2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Last updated

2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State Athletics wordmark.svg
Big Ten Leaders Division co-champion
TicketCity Bowl, L 14–30 vs. Houston
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionLeaders Division
Record9–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Galen Hall (8th season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley (12th season)
Co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson (interim)
Co-defensive coordinator Ron Vanderlinden (interim)
Base defense 4–3
Captains
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
Seasons
←  2010
2012  →
2011 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Legends Division
No. 11 Michigan State x  7 –1   11 –3  
No. 12 Michigan  %  6 –2   11 –2  
No. 24 Nebraska  5 –3   9 –4  
Iowa  4 –4   7 –6  
Northwestern  3 –5   6 –7  
Minnesota  2 –6   3 –9  
Leaders Division
No. 10 Wisconsin xy$  6 –2   11 –3  
Penn State x  6 –2   9 –4  
Purdue  4 –4   7 –6  
Ohio State  3 –5   6 –7  
Illinois  2 –6   7 –6  
Indiana  0 –8   1 –11  
Championship: Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno for the first nine games until he was fired in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal, with defensive coordinator Tom Bradley taking over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. [1] [2] The team played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, US. They were members of the Big Ten Conference in the newly formed Leaders Division. They finished the season 9–4, 6–2 in the Leaders Division to be co–division champions with Wisconsin. Due to their head-to-head loss to Wisconsin, they did not represent the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game. They were invited to the TicketCity Bowl where they lost to Houston 14–30.

Contents

The team was ranked number one in academic achievement out of the top 25 ranked BCS teams. [3]

Preseason

The team captains for Penn State's 125th season of football were tackle Quinn Barham, wide receiver Derek Moye, safety Drew Astorino, and defensive tackle Devon Still. [4]

Penn State began the season with an unsettled quarterback situation. Sophomore Rob Bolden and former walk-on junior Matt McGloin split starting duties in the 2010 season. [5] Rob Bolden was named the starter for the season opener against Indiana State.

Preseason awards

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RV23RVRVRVRVRVRV21161221202324—
Coaches 2520RVRVRVRV252219151221192223—
Harris Not releasedRV2419161219182223Not released
BCS Not released2119161221192122Not released

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 312:00 p.m. Indiana State *
 BTN W 41–796,461
September 103:30 p.m.No. 3 Alabama *No. 23
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
 ABC L 11–27107,846
September 1712:00 p.m.at Temple *
 ESPN W 14–1057,323
September 2412:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan *
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
 ESPN2 W 34–695,636
October 112:00 p.m.at Indiana
ESPNU W 16–1042,621
October 83:30 p.m. Iowa
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC/ESPNW 13–3103,497
October 1512:00 p.m. Purdue Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
BTNW 23–18100,820
October 227:00 p.m.at Northwestern
BTNW 34–2440,004
October 293:30 p.m. Illinois No. 21
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC/ESPN2W 10–797,828
November 1212:00 p.m.No. 19 Nebraska No. 12
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPNL 14–17107,193
November 193:30 p.m.at Ohio State No. 21
ABC/ESPNW 20–14104,994
November 263:30 p.m.at No. 15 Wisconsin No. 20
ESPNL 7–4579,708
January 2, 201212:00 p.m.vs. No. 20 Houston *No. 24
ESPNUL 14–3046,817
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Coaching staff

