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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Brandon Smith spent early weekdays last year studying opposing defenses so he could copy players characteristics and mimic tactics as the leader of Penn States scout team defense.Now, hell lead the real thing.The former walk-on linebacker is expected to make his first start in the middle of a banged up defense thats lost all three starting linebackers to injuries when Penn State (2-1) plays at No. 4 Michigan (3-0) on Saturday.Penn State coach James Franklin announced Tuesday that Nyeem Wartman-White will miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury suffered midway through the Temple game. His second season-ending injury in as many years is the latest blow for a unit already without Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda. Neither appear ready to return for Saturdays game.Wartman-White began the season at outside linebacker and shifted back to the middle with Cabinda out. When Wartman-White went down, it left Penn State with sophomores Jake Cooper and Manny Bowen, neither of whom had experienced calling the defense. Penn State needed a voice that carried some seniority and experience, even if it was as a captain on the scout team.Enter Smith.Hes been here four years and hes played three defensive snaps, Franklin said. He played 57 plays on Saturday. I think the confidence he displayed and how he called the defense I think helped.A former standout high school wrestler and javelin thrower, Smith made an immediate impact. Temple gained just 2 rushing yards in the second half where Smith finished with eight tackles, one for a loss and broke up a pass. It didnt come as a surprise for his teammates whod watched his efforts on the scout team.He brought 100 percent effort every single day at practice, Cooper said. He made our offensive line better and everyone around him better. He was physical all the time.And a nuisance for an offensive staff that wanted to dial-in gimmick plays in practice but had difficulty doing so with Smith opposing them.Hes one of those guys in practice where you get frustrated with him on scout team because youll be trying to do a play-action pass, youre trying to do a fake with a reverse or something like that, and hed be there, Franklin said. You thought he was cheating the drill, but hes reading his keys. Hes one of those guys. Hes just more athletic than I think people give him credit for.His football IQ is impressive too, Franklin said. Smith said hes learned a lot from studying different defenses each week in order to provide accurate looks for the starting offense.Its a neat experience in that aspect that you get to play in all these schemes and different fronts in front of you, Smith said. From that perspective, you learn a lot more about the game. But as far as fundamentals and things of that nature, you just play the same as always, knee-bend, pads rolled over, hand striking.Penn State will need those fundamentals to be crisp to slow the Wolverines.Michigans multi-faceted rushing attack is powered by a big, experienced group of linemen with three fifth-year seniors in addition to tight end Jake Butt. The Wolverines also utilize a perimeter passing attack to create space for playmakers like Amara Darboh who turned a quick screen into a 45-yard touchdown to spark his teams comeback against Colorado last week.A lot of those sideline pursuits will fall to Cooper and Bowen. Both played on special teams last season and saw a handful of defensive snaps with Cooper starting in Penn States bowl game loss Georgia where it wasnt as loud as what theyre expecting in the Big House on Saturday.I think at this point its going to be growing and communicating together, Cooper said. Communications going to be a big factor when youve got three starters that are all out. Those are all experienced guys. Theyve had a lot of snaps in games and things like that. To be able to communicate is going to be the biggest key for us. Dustin Pedroia Jersey . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Mitch Moreland Jersey . LOUIS -- St. http://www.theredsoxteamshop.com/Red-Sox-Rick-Porcello-Kids-Jersey/ . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Mookie Betts Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. 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Its too early for a full medicall prognosis on how long hell be out for, but its likely hell miss the Autumn Internationals.ddddddddddddHes in great hands with our medical team, and we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch when hes ready.The news follows on from Sam Jones broken leg which he suffered in judo training.? ' ' '