Wikipedia

2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

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.

2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Big Ten Leaders Division co-champion
TicketCity Bowl, L 14–30 vs. Houston
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionLeaders Division
Record9–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGalen Hall (8th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorTom Bradley (12th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorLarry Johnson (interim)
Co-defensive coordinatorRon Vanderlinden (interim)
Base defense4–3
Captains
Home stadiumBeaver Stadium
Seasons
← 2010
2012 →
2011 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
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 team was ranked number one in academic achievement out of the top 25 ranked BCS teams.[3]

Preseason

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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

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Rankings

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See also: 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV23RVRVRVRVRVRV21161221202324—
Coaches2520RVRVRVRV252219151221192223—
HarrisNot releasedRV2419161219182223Not released
BCSNot released2119161221192122Not released

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 312:00 p.m.Indiana State*
BTNW 41–796,461
September 103:30 p.m.No. 3 Alabama*No. 23
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ABCL 11–27107,846
September 1712:00 p.m.at Temple*
ESPNW 14–1057,323
September 2412:00 p.m.Eastern Michigan*
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN2W 34–695,636
October 112:00 p.m.at Indiana
ESPNUW 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 
  • 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.IllinoisNo. 21
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC/ESPN2W 10–797,828
November 1212:00 p.m.No. 19 NebraskaNo. 12
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPNL 14–17107,193
November 193:30 p.m.at Ohio StateNo. 21
ABC/ESPNW 20–14104,994
November 263:30 p.m.at No. 15 WisconsinNo. 20
ESPNL 7–4579,708
January 2, 201212:00 p.m.vs. No. 20 Houston*No. 24
ESPNUL 14–3046,817
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Coaching staff

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  • Joe Paterno - head coach (first 9 games)
  • Tom Bradley – interim head coach (final 4 games)
  • Dick Anderson – guards and centers coach
  • Kermit Buggs – defensive backs[8]
  • Galen Hall – offensive coordinator and running backs
  • Larry Johnson, Sr. – co-defensive coordinator/defensive line
  • Bill Kavanaugh – wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator
  • Bill Kenney – offensive tackles and tight ends
  • Mike McQueary – wide receivers and recruiting coordinator (placed on administrative leave November 11, 2011)[8]
  • Jay Paterno – passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach
  • Elijah Robinson – defensive line
  • Ron Vanderlinden – co-defensive coordinator and linebackers
  • John Thomas – strength and conditioning

Roster

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

Roster
Last update: October, 2011

Game summaries

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September 3 vs. Indiana State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Indiana State 0 0 0 7 7
#25 Penn State 14 14 6 7 41
See also: 2011 Indiana State Sycamores football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
#3 Alabama 7 10 3 7 27
#23 Penn State 3 0 0 8 11
See also: 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 7 0 7 14
Temple 7 3 0 0 10
See also: 2011 Temple Owls football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Eastern Michigan 0 0 0 6 6
Penn State 3 14 14 3 34
See also: 2011 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 3 10 3 16
Indiana 3 0 0 7 10
See also: 2011 Indiana Hoosiers football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Iowa 0 3 0 0 3
Penn State 3 3 0 7 13
See also: 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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

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1 234Total
Purdue 3 366 18
• Penn State 7 3103 23
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
32:37PSUSilas 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
See also: 2011 Purdue Boilermakers football team

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

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1 234Total
• Penn State 14 1370 34
Northwestern 14 1000 24
Scoring summary
112:17NWDan 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
20:07PSUStephfon Green 1-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 27-24
311:39PSUSilas Redd 19-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 34-24
See also: 2011 Northwestern Wildcats football team

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

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1 234Total
Illinois 0 070 7
• Penn State 0 0010 10
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
41:08PSUSilas Redd 3-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 10-3
See also: 2011 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Nebraska 0 10 7 0 17
#12 Penn State 0 0 7 7 14
See also: 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

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

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1 234Total
• Penn State 10 1000 20
Ohio State 0 1400 14
Scoring summary
112:27PSUStephfon Green 39-yard run (Anthony Fera kick)PSU 7-0
11:59PSUAnthony Fera 39-yard field goalPSU 10-0
212:32OSUBraxton 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
See also: 2011 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Penn State 7 0 0 0 7
#12 Wisconsin 7 21 14 3 45
See also: 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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)

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1 2 3 4 Total
#23 Penn State 0 7 7 0 14
#17 Houston 17 7 3 3 30
See also: 2011 Houston Cougars football team and 2012 TicketCity Bowl

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

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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

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Players

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Post-season

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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

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Game Date Site Players
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

References

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  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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d Musselman, Ron (September 10, 2011). "No. 3 Alabama Thumps No. 23 Penn State, 27–11". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c Giger, Cory (September 18, 2011). "PSU Avoids Upset with 14–10 Win Over Temple". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c 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.
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