The instant a teammate collided into Miles Dieffenbach's left knee during a spring-practice drill in March, Dieffenbach knew something was wrong.

Aside from the acute physical pain, Penn State's senior guard recognized he was staring at months of intense physical therapy just to have a chance to resume his college career.Some might have sulked. Or become a recluse. Or written off their seasons and pointed solely toward an NFL career.Not Dieffenbach. And now he is being rewarded.Less than seven months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL, Dieffenbach is nearing a return to action for a Penn State offensive line that sorely needs his steady, veteran presence.It's no longer a matter of if Dieffenbach will return this season, but when. Perhaps as soon as Saturday's 8 p.m. home game against Ohio State certainly in time to play during the stretch drive in November."Oh man, that's going to be one heck of a feeling going out there and playing with my teammates again," Dieffenbach said. "Just being with my guys and wearing that Penn State jersey for the last couple games, it's going to be awesome."You appreciate it more after (an injury) like this. A lot of people don't realize how much time and effort, blood sweat, tears and hard work that goes into being a Division I football player."Until his knee progressed enough in time to be on the practice field this fall, Dieffenbach said the most difficult part was forgoing practice with teammates in lieu of individual rehab sessions.But for a player whose time at PSU has been as unique as it has been about overcoming obstacles, Dieffenbach said he knew how he had to approach the grueling offseason."There really is no other option when something like this happens," Dieffenbach said. "I've been taught throughout my whole life through my faith in God and everything everything happens for a reason. My only option was to get back at it, so it wasn't hard."Dieffenbach was cleared to participate in live scrimmages last week, another step on the road to returning to game action. Last week, coach James Franklin addressed a timetable for Dieffenbach's return by saying "we're getting close.""Closer every single day," Franklin said. "You'd love to see him this week."The Lions' offense certainly would. Without Dieffenbach, PSU's offensive line began the season bereft of experience.That opened up an opportunity for another way for Dieffenbach to contribute."He's been like another coach for us," freshman tackle Andrew Nelson said.Dieffenbach has served as an extra pair of eyes during games, assisting line coach Herb Hand and graduate assistant Tyler Bowen."Miles has been a very valuable resource for our guys throughout his rehabilitation," Hand said.Unfazed by his inability to practice in earnest, the affable and outgoing Dieffenbach earned the respect of teammates for his eagerness in serving a leadership role. He was rewarded by being elected a captain.Dieffenbach believes the added film study and heightened analytical eye he's been forced to develop will serve him well as he pursues an NFL career after this season."He's still involved in everything in every way he can be," quarterback Christian Hackenberg said. "Miles is a guy you look up to. Everyone takes what he says seriously."How Dieffenbach can help the Lions most is by returning to the lineup. Told originally that 5-7 months was a fast track for recovery, 7-9 months normal and 9-12 long, Dieffenbach is on the verge of falling just into the "fast" window."The knee feels awesome. Now, it's just getting out there, getting the rust off and trying to get my game back to where it was and playing my best."