James Franklin encouraged by effort of Penn State’s D-line, says a key player is 'close' to returning

Penn State’s defense was able to consistently apply pressure to Nevada’s offense in the Nittany Lions’ season-opening 46-11 victory on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

The Wolf Pack only had 52 offensive snaps, compared to PSU’s 71.

Jim Knowles’ defense produced nine tackles for loss, recovered a pair of fumbles and was credited with four quarterback hurries.

Penn State standout defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant made big plays. Dennis-Sutton, one of top edge rushers in the country, collected 2½ tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry and forced two fumbles.

Durant, an explosive player inside, intercepted a pass that led to a first-quarter field goal.

PSU’s big early lead — the Lions were up 36-3 midway through the third quarter — allowed the defensive coaches to get many backups in the game.

Penn State coach James Franklin on Monday offered his thoughts on the play of his D-line reserves and said veteran edge rusher Zuriah Fisher is close to a return. He did not play against Nevada.

“We were hopeful to have Zuriah,” Franklin said. “I will say this: We got to the game, and Zuriah was excited and wanted to play. We kinda held him just because, at that point, he hadn’t practiced enough and didn’t think that was the right thing to do for him or us.

“He’s close to being back, and that will be significant, getting him back.”

Franklin also said talented true freshman edge rusher Chaz Coleman, who played more than 20 reps, “did some really good things.”

“(Coleman) was kinda walking in with me, in the tunnel and (he) like, ‘Well, I’m glad I got that over with because I was nervous, and I don’t have to be nervous anymore,’ ” Franklin added.

On the inside, Franklin was pleased with Xavier Gilliam, Ty Blanding and Enai White.

“I thought Ty Blanding showed up a couple times, showing his athleticism and how explosive he is,” Franklin said of the redshirt sophomore.

“He’s a guy that we’re really excited about. He’s 295 pounds. He’s really fast. He’s really athletic. I think he’ll just continue to get better and better as the year goes on.”

White, who began his college career at Texas A&M, has been moved from end to tackle.

“I think we have found a home for Enai White,” Franklin said. “We’re pretty athletic at defensive end and so is Enai. But he’s 276 pounds right now, and he’s really not even trying to gain weight. It’s just kind of naturally where he is.

“I think if we can get him up to 285 by midseason, he’s going to be a really nice guy for us to factor into that rotation.”

Gilliam had been one of the buzz players in spring and preseason camp.

“He played the way we expected him to play,” Franklin said of Gilliam.