STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — In a time of incessant change for college sports, Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca is a throwback.
The former walk-on player’s team might be one, too.
DeLuca was guaranteed nothing when he arrived on campus nearly four years ago without the promise of a scholarship or much of anything else. He poured himself into his craft, carving out a niche as a special teams ace while working his way into the rotation on a defense that considers itself the best in the country.
With sixth-seeded Penn State off to a somewhat jittery start Saturday afternoon against 11th-seeded SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the Nittany Lions needed a jolt.
DeLuca provided two with a pair of interceptions.