Roster

2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 1 Rob Bolden So
QB 2Shane McGregor Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 3Brandon Beachum Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 4Evan Lewis Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 5 Bill Belton Fr
WR 6 Derek Moye  (C)Sr
WR 7Curtis Drake Redshirt.svg  So
WR 8 Allen Robinson Fr
RB 9Michael Zordich Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 10Kevin Haplea Redshirt.svg  So
QB 11 Matt McGloin Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 12John CabotFr
QB 13Paul Jones Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 14Garrett Venuto Redshirt.svg  So
WR 15Patrick Flanagan Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 16Ryan Scherer Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 17Christian Kuntz Redshirt.svg  So
WR 18Andrew Goodman Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 19 Justin Brown Jr
WR 20Devon SmithJr
RB 21 Stephfon Green Sr
WR 23Brian Friend Redshirt.svg  So
RB 24Derek Day Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 25 Silas Redd So
RB 26Curtis Dukes Redshirt.svg  So
WR 27Tariq Tongue Redshirt.svg  So
FB 33Andre Dupree Redshirt.svg  So
TE 33Michael Yancich Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 35Pat Zerbe Redshirt.svg  So
RB 36Deron ThompsonFr
RB 37Joe SuheySr
RB 40 Zach Zwinak Redshirt.svg  Fr
FB 45P.J. Byers Redshirt.svg  So
G 50DeOn'tae PannellSr
OT 52Chima Okoli Redshirt.svg  Sr
C 54 Matt Stankiewitch Redshirt.svg  Jr
C 55Wendy LaurentFr
G, OT 56Anthony Alosi Redshirt.svg  Fr
OT 58Adam Gress Redshirt.svg  So
C 60 Ty Howle Redshirt.svg  So
G 62Frank Figueroa Redshirt.svg  So
G 64 John Urschel Redshirt.svg  So
C 65Miles Dieffenbach Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 66Angelo MangiroFr
OT 67Quinn Barham (C) Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 68Ryan NowickiFr
OT 70Nate Cadogan Redshirt.svg  So
G 72Khamrone Kolb Redshirt.svg  Fr
G 73Mark Arcidiacono Redshirt.svg  So
G 74 Johnnie Troutman Sr
G 75Eric Shrive Redshirt.svg  So
OT 76 Donovan Smith Fr
OT 77Patrick Christie Redshirt.svg  Fr
OT 78Mike Farrell Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 79Kevin BlanchardFr
TE 80Andrew SzczerbaSr
WR 81Shawney Kersey Redshirt.svg  So
TE 82Brian Irvin Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 83Matt ZanellatoFr
WR 85Brandon Moseby-Felder Redshirt.svg  So
TE 87 Kyle Carter Fr
TE 88J.D. MasonSr
TE 89 Gary Gilliam Redshirt.svg  So
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
S 1Nick SukaySr
CB 2Chaz PowellSr
CB 4 Adrian Amos Fr
CB 5Derrick Thomas Redshirt.svg  So
LB 6 Gerald Hodges Jr
S 7Stephen Obeng-Agyapong Redshirt.svg  So
CB 8D'Anton LynnSr
S 10Malcolm Willis Redshirt.svg  So
LB 11 Khairi Fortt So
CB 12Stephon MorrisJr
S 13Tim BuckleyFr
CB 14Mike Wallace Redshirt.svg  So
CB 15Alex Kenney Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 16Devin Pryor Redshirt.svg  So
DE 18 Deion Barnes Fr
LB 22T.J. RhattiganFr
S 23Ryan Keiser Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 24Jonathan Duckett Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 26Kyle Lucas Redshirt.svg  So
S 27Jacob Fagnano Redshirt.svg  Jr
S 28Drew Astorina (C)Sr
S 29Jeff Cully Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 31 Brad Bars Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 32Dakota Royer Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 34 Nathan Stupar Sr
LB 38Ben KlineFr
CB 39Jesse Della Valle Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 40 Glenn Carson So
DT 41J.R. Refice Redshirt.svg  So
LB 42 Michael Mauti Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 43 Mike Hull Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 46Ken Pollock Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 47 Jordan Hill Jr
DE 48Jordan KernerFr
LB 54James Van Fleet Redshirt.svg  Jr
DE 56Eric Latimore Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 59Pete Massaro Redshirt.svg  Jr
DT 71 Devon Still  (C)Sr
DT 75Evan Hailes Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 81 Jack Crawford Sr
DT 84Kyle Baublitz Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 86C.J. Olaniyan Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 90Sean StanleyJr
DT 91 DaQuan Jones So
DT 92Anthony AlosiFr
DT 93James Terry Redshirt.svg  Jr
DE 94 Shawn Oakman Fr
DT 96Cody Castor Redshirt.svg  Jr
DT 97Luke Graham Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 98 Anthony Zettel Fr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 30 Anthony Fera Redshirt.svg  So
LS 44Michael Fuhrman Redshirt.svg  Jr
P 45Alex ButterworthSo
LS 53Jon RohrbaughSr
LS 57Emery Etter Redshirt.svg  So
PK 97 Sam Ficken Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: October, 2011

