For the fifth time in the last six games, Penn State football’s defense has forced an interception. This week, it was Audavion Collins, Tony Rojas, and Dejuan Lane who recorded picks in the Nittany Lions’ 44-7 victory over Maryland.

It was the first multiple-interception game for Penn State since its week two victory over Bowling Green, the first three-interception game since September 2023 against Illinois, and it was Collins and Lane’s first career interceptions.

Maryland started the game with a lead in the turnover battle after Nick Singleton fumbled on his own 25-yard line. A play later, MJ Morris found Kaden Prather in the corner of the end zone for the early 7-0 lead.

However, the Nittany Lion offense found their groove, scoring 24 points on the next six offensive drives and adding another touchdown after Morris threw his first interception of the game to Collins at the Maryland 46-yard line.

“It was crazy just catching it because I was supposed to have one in the Purdue and Washington game, and I got robbed so when this one came, it was big. One of my dreams came true,” Collins said after the win. “When I saw the formation and when I saw the splits, I was like ‘Oh yeah, this is it.'”

“He’s been talking about that pick since the ones he dropped,” safety Jaylen Reed added.

On the next Maryland drive, the Terrapins had their best field position of the game since recovering the fumble on the opening possession. It took four plays to drive to Penn State’s 34-yard line and threaten to chip away at the lead. Morris was 3-for-3 passing for 37 yards until he looked over the middle and found linebacker Rojas for the interception.

“I told [my teammates] I was going to get one this week, and it happened,” Rojas said.

In the fourth quarter, Morris threw his third interception of the game to the true freshman Lane, who returned it 54 yards to the Maryland 13-yard line. The turnover set up fellow freshman Tyseer Denamark’s first career touchdown reception as the clock hit zeros.

“That was big, and he’s a freshman too. I was excited for him. Happy for him,” Collins said.

Over the past six games, Penn State has eight picks, three of which belonged to Reed. Even with his own turnovers, he was still excited to watch the younger players get their turn.

“It’s just cool seeing them guys actually put the work in and get to the point that they’re making big plays in big-time moments,” Reed said.

Penn State’s win over Maryland clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship against Oregon next Saturday. It will be the first time since the Rose Bowl in 1995 that the two teams play each other and it will be the first time since 2016 that the Nittany Lions play for the conference title.

“I give props to the veterans. They’ve worked their butts off since they got to campus and just for us to be here, I feel very happy for them and they deserve it,” Rojas said.

As for the Mississippi State transfer Collins, he said this was the reason why he chose to play for Penn State and said he has bigger expectations in mind for this season.

“Natty,” Collins said bluntly. “Knowing Penn State was always going to be a winning team and just coming here, I knew we were going to win and I want to help and be a part to win a Big Ten [Championship] and a natty.”