Former walk-on DeLuca provides early spark, Penn State drills SMU 38-10 in CFP; Boise State up next
Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas returned interceptions for touchdowns and Penn State toyed with mistake-prone SMU in a 38-10 victory in the opening round of the College Football Playoff
By WILL GRAVES
Published - Dec 21, 2024, 06:01 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 21, 2024, 06:01 PM EST
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — In a time of incessant change, Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca is a throwback.
The former walk-on'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 on Saturday against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the Nittany Lions needed a jolt.
