan Dotson suggested players have done a poor job dealing with distractions this season.

Smith offered his interpretation of Dotson’s critique.

“He didn’t mean certain guys as far as pointing the blame at one particular person,” Smith said. “Everybody had their own personal distractions, whether it’s something that happened on the field or off the field or any extracurricular activities we’re in. It just means that we’re obviously not in the right mindset that we’ve been in, and we need to fix it. And we know that we need to fix it as a group. That’s what we’re going to do.”

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