UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- J.T. Barrett and Brian Lewerke each were able to pick apart the Penn State defense and after both games the focus was put back on Penn State's inability to rush the passer.
Whether the Lions sent four, five or six defenders they struggled to make both quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket and while the Lions' strength as a defense comes from their depth, as that's dwindled so too have the results. Torrence Brown is lost for the season with an injury he sustained in September and Ryan Buchholz, who stepped in to start for Brown, exited the Ohio State game on crutches and didn't make the trip to East Lansing last weekend.
"Obviously whenever you lose two starters on the one position, that's a challenge. Losing Brown and now you lose Buchholz, that's a challenge," James Franklin said Tuesday. "We can't say we don't miss those guys, saying that would not be truthful. Hopefully we'll get Buch back here sooner than later."
So, the fact that Buchholz hasn't been ruled out for the season is good news for the Lions, but in the interim they have to continue to roll with what they have, which is starter Shareef Miller playing an increasingly high amount of snaps per game, while tackle-turned end Kevin Givens continues holding down the other side with contributions from speed rusher Shaka Toney, redshirt freshman Shane Simmons and true freshman Yetur Gross-Matos.
"I think Kevin Givens brings value there, but obviously he doesn't have nearly the accumulated reps at the defensive end that he does at defensive tackle," Franklin said. "The more experience he gains there, and the more way to develop some of the younger guys, that will be helpful because we are missing those two guys right now, there's no doubt about that."
The injuries created less than ideal situations for the Lions' healthy ends and in order for Miller to be most effective his snap count should be lowered. Penn State hasn't been shy under this regime to play 10 or 11 defensive linemen per game and getting back to that model will only happen if and when the health improves.
Whether or not Buchholz will be able to suit up Saturday afternoon for the Lions' homecoming game against Rutgers remains to be seen.
"Our model has been at its best when we're able to rotate those guys and keep them fresh, fresh, as you guys have heard me say inspect the fourth quarter or fresh late in the season, but also injury prevention," Franklin said. "If you're playing 65 plays you have a chance of spraining an ankle or pulling a muscle or whatever it may be. So that's part of it, as well. ... That's why getting some of these guys back would be really helpful for us."
While he's well on his way to a redshirt and thus won't factor in this season, Franklin did have an update on freshman defensive lineman Damion Barber. Barber was a late arrival after clearing some academic hurdles back at Harrisburg High School this summer and reported to campus during the Lions' fall camp. Then, he wasn't healthy as Franklin noted earlier this season so Barber is still getting caught up on college and all that college football entails.
Listed at 6-3, 245 pounds, Franklin said Barber is actually around 270 pounds and could project either as a tackle or end.
"We'll see just how he continues to grow and develop," Franklin said. "He's a conscientious kid. I think this has been a huge adjustment for him. Obviously losing that time in the summer, that's hard, because football, if you don't come in the summer you have to adjust academically, athletically and socially all at once."