Abdul Carter is Penn State’s best playmaker on defense, the guy who makes spectacular things look routine.
Carter, however, is just as proud of doing the little things to help the Nittany Lions’ defense succeed.
“You don’t have to be Superman,” he said. “You don’t always have to make the big play. You don’t have to be the guy who makes every play. Sometimes the play is going to come to you and you just have to do your job.
“If I do the little things and do my job 100%, I look like Superman without trying to be Superman.”
Carter has been super this year, leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss and being named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week.
He’s a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, which are presented to the nation’s best defensive player. He’s also a finalist for the Lombardi Award, presented to the nation’s best offensive or defensive lineman.
The 6-3, 252-pound Carter is on the minds of No. 1 Oregon (12-0), which faces No. 3 Penn State (11-1) for the Big Ten championship Saturday night at 8 (TV-CBS) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“He wreaks havoc,” Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel said. “He’s a disruptive player. He’s extremely physical, but I also think his ability to go from physical to finesse and his speed is pretty impressive.
“We’re aware of him and aware of all 11 guys. Them allowing him to play his game has allowed him to have success.”
With Carter leading the way, the Lions rank in the top 10 nationally in total defense (fourth), scoring defense (sixth), rushing defense (seventh) and passing defense (seventh).
Penn State opponents have paid extra attention to the former high school standout at La Salle in Philadelphia, which has freed his teammates to make stops.
“Teams have to game-plan for Abdul in terms of chippers or sending a (blocking) slide that way,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said. “When you have a player like him that teams need to focus on, that means they’re weaker in other places. We’re able to create opportunities off that.
“He’s been an integral part of our success as a defensive line this year.”
Carter’s accomplishments are remarkable considering he’s in his first season at defensive end after playing linebacker his first two years at Penn State. He came on strong in November by making 10 of his 19.5 tackles for loss and six of his 10 sacks despite often fighting off two blockers.
“I just have to keep doing my job,” he said. “I can’t get discouraged. At some point in the game, I’m going to get a one-on-one opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it. The plays are going to come.”
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is one of Carter’s classmates. They’ve faced each other in practice many times, especially these last two seasons when Allar has started. He credits Carter for helping him be more aware in the pocket.
“It’s really beneficial for me to go against a guy like Abdul,” Allar said. “You don’t see many D-ends who have the type of explosiveness he has or who are as twitchy as he is in open space. It’s really impressive to go against him.
“He makes me better. I can’t be drifting or setting up our O-linemen to be in a bad position. He definitely prepared me for this whole year.”
Carter is widely projected as a top-10 draft pick next year, so it’s likely that he’s playing his final games in college. He wants to make an even more lasting impression at Penn State with his performances Saturday and in the College Football Playoff.
“I’m focused on the season right now,” he said. “I’m focused on the next game. We have the Big Ten championship and the playoffs after that. Everything concerning the NFL will be there later.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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