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LB Jonathon Cooper (2nd Team All American, Denver Broncos)





Cooper was only credited with five tackles and a half-sack, to which he responded, “That’s all? That’s all they gave me? Dang. I need more.”

Stats aside, Cooper was in Penn State's backfield all night, flushing Clifford into other Buckeyes' arms and being a major disruption all night. His Week 2 play in a 38-25 win was the exact type of performance the fifth-year defensive end envisioned for himself when he made the return for what is likely his final season in Columbus. It’s exactly why he was so emotional on that late November night against the Wolverines. And it’s exactly why he gave that impassioned speech in August where he talked about the “easy sacrifices” he’s made to have a fall season and pleaded for his teammates to do the same.

“I would say this one feels special, just being out there with my brothers, honestly,” Cooper said. “I feel like I’ve always had that in me. You guys haven’t really seen me play football in a year so it’s kind of hard for me to say that. I feel like just the environment, Penn State, the way our coaches had us prepared and ready took my game to the level that it was supposed to be.”

When he wasn’t harassing Sean Clifford and helping Ohio State hold him to a total of five yards rushing on 18 attempts, including five total sacks (including three by nose tackle Tommy Togiai), Cooper thought it was his presence on the sidelines and his voice that served most valuable. As a captain is wont to do.

“I really don’t think it was a play, per se,” Cooper said when asked what he thought was his best individual play of the game. “I feel like my leadership showed a lot tonight, just speaking for my defense and getting them ready to go. I feel like my leadership throughout the whole entire game was my best performance, honestly, regardless of what I did on the field. I feel like getting my guys going and making sure that they’re still in the game and still into it is what I do best.”
 
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