Correction appended
Aaron Maybin and Josh Gaines jumped around in celebration as Juice Williams dragged himself up off the Beaver Stadium grass. The man they were chestbumping had just dumped Williams on his butt.
It was Maurice Evans' first sack of the season.
Maybin and Gaines slapped Evans' shoulder pads. The two defensive ends had missed Evans who was suspended for Penn State's last four games.
Now he's back, along with sophomore defensive tackle Abe Koroma.
"I think it's unquestionable that they really brought a whole different attitude back to our defensive line," Maybin said after the game. "In their absence we were able to play well but obviously having two players of their caliber coming back it's crucial for you."
Without Evans and Koroma, Maybin distanced himself from the rest of Penn State's defensive linemen in the Lions' previous three games. Maybin tallied four sacks playing in place of Evans against Oregon State, Syracuse and Temple.
After Saturday's game, Maybin said having Evans and Koroma back would only increase his and the rest of the defensive line's output.
Maybin used a word that hasn't been used often this season to describe Penn State's defensive line.
"Deep."
"It's a beautiful thing to have so many guys on the field that can rush the passer and that can make some things happen -- make big plays happen," Maybin said. "I think having [Evans] there and having Abe there, it definitely gives you an extra sense of security. You don't feel like you have to make everything happen by yourself."
Evans and Koroma had been suspended since early September after police found a small amount of marijuana in their apartment. They hadn't practiced with the team since Monday, when Joe Paterno allowed them to return.
All week, Paterno wouldn't comment on the playing shape of both linemen. After Saturday's game, Paterno again didn't answer that question. He said he "would have to look at the tapes."
Junior defensive tackle Jared Odrick -- who has seen increased playing time and has started in place of Koroma -- said neither Evans or Koroma missed a step on Saturday.
Evans finished with three tackles and his sack, while Koroma made four stops.
Odrick said both players kept in shape during their hiatus from the team. Evans and Koroma kept up with their conditioning by running with teammates after practice.
More importantly, Odrick said, the return of Evans -- who led Penn State with 12.5 sacks last season -- and the imposing 316-pound Koroma helped bolster Penn State's psyche as they head into the heart of conference play. Next week, Penn State will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on Purdue.
"Either way you still want to go all out every play, but you know that you have two guys coming in after you that are going to keep the level of play just as high," Odrick said.
This article incorrectly stated the number of games from which Penn State defensive end Maurice Evans was suspended. Evans was suspended for three games.