Game summaries

September 3 vs. Indiana State

1234Total
Indiana State00077
#25 Penn State14146741

The Nittany Lions defeated the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Indiana State Sycamores 41–7. Rob Bolden started for the Nittany Lions at quarterback and shared QB duties with Matt McGloin. The game began with a 95-yard kick-off return for touchdown by Chaz Powell. Silas Redd ran for 104 yards on 12 carries scored two touchdowns. [9] and fullbacks Joe Suhey and Michael Zordich each had one running touchdown. [9] Third string quarterback Shane McGregor closed the scoring for Penn State with a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter. [9] The Sycamores were able to score the final touchdown of the game against Penn State's third and fourth string defense. Head coach Joe Paterno, still recovering from injuries sustained in a practice collision with Devon Smith coached from the press box. [10]

TV announcers = Big Ten Network Matt Devlin, Glen Mason & Dionne Miller

September 10 vs. Alabama

1234Total
#3 Alabama 7103727
#23 Penn State300811

The third ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban, defeated the Nittany Lions 27–11 at Beaver Stadium. [11] Rob Bolden was once again the starting quarterback and shared playing time with Matt McGloin. Bolden completed 11 of 29 passes for 144 yards and one interception while McGloin was 1 of 10 for 0 yards. [11] Penn State took the opening possession down the field and recorded a 43-yard field goal by Evan Lewis. [11] The Nittany Lions were held scoreless through the second, third, and most of the fourth quarters when Silas Redd scored a one-yard touchdown. Bolden converted the two-point conversion to bring the Penn State total to 11 points. [11]

TV announcers ABC: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe

September 17 at Temple

1234Total
Penn State 070714
Temple730010

Penn State defeated Temple 14 – 10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Fullback Michael Zordich scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard dive with 2:42 to play in the game. [12] While the offense, once again led by quarterbacks Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin, struggled the defense was able to keep the game within reach. Derek Moye had 7 receptions for 112 yards with all 7 catches being good for a Penn State first down. [12] Chaz Powell and Michael Mauti each picked off one Temple pass and Nick Sukay recovered a fumble. Mauti's interception set up the Penn State offense at the Temple 44 with 8:46 remaining. Bolden led the game-winning drive that was highlighted by two successful fourth down conversions and a Zordich recovery of a fumbled snap between Bolden and center Matt Stankiewitch. [12] Despite the close score, Temple finished with only 197 yards of offense, their fewest since a 27–13 win over Army in 2009, where they had only 195. It's also only the fourth time since 2008 that Temple has finished with less than 200 yards of offense.

September 24 vs. Eastern Michigan

1234Total
Eastern Michigan00066
Penn State31414334

The Nittany Lions defeated the Eagles 34–6. The victory marked the first time in the 2011 season that head coach Joe Paterno coached from the sidelines. He spent the first half on the field and coached the second half from the press box. [13] Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin shared quarterback duties again. McGloin threw three touchdown passes, one to fullback Joe Suhey and two to wide receiver Derek Moye who became the sixth Nittany Lion to have more than 2,000 yards receiving in his career. [13] Bolden threw a 71-yard pass to receiver Devon Smith. Kickers Anthony Fera and Sam Ficken each kicked a field goal. [13] Fera was the first Penn State player to punt, kick-off, and serve as the place kicker in a single game since 1975 when Chris Bahr did the same. [14] The Penn State defense limited the Eagles offense to just two fourth-quarter field goals and picked up three turnovers including an interception by Nick Sukay. [15] Malcolm Willis blocked an Eastern Michigan punt. Linebacker Michael Mauti and cornerback D'Anton Lynn both left the game with apparently severe injuries. Mauti injured his knee and is out for the season with an ACL injury to his left knee. [16] Lynn was placed on a backboard as a precautionary measure and was admitted to the local hospital. [15] Post game reports said that Lynn was able to move his arms and legs and may have suffered a stinger, which caused a burning sensation in his extremities. [17]

October 1 at Indiana

1234Total
Penn State0310316
Indiana300710

The game against the Indiana Hoosiers was Joe Paterno's 700th game as a member of the Penn State coaching staff. [18] He has been coaching at Penn State since 1950 when he moved to Penn State from Brown University with his mentor and predecessor Rip Engle. [19] The Nittany Lions defeated the Hoosiers 16–10 for Paterno's 405th career win as head coach. [20] Both offenses struggled throughout most of the game. Rob Bolden started for Penn State at quarterback and shared playing time with Matt McGloin. Derek Moye caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from McGloin in the third quarter. Kicker Anthony Fera was successful on 3 of 4 field goal attempts. [20] Chaz Powell had one interception and Devon Still recovered a fumble that was forced by Sean Stanley. Silas Redd led the Nittany Lion ground game with 126 yards on 30 carries. Penn State committed two turnovers in the red zone, Bolden threw an interception to Forisse Hardin and Redd fumbled the ball at the three-yard line. [21]

