2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

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2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football
PennStateNittanyLions.png
Outback Bowl, W 20-10 vs. Tennessee
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches #25
AP #24
2006 record 9-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
Head coach Joe Paterno
Offensive coordinator Galen Hall
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley

Home stadium

 Beaver Stadium
Seasons
« 2005 2007 »
2006 Big Ten Football Standings
    Conf       Overall
Team (Rank) W   L     W   L
#2 Ohio Statexy 8 - 0     12 - 1
#5 Wisconsin 7 - 1     12 - 1
#9 Michigan 7 - 1     11 - 2
#25 Penn State 5 - 3     9 - 4
Purdue 5 - 3     8 - 6
Minnesota 3 - 5     6 - 7
Indiana 3 - 5     5 - 7
Iowa 2 - 6     6 - 7
Northwestern 2 - 6     4 - 8
Michigan State 1 - 7     4 - 8
Illinois 1 - 7     2 - 10

xChampions
yAutomatic BCS Bowl Bid
Rankings from final Coaches Poll v d e

The 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2006-2007 college football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Contents

[edit] Previous season

Penn State had unexpected success in 2005, following two consecutive losing seasons. Beginning the season unranked in any poll, the team finished 11-1 and ranked third. With only one loss, the team was Big Ten Co-Champion with Ohio State. Linebacker Paul Posluszny won both the Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus Awards, and was a consensus All-American. Quarterback Michael Robinson finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

[edit] Preseason

The team had key losses due to graduation, including Michael Robinson, Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis, Anwar Phillips, Calvin Lowry, and Ethan Kilmer. Paul Posluszny and offensive tackle Levi Brown decided to return to the team for the 2006 season, despite speculation both players would enter the NFL Draft.[1] Posluszny and star receiver Derrick Williams returned from injuries that caused them to miss time in 2005.

Paul Posluszny and Levi Brown were elected co-captains of the football team for 2006. Posluszny becomes the team's first two-time captain since 1969.[2] Posluszny was also named the 2006 Big Ten and consensus national pre-season Defensive Player of the Year.[3]

Penn State was ranked #19 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls.

