Safeties, cornerbacks in the spotlight for Penn State defense

Penn State’s defensive backfield is deep and confident. First-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz won’t hesitate to play a minimum of four corners and four safeties during the course of a game.

And those numbers might start to grow.

Penn State (2-0) leads the nation in pass breakups with 25 in two games. The No. 22 Lions had 16 in their win at Purdue and nine more in a 46-10 victory over Ohio on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Coach James Franklin said after Wednesday’s practice that he wants more disruptive plays — tackles for loss and sacks — from his defense with a road date at 2-0 Auburn coming up Saturday afternoon.

But the Lions’ aggressive play in the secondary has been impressive to watch.

Here are some takeaways from Franklin’s post-practice meeting with the media:

Big responsibility for safeties

Penn State’s safety group might be a bigger factor against the run game, but Franklin would prefer a big night from his front seven instead.

Auburn’s 1-2 punch of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter is formidable. The duo has combined to rush for 273 yards and seven touchdowns. Bigsby ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns against PSU last season, and Franklin is eager to see how his defensive line and linebackers match up with the Tigers’ offensive line and backs.

If need be, the Lions have four safeties who can play big minutes against Auburn: Ji’Ayir Brown, Keaton Ellis, Jaylen Reed and Zakee Wheatley.

“I think you have to hope that it’s the front seven and not the safeties,” Franklin said when asked about getting his safeties involved vs. the Auburn run game.

“Because when the safeties are getting too involved, that’s when you’re susceptible for the play-action pass and the big shots. But they’ll be a time and place for that, but, obviously, you hope that you can be as productive as you need to be with the front seven and not include the safeties.”

Pass coverage improvement

Veteran corner Johnny Dixon, one of the team’s most improved players, is a big reason why the pass coverage has improved.

Dixon, a South Carolina transfer, got the start over Kalen King at the corner spot opposite Joey Porter Jr. against Ohio.

Franklin cautioned not to read too much into that, but Dixon has produced 21/2 tackles for loss (two sacks) and two pass breakups in two games.

“Again, we talk about competition at every position,” Franklin said. “Johnny’s playing well right now. (Cornerbacks coach) Terry (Smith) felt like, Terry and the defensive staff and Manny felt like (Dixon) did enough to have the opportunity to start.

“Really, rep-wise, it didn’t really change a whole lot, rep-wise, for those two guys. But those are the types of competitions we hope to have kinda throughout our program and at every position.”

Nourzad, Effner add to offensive line

The versatility of Hunter Nourzad and Bryce Effner gives Franklin multiple options on the offensive line, and that group is facing a big test vs. Auburn.

Norzad, a transfer from Cornell, can play both guard spots and center.

Effner replaced Caedan Wallace at right tackle late in the Purdue game, and he also can fill in as the Lions’ No. 3 tight end.

Franklin is also pleased with the play of Landon Tengwall at left guard.

“I think both of them deserve to play,” Franklin said of Tengwall and Nourzad.

“I think you’re going to see some weeks where we have Hunter take some reps at both guards (left and right), you’re going to see some weeks where Hunter takes reps at one guard and then the center position to give Juice (Scruggs) a blow.

“Hunter deserves to play. (Bryce) Effner deserves to play. Those two guys, we kind of view as starters.”