For Manny Diaz's Penn State Defense, One Last Ride in the Peach Bowl

Diaz called his defense "The Closers." The Lions seek to close that chapter right against Ole Miss.

ATLANTA | The "Closers" will convene again at the Peach Bowl, shepherding the Defense That Manny Diaz Built at Penn State one more time. That defense might look slightly different, with a few players missing and its interim coordinator in the booth, but its mission remains: to punctuate what Diaz started two years ago with a victory over Ole Miss.

"We’re the last of the Mohicians right here," Penn State defensive tackle Dvon Ellies said Thursday. "Even though he’s not here, we still want to pay our respects to him in a sense. He’s done a lot for us, and I think it’s only right to finish off at a high level like we always have."

Penn State's top-ranked defense rides one final time Saturday in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss, showcasing what Diaz created in his two seasons with the program. Diaz left in December to become Duke's head coach, though he returned to say a proper goodbye to his former players. That resonated with the Nittany Lions, who were reminded that not many coaches get (or take) the opportunity to say an in-person farewell to their former teams.

Diaz's defense was among the nation's best this season in a variety of statistical categories. It led the country in total defense, sacks and fewest first downs allowed. It ranked second in pass defense, run defense and turnovers gained. The Lions ranked third in scoring, shut out two opponents and placed 13 players on the All-Big Ten teams.

Said Ole Miss defensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., "top to bottom they're probably the most complete defense I've seen." High praise from a coordinator who coached against Georgia and Alabama this season.

As a result, Penn State isn't changing much defensively for the Peach Bowl. Interim coordinator Anthony Poindexter will coach from the press box, as he has his entire tenure at Penn State, and his co-coordinator (analyst Robb Smith) will assume Diaz's place on the sideline. Poindexter will continue that approach for consistency's sake. In fact, that's he keyword for the bowl game.

"Obviously we lost coach Manny, but we had a blueprint that he left for how we prepare our team," Poindexter said. "We're going to get our team ready to play and stick to it as close as we can. ... We're running the same plays. We ain't making up new ones."

Diaz had a nickname for his Penn State defensive players. He called them "The Closers" and used the term at halftime of every game. It was fitting, considering how shutdown Penn State was in the second half. Opposing teams scored a combined 55 second-half points against the Lions and just three in the third quarters. Penn State didn't allow a touchdown in the final two regular-season games.

"He always calls us The Closers; that’s who we have to be on defense," Ellies said. "That’s just what it is and that’s what it will continue to be. We’ll be The Closers, and that will be that."

Still, Penn State's defense might look a bit different in the Peach Bowl. Defensive end Chop Robinson has opted out, while starting cornerback Johnny Dixon has not been with the team in Atlanta. Poindexter referred a question about Dixon to head coach James Franklin, who has not yet spoken about Dixon's status.

Meanwhile, defensive starters Adisa Isaac, Curtis Jacobs and Daequan Hardy have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but will play Saturday against Ole Miss. Ellies said he will announce his decision after the game. Isaac said he would play "a good portion of the first half, for sure," while Jacobs volunteered for a full rotation. Hardy is looking forward to playing cornerback as well as nickelback as a final showcase for NFL scouts.

Meanwhile, Poindexter is the interim coordinator for his second bowl game. He guided a Penn State defense that was loaded with opt-outs in the 2022 Outback Bowl. Arkansas rushed for 353 yards in a 24-10 win. Penn State seeks to avoid a repeat, while Poindexter wants to balance Diaz's framework with his personal touch.

"The challenge is, coach Manny just had his own feel for how to call the game," Poindexter said. "Everybody has that different feel. You have to find your own feel."

Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach and Penn State's new defensive coordinator, has been a resource for Poindexter and the players over the 10 days. Poindexter called Allen "just a good person" who has been accessible for insight, and the departing players sensed a good vibe from Allen. "He's a great fit for the team," Hardy said.

Nevertheless, the Peach Bowl represents the last ride for Manny Diaz's Penn State defense. As a result, the Lions are playing for him while riding with Poindexter.

"I don’t worry about coach Dex," Ellies said. "I have full confidence in the way he operates within our defense, especially knowing how much he knows about coach Manny’s defense. I think it will be a well-called defense. ... But of course, it's coach Diaz's defense. He implemented it for a long time, and we're going to stick with that. The No. 1 defense in the country, and I think coach Dex is going to keep it very similar, and we'll operate at a high level."

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