October 8 vs. Iowa

1234Total
Iowa03003
Penn State330713

Penn State defeated Iowa 13 – 3. The victory over the Hawkeyes was just the second win in the series for the Nittany Lions since 2000. [22] Rob Bolden started the game, but played just two series. Matt McGloin took the rest of the snaps at quarterback and completed a 2-yard touchdown to Kevin Haplea. [23] The Penn State defense produced five sacks and three turnovers, one fumble and two interceptions to help control the game. The running game led by Silas Redd and Curtis Dukes ran up 231 yards on the ground to help control the clock and keep the Iowa offense off the field. [22] Joe Paterno, still recovering from off season injuries spent the first half on the sidelines before moving to the pressbox in the second half. Penn State honored the 1986 National Champions at halftime of the game to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Penn State's upset victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. [22]

October 15 vs. Purdue

1234Total
Purdue336618
•Penn State7310323
Scoring summary
1PSU4:38Curtis Dukes 1-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 7-0
11:39PURCarson Wiggs 28-yard field goalPSU 7-3
24:36PURCarson Wiggs 32-yard field goalPSU 7-6
20:00PSUAnthony Fera 29-yard field goalPSU 10-6
35:57PSUAnthony Fera 40-yard field goalPSU 13-6
34:02PURO.J. Ross 14-yard pass from Caleb TerBush (kick failed)PSU 13-12
32:37PSU Silas Redd 9-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 20-12
48:08PURAkeem Shavers 1-yard run (run failed)PSU 20-18
46:24PSUAnthony Fera 29-yard field goalPSU 23-18

Penn State defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 23 – 18 for a homecoming victory and to go to 6 – 1 on the season and 3 – 0 in the Big Ten. [24] Rob Bolden once again started at quarterback, but Matt McGloin took the great majority of the snaps. He threw one interception that bounced off the feet of receiver Bill Belton and into the arms of the Boilermaker's Albert Evans who returned it 55 yards from the endzone. [25] Silas Redd ran for 131 yards and one touchdown. Backup tailback Curtis Dukes scored his first career touchdown. [24] The Penn State defense came up with three interceptions, two by linebacker Nate Stupar and one by safety Nick Sukay. [25] Starting wide receiver Derek Moye missed the game with a foot injury and coach Joe Paterno, still recovering from off season injuries, spent the entire game in the pressbox. [24] [25]

October 22 at Northwestern

1234Total
•Penn State14137034
Northwestern14100024
Scoring summary
112:17NW Dan Persa 1-yard run (Jeff Budzien kick)NW 7-0
18:44PSUJustin Brown 4-yard pass from Matt McGloin (Anthony Fera kick)Tied 7-7
15:51PSUDevon Smith 45-yard pass from Matt McGloin (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 14-7
11:54NWKain Colter 12-yard pass from Dan Persa (Jeff Budzien kick)Tied 14-14
212:26PSUAnthony Fera 37-yard field goalPSU 17-14
28:43NWKain Colter 4-yard run (Jeff Budzien kick)NW 21-17
24:01PSUAnthony Fera 33-yard field goalNW 21-20
20:47NWJeff Budzien 25-yard field goalNW 24-20
20:07PSU Stephfon Green 1-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 27-24
311:39PSU Silas Redd 19-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 34-24

Penn State defeated Northwestern 34–24 giving Joe Paterno his 408th career win and tying him with Grambling's legendary Eddie Robinson. [26] Matt McGloin started and played the entire game at quarterback. [26] The first half was an offensive shoot-out and the second a defensive struggle. Despite the fact that McGloin took every snap at quarterback, both Joe and quarterback coach Jay Paterno stated that the competition between McGloin and Rob Bolden to be the starter was still active. [26] The defensive star of the game was linebacker Gerald Hodges. He had a career-high 14 tackles and returned an interception thrown by Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native Dan Persa for 63 yards. [27] Anthony Fera kicked two field goals to go with the four touchdowns produced by the Nittany Lions. [26] McGloin threw touchdown passes to Justin Brown and Devon Smith. Silas Redd and Stephon Green both scored one running touchdown. [27]

