DeLuca’s big day helps put PSU in quarters

Dominic DeLuca responded to the biggest day of his college football career with his most productive game as a Nittany Lion.

DeLuca scored the first points ever for Penn State in the College Football Playoff, leading an early defensive dominance that carried the Lions to a 38-10 rout of visiting Southern Methodist University at Beaver Stadium.

The Wyoming Area graduate had two interceptions and shared in a sack during the first half while Penn State was taking a 28-0 lead.

The Lions used the victory to advance to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona New Year’s Eve at 5:30 p.m. for the national quarterfinal against third-seeded Boise State.

DeLuca was one of four Penn State players with at least five tackles, two of which were solo stops.

The Lions defense produced the first two touchdowns, each on a pick six.

The Penn State pass rush helped DeLuca get in position to step in front of a pass and race down the right sideline for a 23-yard score and a 7-0 lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter.

DeLuca, who returned an interception for a touchdown against Delaware last season, followed up a 59-yard interception return by Tony Rojas early in the second quarter. DeLuca tipped, then picked off a pass for Penn State’s third interception of the game and his third in the last four outings.

The second DeLuca interception led to the first Penn State offensive touchdown of the day, a 25-yard run by Kaytron Allen five minutes before halftime.

Penn State cruised from there on the way to the 100th win of James Franklin’s career in State College and a tie for the program record for victories. The Lions are 12-2, reaching a dozen wins for the fourth time in history and first time in 30 years.

“I love Dom and (his) mom and dad,” Franklin said. “I think he’s a tremendous example for all of our players on the team. Always has a smile on his face. He works his tail off. … He’s done whatever role we’ve asked him to do, and he’s done it 100 miles per hour. … He’s awesome.”