In the beginning, Penn State football struggled against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were having their way, as running backs Darius Taylor and Marcus Major were making gains, while quarterback Max Brosmer and wide receiver Daniel Jackson were connecting for big play after big play.

Despite Minnesota’s success at times, the Nittany Lions clawed back, stayed in the game, and ultimately won a 26-25 nailbiter in Minneapolis’s Huntington Bank Stadium.

Two turnovers were critical in securing the victory, as both led to field goals. Linebacker Dom DeLuca picked off Brosmer in the second quarter. Then, Zakee Wheatley recovered a fumble short of midfield in the third quarter. Would Penn State have won such a close game if those didn’t happen?

“I went to go fit the gap and saw it was a play-action pass,” DeLuca said. “I went to turn and find a receiver in my zone. A receiver came to my zone and I was able to flip my hips around me. Amin Vanover got a huge rush on the quarterback and was able to affect the pass, and I was able to make a play.”

That was DeLuca’s first interception of the season and the third of his career. DeLuca is a team captain despite not being a starter, but his ability to make a read separates him from others. On the other hand, Wheatley was forced into a starting job after K.J. Winston suffered a long-term injury against Bowling Green in September. Despite this, the redshirt junior has made a positive impact on and off the field, which has impressed his teammates.

“He’s grown a lot. It’s mainly more off the field in terms of play recognition. Stuff like that helps him play fast, growing as a player and an individual,” safety Jaylen Reed said. “Good things for his future. I’m happy for him.”

In addition to forcing two turnovers, Penn State had nine tackles for loss. Seven of those came against Taylor and Major.

The Nittany Lions knew what the running backs brought to the table. Defensive lineman Smith Vilbert described Taylor as “shifty” earlier in the week, and his ability to make big plays by being just that was on display throughout the game. Taylor led Minnesota in rushing yards but only had 58.

The tackles for loss disrupted the Golden Gophers throughout the game. Zane Durant, who leads Penn State with 8.5, led the team again today with 2.5.

“It’s very important,” Durant said. “They pride themselves on their run game, so that was a key part of this game to set the tone for.”

“Very important, especially with this team,” Reed echoed. “They had the running back, Darius Taylor, great player. And having tackles for loss and causing havoc like that early is a good thing for us.”

Taylor, a sophomore, averaged 4.8 yards per carry entering the game. Penn State held him to 3.4

Taylor’s play is consistent with the Golden Gophers gradually having fewer rushing yards as the game went on. They started with 48 in the first quarter, then 36 in the second. They had 24 in the third, then -2 in the fourth. This was, in large part, due to halftime adjustments. Tom Allen emphasized stopping the run, finishing, and the team playing its own game.

DeLuca said that ability to read gaps and knowing when to fall back were emphasized at halftime.

“I feel like we did that at a high level, especially in the second half. Kobe King did a huge job, as well as Tony Rojas,” DeLuca said.

“We weren’t causing a lot of havoc in the first half. Minnesota was having its way. We had to flip that switch and get it back in our favor,” Reed said.

While Penn State’s offense struggled initially, the defense played its part by keeping the game within reach and generating turnovers, which James Franklin emphasized the importance of earlier in the week. This was especially important against the Golden Gophers, who were tied for the sixth-best turnover margin entering the game.

Keeping games close and generating turnovers is something the group has done before in tight away games against USC and Wisconsin, and it’s crucial in high-stakes games on the road.

“We’re battle-tested,” DeLuca said. “It’s not the first time we were down at halftime on the road.”