October 29 vs. Illinois

1234Total
Illinois00707
•Penn State0001010
Scoring summary
33:32ILLSpencer Harris 10-yard pass from Nathan Scheelhaase (Derek Dimke kick)ILL 7-0
47:00PSUAnthony Fera 30-yard field goalILL 7-3
41:08PSU Silas Redd 3-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 10-3

Paterno earned his 409th win and passed Grambling State's Eddie Robinson as Division I's winningest coach in what would unexpectedly become his final game at Penn State. The game at halftime was 0–0, Illinois took a 7–0 lead in the 3rd quarter on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase to wide receiver Spencer Harris. [28] A blocked punt by Brad Bars set up Penn State's first score of the game, a thirty-yard field goal by Anthony Fera with 7:00 remaining. [28] Matt McGloin led Penn State on the game-winning drive that was sparked by the return from injury of Derek Moye. The Nittany Lions drove 80 yards down the field in the final three minutes of the game. A three-yard touchdown run by running back Silas Redd put the Lions ahead 10–7. [28] Illinois drove into field goal range, and attempted a 42-yard field goal. The field goal hit the right upright, and Penn State won 10–7. [28] Redd topped 1,000 yards for the season while running for 137 yards on 30 carries. Linebacker Gerald Hodges led the defense with 19 tackles, a forced fumble, and two pass break-ups. [29]

November 12 vs. Nebraska

1234Total
#19 Nebraska0107017
#12 Penn State007714

This was the first Nittany Lion's game not coached by Joe Paterno in 46 years due to his firing for his involvement in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal. [30] Penn State fell behind 10–0 at halftime and trailed 17–0 after a Matt McGloin fumble in the third quarter that led to a Nebraska touchdown. Penn State rallied, however, and even had a chance to win after scoring two touchdowns and narrowing the deficit to 17–14. Had Penn State won the game, they would have been two regular-season wins away from a likely Big Ten championship appearance. (They went on to beat Ohio State and to lose to Wisconsin.) [31] However, a last gasp play from near mid-field ended hopes of a comeback. This game was marked with much emotion with a blue-out (in contrast to the normal white-out) at Beaver Stadium in support of the alleged victims of Sandusky's crimes. Nebraska and Penn State gathered for a prayer at midfield for the victims and the fans showed the support for their team with a standing ovation at the end of the game despite the loss. [31]

November 19 at Ohio State

1234Total
•Penn State10100020
Ohio State0140014
Scoring summary
112:27PSU Stephfon Green 39-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 7-0
11:59PSUAnthony Fera 39-yard field goalPSU 10-0
212:32OSU Braxton Miller 24-yard run (Drew Basil kick)PSU 10-7
210:05PSUStephfon Green 4-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 17-7
25:22OSUJake Stoneburner 7-yard pass from Braxton Miller (Drew Basil kick)PSU 17-14
20:00PSUAnthony Fera 46-yard field goalPSU 20-14

Penn State defeated Ohio State 20–14. Stephon Green ran for two touchdowns and Anthony Fera kicked two field goals for the Nittany Lions. It was Penn State's first and only win with Tom Bradley as coach. All of the scoring in the game was contained to the first half. [32] Penn State had success running the Wildcat formation with Curtis Drake and Bill Belton taking snaps while quarterback Matt McGloin lined up in the slot. This victory took the show down for the Leaders Division championship to their final regular season game at Wisconsin. Penn State won the game despite being a seven-point underdog according to Las Vegas bookmakers. It was the first time since 2001 against Northwestern that the Nittany Lions were victorious despite being so heavily favored to lose. [33]

November 26 at Wisconsin

1234Total
#19 Penn State70007
#12 Wisconsin72114345

The winner of this matchup was guaranteed to represent the Leaders division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. Penn State lost to Wisconsin 7–45 to close out the regular season. The Nittany Lions took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Matt McGloin to Curtis Drake. Penn State turned the ball over four times, three fumbles and one interception. The Badgers, led by quarterback Russell Wilson and tailback Montee Ball, were able to convert all four turnovers into scores. [34]

January 2 vs. Houston (2012 TicketCity Bowl)

1234Total
#23 Penn State077014
#17 Houston1773330

Penn State lost to Houston 14–30 in the TicketCity Bowl at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas to end the season. Houston quarterback, Case Keenum, was the game MVP completing 45 of 69 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns. Rob Bolden started at quarterback in place of the injured Matt McGloin for Penn State. Bolden, the offense, and the defense struggled throughout the game. [35]

