Defensive linemen make QBs uneasy

Penn State’s Aaron Maybin is the Big Ten’s leader in sacks and tackles for losses.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Maybin couldn’t stop moving during his first meeting as a Penn State Nittany Lion, running around a room at the football building in shorts and a T-shirt in front of his calm teammates.

It was a sign of things to come. The Big Ten’s leader in sacks (nine) and tackles for losses (12.5) has mellowed out a bit off the field, reserving that energy for chasing down opposing quarterbacks.

“He’s a little more relaxed in meetings now,” defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu said, chuckling while recalling the story about Maybin. “He’s older now, so he understands when to turn it on and turn it off.”

Maybin’s motor, along with the play of Ogbu and their fellow linemen gives No. 3 Penn State (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) a stout front on one of the nation’s top defenses.

Those early season headlines about the off-field shenanigans by several current and former linemen have disappeared; these guys now make news with their play.

“The credit goes to the defensive line as a whole,” said Maybin, a third-year sophomore. “If we didn’t have guys on the inside to push the pocket, I wouldn’t be able to get as many sacks as I’ve been able to get.”

Last week, the Nittany Lions pushed aside and ran by Wisconsin’s brawny offensive line, and two weeks ago frustrated Purdue’s pass-happy offense.

The 6-foot-4 Maybin leads the charge. He has the lean body of a linebacker, though any perceived lack of brawn has been made up by speed around the edge.

Tackles Ogbu, Jared Odrick and Abe Koroma get push up the middle. Ends Maurice Evans — who had a team-high 12.5 sacks last season — and Josh Gaines have the ability to get to the QB from the opposite side of Maybin.

Throw in the play of Navorro Bowman, an emerging force at linebacker, and the Nittany Lions have athleticism up front that can cause headaches for offensive coordinators.

The ability to pressure the quarterback without blitzing allows more defenders to drop back in pass coverage, which might be more important these days given that more teams are playing the spread on offense — like Michigan (2-4, 1-1), Penn State’s opponent this weekend.

“They’re going to be a tough line to go against. They’re big in the middle. They got a lot of speed on the outside,” said Wolverines right tackle Stephen Schilling, who would be matched up against Maybin.

“We’re going to have our hands full,” Schilling said. “But I think it’s manageable.”

The Nittany Lions’ coaches emphasize the need to “play fast,” though defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said that’s a function of both speed and experience.

“The right defense played by the wrong guys isn’t better than the wrong defense played by the right guys,” Bradley said.

Last month, the exact number of guys Bradley would have available to rotate on the line was the biggest concern.

Chris Baker and Phil Taylor, both starters last year, were kicked off the team before preseason started.