Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Pregame Quote, 12/27/2024

Q. Coach [Tom] Allen talked about an underrated aspect of the Boise State offense is their quarterback [Maddux Madsen], his ability to distribute and make plays. Coming off of a game where you were going against a quarterback in Kevin Jennings that prided himself on extending plays, how does that bolster your confidence going into the Fiesta Bowl?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: Really just doing our job. Coming down to the end of the day, their quarterback fits well in their system. Us doing our job at a high level, getting pressure on him, making him leave the pocket, putting him in situations where he has to throw the ball, it’s just going to help us out.

Q. We’ve talked to other guys on defense, talked to Coach [Tom] Allen, and they all talk about your unselfishness and your willingness to do anything. Where does that come from? How would you describe your role on the team? Kobe [King] just called you a mini Tyler Warren on defense.

DOMINIC DeLUCA: I would say it’s from my parents. They always told me that you’ve got to be a team player and you’ve got to do what’s best for the team. If that’s being a water boy, I will the best water boy in the country. If they want me to play D-line, I’ll play D-line. If they want me to play safety, I’ll play safety.

Just being able to have that relationship with the defense. They understand I’m going to do my job. I may not make the play, but I’m happy for my brothers that do make the play. That’s really what it comes down to at the end of the day. As long as we win the game, I’ll do whatever I need to do.

Q. If you could testify in front of a college football hearing or something like that about the value and the impact walk-ons have in college football and have had over the years, what would you want them to know about your story? What would you want to tell them?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: Walk-ons are the backbone of college football I would say. You wouldn’t be able to have practice squads or even get some looks each week because it’s so hard to have that many guys on the team at once. Having the walk-ons being able to do that, it helps us a lot. They do so much, not just for the practice squad, but just having that relationship with everyone. Those guys are just happy to be on the team.

They’re not just here to play football, they’re here to live out their dream and be a part of the culture of Penn State football or whatever respective team they’re on. Just being able to do that, it’s a huge honor for us.

Q. I wanted to ask about Stacy Collins, the Boise State special teams coach. I know special teams was a big part of your early career at Penn State. What was he like as a coach? How much did you enjoy getting to play for him? Now you have an opportunity to play against him on Tuesday.

DOMINIC DeLUCA: Coach Collins was my guy. We had a great relationship, just being able to talk with him. We would go eat at his house, being able to meet his family. We had a good relationship. He decided to move on and do better things, and I’m excited for him. I’m happy for him, and I’m proud for him. Being able to go against him this week, I’m excited to play against him.

Q. In going against a guy like Ashton Jeanty, obviously, wrapping up and tackling is essential. How do you think this defense has done with that just generally through the first 14 games of the season?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: We struggled a little bit sometimes, but offense always had our back on those days, and then sometimes we’ll have the offense’s back, vice versa. Just being able to play as a team is huge for us. Just as a defense perspective, I feel like we just play, do our job at a high level, wrap up, make a tackle, even hold them up and let the gang come, and let the whole team, all 11 players, run to the football. That’s going to be huge for us. As long as everyone gets to the football, I think we’ll have a great game.

Q. In what ways has Jaylen Reed made other guys on the defense better? In what ways has he made you better?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: I was talking to Coach [Dan] Connor about this not too long ago. I feel like Jaylen Reed is one of the smartest guys on our team. Just the way he understands the game, it’s crazy. He knows the play before it’s even ran. And we communicate a lot on that and seeing what we see from different perspectives. Being back at safety, you’re going to see it differently than seeing it up front. And just being able to communicate, we’re helping each other, making each other better, and making each other play faster. Just having him being able to play off each other, I mean, that’s huge.

Q. Obviously the season is not done yet, and I’m not sure how much or little you guys reflected in the midst of this whole thing. But what is maybe the moment or the play or plays that you’re going to remember most so far this season?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: There’s a couple. But I would say Minnesota was a good play. I would say that that pick, that really just started the momentum for the whole defense. Just for turnovers and even for myself to have that confidence to keep on playing, keep on doing your job. You never know when it’s going to pay off. I feel like that’s everyone’s mindset right now, just doing their job at a high level, and just let the plays come to you.

Q. To follow up on your answer to my first question, you said that Penn State has struggled at times with wrapping up. What do you think has led to those struggles? How much do you think that aspect has improved over the season?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: I would say just stopping our feet on contact. We practiced it a lot the last couple of weeks. Just being able to do that day in and day out. It doesn’t matter what game and who we’re playing, just being able to keep your feet on contact, wrap up, and run through whoever is running the ball. That’s going to be huge for us.

Q. Dom, obviously this is game 15 for you guys. What kind of physical and mental toll has it taken on you? Has it been an issue at all for you or for other guys, the length of the season?

DOMINIC DeLUCA: I wouldn’t say it’s been an issue. But everyone has those bumps and bruises going through, what, 15 games in a season. It’s not easy. You’re obviously playing at a high level, playing at a physical level. It’s going to happen. And just everyone taking care of their bodies.

After practice, the ice tubs are so hard to get into because everyone is in there trying to get their body recovered for the next week. I feel like that’s a good problem to have as a team. Everyone is on the recovery train and just being able to do that.