Awards

Penn State's football players were recognized for outstanding academic performance by the New America Foundation's Academic Bowl Championship Series. [3] The team was ranked number one out of the top 25 ranked BCS teams. The criteria in the rankings include the graduation rate of the team as compared to the rest of university, the difference between the graduation rate of African-American players and the rest of the squad as well as the same statistics for the rest of the students at Penn State, and the graduation rate differences between African American players and students. [3] This marked the second time that the football team at Penn State was ranked number one. Chris White was awarded the Ray Guy Award for the nations best Punter. The 2009 team earned the same honor. [3]

Watchlists

Players

Post-season

Seven players were invited to the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, held February 22 to 28 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana: Jack Crawford, D'Anton Lynn, Derek Moye, Chaz Powell, Devon Still, Nate Stupar, Johnnie Troutman. [61]

All-star games

GameDateSitePlayers
2012 Casino del Sol College All-Star Game January 16, 2012 Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
Tucson, Arizona 		Drew Astorino [62]
Quinn Barham [62]
Stephfon Green [62]
2012 East-West Shrine Game January 21, 2012 Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, Florida 		Nick Sukay [63]
2012 Astroturf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl January 21, 2012 The Home Depot Center
Carson, California 		Jon Rohrbaugh [64]
Andrew Szczerba [64]
2012 Senior Bowl January 28, 2012 Ladd–Peebles Stadium,
Mobile, Alabama 		Devon Still [65]
Jack Crawford
D'Anton Lynn
Johnnie Troutman

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The 2009 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State had the highest graduation rate among all of the teams on the Associated Press Top 25 poll with 89% of its 2002 enrollees graduating. Miami and Alabama tied for second place with a graduation rate of 75%. The Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11–2 record and won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy award to the best team in the ECAC for the 28th time and the second consecutive year.

The 2010 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Big Ten Conference. Team captains for the season were wide receiver Brett Brackett and defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu.

Kevin Leonardo Newsome, Jr. is a former American college football quarterback from Portsmouth, Virginia who played for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team from 2009 to 2011, and for the Temple Owls football team in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Outback Bowl</span> College football game

The 2011 Outback Bowl, a college football bowl game, matched the Florida Gators of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) against the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten. The 25th edition of the Outback Bowl, it was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game kicked off at 1 p.m. EST on January 1, 2011, and was telecast on ABC. The Florida Gators won with a final score of 37–24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Bolden</span> American football player (born 1992)

Robert Craig Bolden, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. After attending St. Mary's Preparatory School in Orchard Lake, Michigan, he played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2010 to 2011. He transferred to Louisiana State University and was a member of the LSU football team from 2012 to 2013. Bolden transferred again and finished his college football career as a member of the 2014 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt McGloin</span> American football player (born 1989)

Matthew James McGloin is an American former professional football quarterback who played for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was the starting quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team from 2010 to 2012. McGloin was the first walk-on quarterback to start at Penn State since scholarships were reinstated in 1949.

The 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill O'Brien in his first season and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, US. It was a member of the Big Ten Conference and played in the Leaders Division. Penn State was ineligible to play in a bowl game for the 2012 season due to sanctions imposed in wake of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.

Michael D. Mauti is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Penn State, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hill (American football)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Jordan Thomas Hill is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Penn State Nittany Lions football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The team was led by ninth-year head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions entered the season unranked for the first time since 2016. Prior to the season, the team recruited the former number one quarterback Drew Allar, and the number one running back Nicholas Singleton.

