Which Penn State defense will show up Jan. 2 when James Franklin’s 10-2 Nittany Lions face 10-3 Utah in the Rose Bowl?

Will it be the one that was gouged for 418 rushing yards by unbeaten Michigan in the Wolverines’ 41-17 win over PSU in Ann Arbor on Oct. 15? The one that allowed 452 total yards to Ohio State in a 44-31 home loss a couple of weeks later?

Or will fans see the Penn State defense that shut down Auburn on the road in the third game of the season, holding the Tigers to two field goals through three quarters of a 41-12 victory? Or maybe the defense that allowed a total of 40 points in a 4-0 November?

“You all know this in college football because it’s such a narrative-based sport, but we reserve the right to improve as a defense,” Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said earlier this month.

Overall, the Lions’ key numbers on defense are tremendous. Diaz’s unit finished in the top 15 in FBS in the following categories: pass efficiency (second), red zone (sixth), scoring (tied for ninth), third-down conversion percentage (12th), rushing (14th) and total (15th).

But Penn State was not tested in November like it will be by a Utah offense that averaged 40 points per game. The Utes also averaged 220 rushing yards per contest and converted 49.7% of their third-down chances.

“They’re physical up front. They do a really good job of getting knock-back on the defensive line, creating holes for the running backs to find,” Penn State veteran defensive tackle PJ Mustipher said.

“Their running backs — we were watching film — they’re not going out of bounds. They’re going to try to run right over you. … When you as an offense, get in those third-and-short, second-and-medium (situations), you can run the ball, and it really puts a defense on their heels.”

Mustipher produced a major bounce-back season in 2022, returning from a 2021 lower-leg injury that cost him the second half of the year.

A team captain, Mustipher was voted second-team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season. His work inside is a major reason why the Lions allow an average of just 3.2 yards per rush.

Mustipher has an NFL future ahead of him, but he wanted to come back to show he was healthy again. He also wanted the program to put some distance behind last year’s 7-6 season.

“My main thing was to win ballgames and to help this club get back to where it’s supposed to be,” Mustipher said. “I want to finish that thing off, what we started (last) January. As far as me playing in the game, I want to help my team, I want to be out there and I want to lead.”

A younger Lion, defensive end Chop Robinson, was a standout in his first season after transferring from Maryland. A second-year player, Robinson totaled 8 1/2 tackles for loss (four sacks), two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

“Everybody’s excited for the Rose Bowl,” Robinson said. “We wanted more than that, but this is what we got for right now. Everybody’s excited. It’s a dream for everybody.”

Mustipher said Diaz’s impact during his first year at Penn State has helped transform the Lions into one of the most disruptive defenses in the Big Ten. Penn State registered 37 sacks and 82 pass breakups.

“Huge impact. You see it,” Mustipher said. “Our defense is playing at a high level. When you look at the numbers and how they stack up all across the country, we’re top in passing (defense) and we’re one of the top teams (against) the run.

“He’s done a tremendous job. I think the product you see on the field is important, but what he does in the meeting room, what he says to us prior to us taking the practice field and the game field, is just as important.”

Added Diaz: “I’m fortunate because of the players that I get to coach, and I think that’s been the most rewarding thing of the last 12 month. (It) is really getting to know our players, whether it was starting off at the (Outback) Bowl practices a year ago when I was kind of a fly on the wall and then going through winter workouts, going through spring practice.

“But you really don’t really get to know people until you go through the season. When the submarine dives down, you really get into it and it gets intense. You’re there every day … seeing the way that these guys go, the way these guys grind.”

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