You would have to go back a long time to find the last season where Penn State had as bad a turnover margin as they compiled in 2020. The Nittany Lions are putting in work this spring to make sure that won’t happen again. Jonathan Sutherland, who could be preparing to tie down a starting job in the Penn State secondary out of the spring, explained how the defense is focusing on creating more turnovers this spring.
During a video conference with the media on Wednesday, Sutherland mentioned players like Tariq Castro-Fields as a player that has been making the ball pop this spring.
Penn State safety Jonathan Sutherland highlights Tariq Castro-Fields, Parker Washington & Malick Meiga as teammates who have made big plays in recent spring practices. Castro-Fields leads the defense in takeaways, Sutherland said.
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) April 14, 2021
Forcing turnovers has been a theme for the defense all spring. As Sutherland explained, the team is working through “ball disruption” drills each spring practice. and according to Sutherland, that exercise seems to be paying off.
Sutherland said Penn State has a period for "ball disruption" each day in practice with the goal of generating more turnovers.
Sutherland thinks they're starting to see results there.
— David Eckert (@davideckert98) April 14, 2021
Penn State forced nine turnovers last season as a team, putting them around the middle of the Big Ten in turnovers gained. But the Nittany Lions had a dreadful team turnover margin of -8, their worst in over a decade. While the defense can’t be blamed for the offense coughing up the football, being able to get the ball right back in the hands of Sean Clifford and the Penn State offense can certainly come in handy.
Penn State did a much better job in forcing turnovers in 2019. The Nittany Lions forced 22 turnovers, with 12 fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions.
Sutherland also took a moment to reflect on last season and share what he took away from the experience, highlighting the ability of the team to come together through various forms of adversity.
I asked #PennState Safely Jonathan Sutherland on what he took away from last season going into this year@NittanyLionWire pic.twitter.com/6WSles1GVt
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) April 14, 2021
Sutherland says Penn State will continue to build off the foundation of their combined experiences from 2020.
#PennState Jonathan Sutherland on what they can Build off from Last year going into the 2021 season @NittanyLionWire pic.twitter.com/c1CbsPLOLl
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) April 14, 2021
Jonathan Sutherland said that their mentality is not changing that they want to go 1-0 every week, a mantra instilled in the program by head coach James Franklin.
Penn State wraps up spring practices this Saturday in Beaver Stadium.
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2021 Penn State Nittany Lions Profile Card: Jonathan Sutherland
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