How a former Penn State walk-on became the hero the Nittany Lions needed in CFP win vs. SMU
Penn State linebacker Dom DeLuca sat by five of his teammates during Saturday’s postgame press conference, where he remained stone-faced while they waxed poetic on how much he’s meant to these Nittany Lions.
Defensive end Abdul Carter said he does everything right. Linebacker Tony Rojas complimented his positive attitude and work ethic. And that came after head coach James Franklin spent more than 90 seconds praising the former walk-on as a “baller” who “works his tail off.”
But DeLuca remained stoic through it all, even after a career-high two-interception performance and a pick-six that put the first points on the board in the College Football Playoff victory. It wasn’t until a reporter joked about his history as a high school quarterback where the businesslike DeLuca finally cracked a smile.
Have you offered the offense your services as a backup (QB)?
“Yeah, I have told (Drew Allar) — I think, a couple times — if he needs me to step in for him, I’m here,” DeLuca said with a grin, leaning forward to make eye contact with Allar.
DeLuca and these Nittany Lions are having fun now, going further than any Penn State team since the days of coaching legend Joe Paterno pacing the sideline. But it was DeLuca who ignited the defense Saturday, and it was the defense that sparked the team.
And that didn’t seem lost on the Nittany Lions, about a half-hour after clinching the 38-10 win over SMU in the first round of the CFP.
“In this game specifically, they definitely got us going,” Allar said about the defense. “Obviously, like you said, we didn’t have a great start offensively. To be going up 14-0 and, offensively, we really didn’t do anything up to that point was huge.”
Added defensive coordinator Tom Allen: “(Dom) is a guy that has come up big for us. He’s been so consistent each and every week. I’m just so proud of him. He deserves all the credit he gets.”
DeLuca first got the crowd of 106,013 in Beaver Stadium jumping about midway through the first quarter. On second-and-10 from SMU’s own 20, quarterback Kevin Jennings threw off his back foot — perhaps due to some pressure up the middle — and sailed his pass over the intended receiver and right into the sprinting arms of DeLuca, who raced for a 23-yard pick-six to give PSU the early 7-0 lead.
Two drives later, Rojas responded with a 59-yard pick-six of his own. It was the first time in more than a quarter century where the Nittany Lions returned two interceptions for scores in the same game. The last time was Nov. 28, 1998, against Michigan State, thanks to efforts from David Macklin and Anthony King.
“I believe, truly believe, that we are the best defense in the country by far,” added defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas.
Not one to be outdone, DeLuca grabbed his second interception another two drives later — when the Mustangs were just 7 yards shy of Penn State’s end zone. The Nittany Lions then responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive to go up 21-0.
Coming into Saturday’s playoff game, DeLuca — who has 43 games under his belt — boasted just three career interceptions. The former walk-on, who was awarded a scholarship in January 2023, moved into a starting role this year after making a living on special teams.
To some, that might’ve meant DeLuca was an unlikely hero Saturday. But, to his teammates, it seemed he was more like an inevitable hero.
“He always does his job at 100%, always in the right position,” Carter said. “He does everything right, and he makes plays on the field because of that. All of it shows.”
DeLuca believed his time as a high school quarterback allowed him to better read opposing offenses in college. And his teammates believe his toughness gives him an edge; as a high school senior, he played on a torn ACL and led his team to a 21-14 comeback win in the state championship.
The soft-spoken Pennsylvania native grew up as a Penn State fan who dreamed of one day running through the tunnel in the south end zone. And, on Saturday, he was the unofficial MVP in one of the most important games that Beaver Stadium has ever hosted.
Has he thought about how special this was?
“Not really,” DeLuca said, again stoic and serious.
“I’m just trying to celebrate with my brothers, going 1-0 each week.”
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 5:15 PM with the headline "How a former Penn State walk-on became the hero the Nittany Lions needed in CFP win vs. SMU."
