Bell, Cabinda leading Linebacker U. into Purdue

It was critical getting two of the Big Ten's baddest linebackers back at the same time, in the biggest game.

It was quite another to get a new-and-improved Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda.

The Penn State defense looks completely overhauled with Bell and Cabina leading it again — and playing better than ever as they return from lengthy injuries.

It seemed to defy logic.

Now, everyone will be closely watching their next performance Saturday at Purdue.

"It was everything just to be out there, back up your teammates," Bell said. "My teammates are the only thing that kept me sane the last few weeks.

"I realized that nothing really affects me the way football does. Nothing makes me more sad. Nothing makes me more happy ... Kind of gets me in trouble when you don't have the same emotions towards everything else as I do football."

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There definitely is a serious smolder to Bell, known mostly as low-key and laid-back. But he did give a short inspirational speech to his teammates before Ohio State. Then he somehow played nearly the entire game and made a career-high 18 tackles, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.

"With the way he's playing, he could do anything he wants, if he puts his mind to it," Cabinda said.

Meanwhile, Cabinda made all of the defensive calls at middle linebacker and registered 12 tackles.

Overnight, the Lions went from one of the most suspect linebacking corps around to one of the strongest. They can now rotate in seasoned backups Brandon Smith, Koa Farmer and Jake Cooper.

Bell is one of the top defensive playmakers in the Big Ten, and he and Cabinda rush the passer well. Both played more than double their expected time in their return game

Their impact on the defense?

"I don't know if you can put a number on it or a percentage on it or even kind of explain it," said head coach James Franklin. "Their leadership at practice, their energy, the way they call the defense, the way they make adjustments.

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"Just their control and their command of the defense was significant, both of them ... There's a lot of confidence with those guys on the field because we are able to lean on their experience."

Now, they also can help blossoming outside linebacker Manny Bowen even more on the field. He starred with 11 tackles against Ohio State.

"Manny is probably the guy in the program, from the beginning of the season to now, who has probably grown the most," Franklin said. "I think he has a very, very bright future. I'm excited to watch him play the rest of the season and this weekend."

The challenge Saturday for these linebackers is to help control Purdue's short- to mid-range passing game led by accurate QB David Blough.

"That's what it's all about. We play for each other," Cabinda said. "And when you do, and when you go through adversity like we go through ... from everything this program has been through, you get so close.

"To me it makes it so much easier to play with confidence knowing that your brother has your back ..."