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier out". ESPN . November 9, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Paterno fired over Penn St. child abuse scandal". CBS News . November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Angert, Alexander (December 7, 2011). "Penn State Football Program Ranks No. 1 in New America Foundation's Academic Bowl Championship Series". The Patriot-News . Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Giger, Cory (September 3, 2011). "Moye, Barham, Still, Astorino Named Captains". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Flounders, Bob (September 2, 2011). "Penn State Picks for Week 1 vs. Indiana State". The Patriot-News . Harrisburg. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Mauti and Moye Named to Athlon Sports Pre-season All-Big Ten First Team". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. July 25, 2011. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Mauti and Moye Lead 14 Nittany Lions Named to Phil Steele's Pre-season All-Big Ten Teams". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Jones, David (November 11, 2011). "McQueary Tells PSU Wideouts He's Out As Coach and In "Protective Custody"". The Patriot-News . Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "Penn State Takes Down Indiana State, 41–7". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ "Penn State Overwhelms Indiana State 41–7 in Season Opener at Beaver Stadium". The Patriot-News . September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Musselman, Ron (September 10, 2011). "No. 3 Alabama Thumps No. 23 Penn State, 27–11". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 Giger, Cory (September 18, 2011). "PSU Avoids Upset with 14–10 Win Over Temple". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 Mussleman, Ron (September 24, 2011). "Penn State Beats Eastern Michigan 34–6". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  14. ↑ Wogenrich, Mark (October 7, 2011). "After His Own Rocky Start, Fera Returns to Smooth Penn State's Special-Teams Rocky Start". The Morning Call . Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Penn State Handles Eastern Michigan 34–6, But May Have Lost Michael Mauti for the Year". The Patriot-News . September 24, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  16. ↑ Flounders, Bob (September 24, 2011). "Worst Fears Realized: Penn State Star Linebacker Michael Mauti Is Out for the Season With An ACL Injury to His Left Knee". The Patriot-News . Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  17. ↑ Giger, Cory (September 24, 2011). "PSU Gameday Central: McGloin Sparks PSU; Lynn, Mauti Injured". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ Giger, Cory (September 28, 2011). "When Joe Speaks: Paterno Gives Unusual Answer on Starting QB Issue". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Joe Paterno". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved September 28, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. 1 2 Musselman, Ron (October 1, 2011). "Lions Scratch Out 16–10 Win at Indiana". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  21. ↑ Giger, Cory (October 1, 2011). "PSU Gameday Central: PSU Holds Off Indiana, 16–10". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  22. 1 2 3 Wogenrich, Mark (October 8, 2011). "Aggressive Defense Guides Penn State's 13–3 Win Over Iowa". The Morning Call . Retrieved October 10, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  23. ↑ Flounders, Bob (October 8, 2011). "Back to Basics: Penn State Pounds Iowa 13–3 Behind Rugged Defense, Strong Running Game". The Patriot-News . Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 Rice, Jeff (October 16, 2011). "Nittany Lions Overcome Sluggish Start to Squelch Upset-Minded Boilermakers". Centre Daily Times . Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 Brigandi, Ben (October 16, 2011). "Nittany Lions Sort of Entertaining, Sort of Good". Williamsport Sun-Gazette . Retrieved October 18, 2011.
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  27. 1 2 "Still Streakin': Matt McGloin, Silas Redd Team Up (Again) to Shoot Down Northwestern, 34–24". The Patriot-News . October 23, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Flounders, Bob (October 29, 2011). "Refuse to Lose: Penn State Shrugs Off Fourth-Quarter Deficit to Edge Illinois on a Late TD Run by Silas Redd". The Patriot-News . Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  29. ↑ Flounders, Bob (October 30, 2011). "Penn State-Illinois Game Balls: Blocked Punt by DE Brad Bars Turned the Tide for PSU". The Patriot-News . Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Joe Paterno, president Graham Spanier out at Penn State".
  31. 1 2 Juliano, Joe (November 12, 2011). "Shocking Week Ends With Penn State Loss". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
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  33. ↑ Jones, David (November 22, 2011). "Penn State's +7 Triumph at OSU is Its Largest Road Dog Win in Over a Decade". The Patriot-News . Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  34. ↑ Musselman, Ron (November 26, 2011). "Wisconsin Pounds Penn State, 45–7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  35. ↑ Rossi, Rob (January 3, 2012). "Houston's Passing Game Gouges Penn State". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Fera Makes Groza List". Scout . October 28, 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
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  38. ↑ "Mauti Named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. July 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Mauti Named to Butkus Award Watch List". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. July 18, 2011. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Moye Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Stupar Selected A Candidate for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. August 24, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  42. ↑ "Still Added to Bednarik Award Watch List". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
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  61. ↑ "Seven Nittany Lions to Participate in NFL Combine". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. February 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  62. 1 2 3 "Trio of Nittany Lions to Play in Arizona All-Star Game". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. January 13, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  63. ↑ "2012 Roster". East/West Shrine Game. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  64. 1 2 "Three More Nittany Lions to Play in All-Star Games". Pennsylvania State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. January 16, 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  65. ↑ Rittenberg, Adam (January 6, 2011). "Four Make It to Senior Bowl". Altoona Mirror . Retrieved January 7, 2011.
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