Penn State has enough experience within its expanded coaching staff and roster to feel confident as it prepares.

Still, there’s no denying that the Nittany Lions are swimming in uncharted waters as they prepare to face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Players remain vigilant as an already long football season continues, with Thursday’s Orange Bowl marking the 16th game of Penn State’s season.

Few players escape year-end bumps and bruises during a normal 12-game campaign.

Add in a league championship game and two rounds of CFP with even more football, and the inevitable physical wear and tear will continue.

“Just in terms of the longevity of the season and keeping your body healthy, this is the longest season anyone has ever experienced,” Penn State senior defensive lineman Dvon J-Thomas said. “I think it’s important that we look at recovery and make sure everyone is on the right track because the season could go in many different directions. … There are a lot of games, so staying healthy is critical.”

Not that Penn State is alone in managing a season that comes close to the NFL in terms of games played.

The remaining CFP contenders, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas, are fighting the same battle.

Regardless, the players in State College do their best to stay in top shape, both physically and mentally.

“Physically, you play 16 games,” junior tailback Nick Singleton said. “Everyone’s banged up, everyone’s in pain and so on, but it’s about being in the treatment room the whole time, holding yourself accountable and trying to take care of your body so you’re ready for game day.

“Mentally it’s tiring. It’s a long season, so just try to keep your mind captive, try to (watch) your film and just try to get better every day.”

On coach James Franklin’s staff, much of the oversight of the team’s health falls to assistant athletic director for performance improvement Chuck Losey.

While Losey and his coaches take the lead, the players realize they must also take responsibility themselves.

“Coach Losey and the strength staff do a good job of making sure we do that, but it’s up to us players to take care of your body individually,” second-year linebacker Tony Rojas said. “It’s a long season. You have to do what’s best for you, which is come in the morning or after practice, take a cold bath or hot tub – whatever you need to do – get treatment after games and so on. It’s important that your body feels right.”

Some positions make it easier than others to mitigate stress on the body, especially by distributing work with snaps.

The trenches are where this may be most needed as Penn State looks to create a new rotation on offense and defense.

For Thomas and his colleagues on the defensive line, a deep rotation was crucial.

It also helps to be able to bring in younger players as backups, such as freshman Max Granville, who appeared in the quarterfinal against Boise State after Abdul Carter suffered an injury.

“Obviously you want to stay out there every single snap, every single play – they’re the biggest games of the year,” J-Thomas said. “But realistically you need to incorporate some rotation and get some rest.

“The younger guys we’ve been doing all season – we’ve been bringing the younger guys along and trying to develop them to the point where they can go into big situations. I think they’re doing a great job at that.”