Lions' defense focused on keeping pace with Hoosiers' tempo

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's defense is so focused on keeping pace with Indiana's back-breaking tempo that the Nittany Lions' scout teams are exaggerating just how quickly the Hoosiers reel off play after play.

"It's just all about reps, getting a lot of reps at the tempo speed," cornerback Christian Campbell said on Wednesday. "We make practice harder than the game, and we've been getting a lot of reps for tempo this week and been working on it. Coach [Franklin] makes it harder than the game, so we'll be ready for the game."

Penn State is pushing the tempo so much that the Lions are using two scout teams, shuttling one off the field while the other lines up to churn out another play. James Franklin said after Wednesday night's practice that it's difficult to simulate the tempo in practice, so they worked to mix the plans up at practice by using a tempo period rather than working the two-minute drill like they normally would.