Penn State’s Anthony Zettel Shines Through Tragedy
Anthony Zettel has proven to so many why he’s being considered a late first round pick. Through all the hype and football, he faced a much bigger struggle that few could ever imagine. A day before Zettel and the Penn State Nittany Lions took on San Diego State at home, the defensive lineman learned he had lost his father to a lengthy battle with cancer. Anthony’s father, Terry, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer while recovering from a major automobile injury. Terry Zettel battled for 18 months, all while scheduling his treatments around his son’s games.
On Saturday, Anthony decided to play, with his family watching in-house. The entire Zettel family decided to drive from Michigan to Beaver Stadium to watch the defensive lineman just hours after his fathers passing.
To the delight of the Zettel family and Penn State fans everywhere, Anthony Zettel continued his dominating presence for the Nittany Lions. In Penn State’s 37-21 victory over the Aztecs, Zettel finished with (a seasons best) seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, a broken up pass, and half a sack. Not a bad day for a young defensive lineman facing personal tragedy.
Zettel will travel home with his family following this afternoon’s game.
The senior Zettel was not the only Penn State defensive lineman to impress in their third consecutive home win of the season. Former walk on Carl Nassib continued his breakout performance with two sacks and a forced fumble. Three hundred and twenty-three pound lineman Austin Johnson recovered one of the defenses forced fumbles and returned it 71-yards for a big-boy touchdown.
Penn State DL Austin Johnson may be 323 pounds, but that didn't stop him from returning a fumble 71 yards for a TD.http://t.co/LdWDPUXSZZ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 26, 2015
Quarterbakc Christian Hackenberg threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, despite loosing two of his biggest weapons. After scoring a touchdown, true freshman Saquon Barkley suffered a lower-body injury. Barkley has become a star at the running back position for Penn State and his presence was missed.
"Saquon Barkley, are you kidding me? (via @PennStateOnBTN) http://t.co/AjVTopwGnj— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 26, 2015"
Running back Akeel Lynch also suffered an injury, and the outcome does not look good for the Penn State starter. Chris Godwin and Mark Allen had the two other receiving touchdowns from Hackenberg.
The 3-1 Penn State team will continue its’ five game homestead with Army coming to town next week.