Penn State Football: 5 players who earned game balls vs. Northwestern

While it may be a bit passe to give a helmet sticker to a coach, the entire Nittany Lions defense played exceptionally well in Week 6, as they have all season, and a lot of their success has to be attributed to Brent Pry’s tutelage.

After taking over the Nittany Lions’ defense when former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop left the program for the greener pastures of Tennessee in 2016, Pry has helped to maintain Penn State’s status as one of the best defenses in the entire nation, a trend that I don’t foresee ending anytime soon.

And arguably the most impressive feat the 2017 Nittany Lions have accomplished so far this season is their scoreless streak in the first quarter.

Over the first six weeks of the season, no opposing team has found the end zone in the first 15 minutes of play, with the Nittany Lions ultimately outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 76-0 in the first quarter.

Impressive stuff.

With only one more truly prolific offense left on the Nittany Lions’ regular season schedule in 2017, in the form of a road trip to the Shoe to face off against arch-rivals Ohio State, Penn State’s defense has a chance to be something truly special this season, and could very well return to top defensive form just in time for the college football playoff.

And you know the saying: offenses sell tickets, but defenses win championships.

If the Nittany Lions are again able to keep their Week 8 opponents, the Michigan Wolverines, out of the end zone during the first quarter, expect Pry name to start entering conversations for job openings in the offseason.