Penn State opened the season with a 46-11 win over Nevada in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions did exactly what they needed to, controlling the game, and finding success in each aspect.
The defense was lights out, allowed just 203 total yards, forcing three turnovers and earning a sack. Nevada scored 11 points, but eight of those were in the final 30 seconds of the blowout game.
Following the game, head coach James Franklin gave out three game balls. One went to defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who accomplished a feat with his performance that hadn't been done since Micah Parsons in 2019.
Is Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State's next great edge rusher?
Dennis-Sutton isn't some nobody that all of a sudden broke out on Saturday. He's a senior who's played all three years at Penn State, it's just been along with other stars who've gotten the recognition.
The Nittany Lions' defender had played in 42 games throughout his career and collected 85 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and four forced fumbles coming into 2025. He's just had other greats overshadowing him, whether it be Chop Robinson or Abdul Carter, who are both in the NFL now.
"He's extremely strong. He's quicker and faster than people realize. He's a well rounded defensive end. And there's some guys across the country that are great pass rushers. There's some guys that are good against the run," Franklin said. "He could do both. He's a unique guy. He's going to have a big time year.
"He is hungry, he is motivated, he is driven. He wants to be great. A lot of guys say they want to be great. This guy eats, sleeps and dreams, you know, football, and wants to be special."
Dennis-Sutton displayed exactly that in Saturday's season opener. He collected five tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack, pass breakup, quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles.
#PSU EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton picked right up where he left off in the CFP last year. Explosive first step, disruptive as a run defender and pass rusher. Had 2 forced fumbles and active with a couple of other pressures along with a sack. pic.twitter.com/S6a5TrhtmZ
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) August 31, 2025
Dennis-Sutton became the first Nittany Lion to force two fumbles in a game since Micah Parsons in 2019.
"It was crazy," linebacker Amare Campbell said (h/t 247sports.com). "It was crazy to see. You always see it in practice, but to see it in real life, in real time, it was crazy to see."
Penn State has seen edge rushers drafted in the first round of the last two NFL drafts, could Dennis-Sutton be the next? The senior defensive lineman certainly started his farewell season on a strong note.