UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick started the first seven games last season. He was making a positive impact.

But Odrick broke two bones in his hand in the game against Wisconsin and dislocated his ankle the following week against Indiana. The latter injury shelved him for the rest of the season.

Odrick had surgery on the ankle, limiting his participation in spring drills. His rehab was difficult. Some of his strength vanished.

"I questioned myself when I first started playing again," Odrick said. "But you've got to get rid of all the questioning and all the tiptoeing around on the field and just go out and play."

In late July, as Odrick was slowly working his way back into the rotation at defensive tackle, two projected starters, Phil Taylor and Chris Baker, were thrown off the team. Backup Devon Still broke his ankle in preseason practice in August.

Abe Koroma started the season opener at left tackle, but he was suspended for the next three games, along with defensive end Maurice Evans, after a small amount of marijuana was found in their apartment.

Both players eventually were charged with misdemeanors, but returned to action last week as backups after their lengthy layoff.

A 6-foot-5, 303-pound junior, Odrick filled a key role on the defensive line during Koroma's absence.

Odrick, who has 10 tackles and a sack, is expected to make his fifth consecutive start Saturday when No. 6 Penn State plays at Purdue.

"Jared's starting to be his old self again," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "We put a lot of pressure on him inside when those guys were out, and he's been doing a good job."

Although it likely will cut into some of his playing time, Odrick's happy to have Koroma back in the mix. They rotate with right tackle Ollie Ogbu.

"It's not a competition," Odrick said. "Like I said all through the preseason, me, Ollie and Abe just really see it as our job, all three of our jobs. We just come in, rotate and hold down the interior."

Odrick was impressed with the way Evans and Koroma performed in their first game action in a month. Evans had three tackles and his first sack, while Koroma made four stops.

"It's nice to have them back," Odrick said. "I think it will be huge in Big Ten play."

With Evans and Koroma back in the fold, reserve lineman Mike Lucian has returned full-time to offense, where he began the year.

Defensive end Aaron Maybin, who benefited from Evans' hiatus, has a team high six sacks and leads all linemen with 22 tackles. He will rotate with Josh Gaines and Evans.

The Nittany Lions rank No. 1 in the Big Ten in run defense (79.6 yards per game) and pass efficiency (94.3 rating), second in total defense (252.2 ypg) and sacks (15), and third in scoring (12.8 points per game).

The Lions sacked Illinois quarterback Juice Williams only once last week. Odrick was asked if the defense would need a more aggressive approach against Purdue's record-setting Curtis Painter.

"I'd probably say get more pressure on the quarterback and get more hits on the quarterback," he said.

Odrick has been impressed with Penn State's composure during its 5-0 start.

"I don't see a team that's trying not to lose," he said. "I see a team that's trying to win and trying to put teams away."

Odrick also liked the leadership.

"There are a lot more guys on the team that are more vocal on the field during practice and during games," he said. "I don't think there was as much of it last year in the games that I was able to play."