Technically, Daequan Hardy doesn’t even start on defense. At least, not always.

But Penn State’s “nickel” defensive back, or slot corner, or whatever you want to call him, is an equal partner with the other 4 mainstays in the best secondary to call Happy Valley home in a long, long time. Maybe ever.

Penn State bolstered its national defensive rep with its shutout of Indiana on Saturday night in front of 105,951 at a striped out Beaver Stadium, and Hardy made one of the biggest plays to preserve the whitewash.

Late in the third quarter, Hardy draped himself all over Javon Swinton and raked the ball away from the Indiana receiver the second it arrived, an end-zone breakup on a third-down play.

The ABC broadcast crew mentioned that it looked like there was “a lot of contact” on the play. Hardy was, indeed, practically in Swinton’s jersey, but replay showed that Hardy blanketed the receiver without pushing, grabbing or turning him.

On the ensuing play, linebacker Brandon Smith and/or DE Arnold Ebiketie blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt. Indiana never threatened to score again, and ended up being shut out for the first time since Oct. 14, 2000.

Hardy’s play typifies how Penn State’s defensive backs cover: tightly, aggressively, right up to the brink of pass interference. Coaches Anthony Poindexter (safeties) and Terry M. Smith (corners) deserve a ton of credit, because their guys really can’t play much better than they already are. They’re maxing out on effort, athleticism and smarts.

“I believe our confidence is through the roof,” Hardy said in the postgame media session. “We’ve been playing together and trying to play as one, and I think that’s been the key. We communicate and are just sticking together.”

Football is in a “let ’em play” phase these days in the officiating of WR-DB battles, especially at the college level. And Penn State’s defenders know where the limit is and play right up to it. Corner Joey Porter and safety Ji’Ayir Brown intercepted passes Saturday, bringing Penn State’s season total to 7 through 5 games. That’s nearly twice as many picks as the Lions had in 2020’s 9-game season.

Tariq Castro-Fields got called once for holding against Indiana, the only free yards the secondary gave up against the Hoosiers. Penn State has committed only 3 defensive pass interference penalties all season, never more than 1 in a game.

Big-time NFL prospect Jaquan Brisker played his usual stout defense, making 4 total tackles from his safety position. Penn State allowed 3 semi-big passing plays, and otherwise limited Indiana QBs Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle to 99 yards on 13-of-31 passing.

Even with the big plays included, the effort was outstanding.

Penix, who entered the game hot after a 373-yard passing day in a victory over Western Kentucky, started out 1-for-10. Both he and Tuttle threw interceptions, and they finished with dreadful QB ratings.

Outside of 2 late touchdowns by Villanova against PSU second- and third-teamers, Penn State has not allowed a passing TD this season.

Brent Pry’s defense has excelled at all 3 levels, but the unit does work back-to-front. The DBs set the tone. It’s a rare year when Penn State has nearly as many picks (7) as sacks (8), but that’s the case through 5 games. Thanks partly to those picks, the Lions are top 10 in the nation in turnover margin (+6).

It all works together. Jesse Luketa’s pressure in Penix’s face led to Porter’s interception. Fellow defensive end Ebiketie, the transfer from Temple, added another sack to his team-high total (3), slamming down Tuttle one play after Smith knocked Penix out of the game with his first sack of the year.

In limiting Indiana to 264 yards and 0 points, Penn State climbed some defensive charts. Most notably, the Lions are now 3rd in  the country in scoring defense (12.0 ppg), right behind Iowa, next week’s opponent in what will be the biggest Big Ten conference matchup of the season to date. The Lions are 2nd nationally in red zone defense.

“I just think we’re playing really good complementary defensive football,” head coach James Franklin said. “I don’t know if we’re overwhelming in any area, but I think the defense is doing their job, the linebackers are doing their job, the secondary is doing their job, and I think the coaches are doing a tremendous job.  We’re playing really good defense right now. … The good thing is, I think there’s areas that we can still get better there, too. … You know, we’ve been ‘bend but don’t break,’ but we’ve been pretty good.”

Trust is a key factor, Franklin said.

“I do think we are mentally tough. I do think we are physically tough,” the 8th-year Lions coach continued. “I think they trust the coaches. They can trust their teammates. You don’t see guys outside of the system trying to make plays. They’re doing their job at a very, very high and consistent level. It makes it fun. It really does.”