Penn State football’s defensive line is preparing to face one of the toughest run games it’ll see all season.

Ohio State’s running back duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are coming to Happy Valley on Saturday with a ground game averaging 188 yards per game. That number dropped during the Buckeyes’ last performance against Nebraska when Ohio State only managed 64 yards rushing behind a banged-up offensive line.

With the status of the rotation on the offensive line up in the air going into Saturday, the Buckeyes could once again be at a disadvantage running the ball. Defensive end Abdul Carter, though, knows that the unit is still a tough group and is preparing for the Buckeye’s A-game on Saturday.

“It doesn’t really matter to me who’s out there,” Carter said after practice on Wednesday. “Whether it’s first-string, second-string, or third-string, we’re just going to line up.”

According to James Franklin, Judkins can be a threat running inside and on the perimeter while making a difference in the passing game.

The Nittany Lions faced Judkins last year in the Peach Bowl when the running back played for Ole Miss. Against a Penn State defense that was missing multiple key pieces, Judkins ran for 106 yards and added a touchdown through the air in the last meeting with Penn State.

“He’s been productive in the two best conferences in college football,” Franklin said. “He has our attention and our respect.”

With fellow edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton a game-time decision on Saturday, Carter may line up with either Coziah Izzard or Smith Vilbert as the other defensive ends come gameday.

Carter, who moved to the defensive line after playing linebacker during his first two years in Happy Valley, suffered a slow start to the season and recorded his first sack against Kent State, the third game in the 2024 campaign.

Since then, Carter has settled into the position. From the game against the Golden Flashes, Carter has racked up seven tackles-for-loss and three sacks. In total, Carter has 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks on the season.

“I’m still building and still getting better week by week, day by day,” Carter said. “Our coaches are still coming up with different ways to move me around even from week one to week nine.”

Along with seeing better results, Carter is enjoying the way he’s used on the field. Carter has switched sides and been moved around to different spots, which he feels gives him more of an edge against any offense.

Like Judkins is a focus for the group this week, Carter is often a focus for opposing offenses, which have begun to devote extra attention to the edge rusher. While the attention can make it tougher, Carter also took pride in having to be game-planned against.

While it might hinder Carter’s path to the quarterback, it opens up a lane for others.

“If you put extra attention on me, it’s just going to make it easier for the other guys,” Carter said. “You’re going to leave someone else one-on-one, and they’re going to win that one-on-one.”

While Carter said he was never frustrated through the first three games of the season with one sack, he’s enjoying the way he’s developed throughout the year.

Even through the emotions of a top-five rivalry matchup at home, Carter is focused on one thing: playing the opponent on Saturday.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,” Carter said. “Playing free on the edge, rushing the passer, and just doing what I do best.”