[edit] Recruiting class

Name Hometown High School Height Weight† 40‡ Commit date
Chris Bell
WR
 Norfolk, VA Granby HS 6′3″ 205 4.50 2005-10-17 
Scout:5 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 81
Navorro Bowman
LB
 Forestville, MD Suitland HS 6′1″ 218 4.70 2005-12-08 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 77
Brett Brackett
QB
 Lawrenceville, NJ Lawrenceville, NJ 6′6″ 235 4.71 2005-05-12 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 75
Brent Carter
RB
 Pottstown, PA Pottsgrove SHS 6′2″ 200 4.55 2006-01-29 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 40
Pat Devlin
QB
 Downingtown, PA Downingtown East HS 6′4″ 200 4.70 2006-01-23 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 82
Lou Eliades
OL
 Oakhurst, NJ Ocean Township HS 6′4″ 283 5.00 2005-12-27 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 78
Maurice Evans
DE
 Middle Village, NY Christ The King Regional HS 6′3″ 252 4.70 2006-01-07 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 91
Bani Gbadyu
LB
 Gaithersburg, MD Quince Orchard HS 6′1″ 210 4.60 2005-12-14 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 81
Cedric Jeffries
S
 Egg Harbor Twp, NJ Egg Harbor Township HS 6′3″ 195 4.60 2005-12-20 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 74
Doug Klopacz
OL
 Montvale, NJ St. Joseph Regional HS 6′3″ 260 4.75 2005-08-12 
Scout:2 stars.svg   Rivals:2 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 40
Abe Koroma
DT
 Hershey, PA Milton Hershey School 6′2″ 270 4.90 2005-07-30 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 40
Eric Latimore
DE
 Middletown, DE Middletown HS 6′6″ 240 4.90 2005-10-10 Grayshirt.png
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 76
Antonio Logan-El
OL
 Forestville, MD Forestville HS 6′6″ 310 5.20 2006-01-24 
Scout:5 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 78
Aaron Maybin
DE
 Ellicott City, MD Mt. Hebron HS 6′3″ 220 4.67 2005-10-17 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 77
Travis McBride
S
 McKeesport, PA McKeesport Area SHS 6′1″ 195 4.50 2005-12-12 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 76
Tom McEowen
DT
 Langhorne, PA Neshaminy HS 6′4″ 280 5.10 2005-07-11 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 77
Jared Odrick
DT
 Lebanon, PA Lebanon SHS 6′6″ 285 5.00 2005-12-19 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 76
Ollie Ogbu
DT
 New Berlin, NY Milford Academy 6′2″ 300 4.96 2005-05-13 
Scout:2 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 40
Andrew Quarless
TE
 Uniondale, NY Uniondale HS 6′4″ 225 4.50 2006-01-13 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 77
Evan Royster
RB
 Chantilly, VA Westfield HS 6′0″ 190 4.45 2006-01-19 
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 72
Phillip Taylor
DT
 Brandywine, MD Gwynn Park HS 6′4″ 340 5.50 2006-01-24 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:4 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 79
Johnnie Troutman
DE
 Pemberton, NJ Pemberton Twp. HS 6′4″ 270 4.90 2006-01-21 Grayshirt.png
Scout:3 stars.svg   Rivals:3 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 77
A.J. Wallace
CB
 Pomfret, MD Maurice J McDonough HS 6′1″ 195 4.40 2006-01-07 
Scout:4 stars.svg   Rivals:5 stars.svg   ESPN grade: 82
Overall Recruiting Rankings: Scout - 6   Rivals - 6
† Weight is in pounds
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100 point scale.
Sources:
"Penn State Commit List for 2006". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?year=2006&school=61. Retrieved 2007-02-08. 
"Scout.com Football Recruiting: Penn State". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=157&p=9&c=8&yr=2006. Retrieved 2007-02-08. 
"RecruitTracker 2006: Penn State". ESPN.com. http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=213&season=2006. Retrieved 2007-02-08. 
"Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=157&p=9&c=14&yr=2006. Retrieved 2007-02-08. 
"2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2006. Retrieved 2007-02-08. 

|}

[edit] Schedule

Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Indiana and Iowa this year.

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
09/02/2006* 3:30 p.m. Akron #19 Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPN2 W 34-16   106,505
09/09/2006* 3:30 p.m. at #4 Notre Dame #19 Notre Dame Stadium • South Bend, IN NBC L 17-41   80,795
09/16/2006* 3:30 p.m. Youngstown State #25 Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPNU W 37-3   104,953
09/23/2006 3:30 p.m. at #1 Ohio State #24 Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH ABC L 6-28   105,266
09/30/2006 3:30 p.m. Northwestern Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ABC W 33-7   108,837
10/07/2006 12:00 p.m. at Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome • Minneapolis, MN ESPN Plus W 28-27 OT  45,227
10/14/2006 8:00 p.m. #5 Michigan Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ABC L 10-17   110,007
10/21/2006† 12:00 p.m. Illinois Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPN2 W 26-12   108,112
10/28/2006 12:00 p.m. at Purdue Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN ABC W 12-0   58,025
11/04/2006 12:00 p.m. at #17 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI ABC L 3-13   81,777
11/11/2006* 3:30 p.m. Temple Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPN Plus W 47-0   105,950
11/18/2006 12:00 p.m. Michigan State Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPN2 W 17-13   108,607
01/01/2007 11:00 a.m. vs. #18 Tennessee Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL (Outback Bowl) ESPN W 20-10   65,601
*Non-Conference Game. †Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[edit] Coaching staff

The Nittany Lion

[edit] Game notes

[edit] September 2: Akron

The Nittany Lions and Zips played in the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto in the season opener.
1 2 3 4 Total
Akron 0 3 6 7 16
Penn State 10 7 7 10 34

Penn State played the Akron Zips in its home opener. Akron was unranked, however the team finished as the 2005 MAC Champions. Anthony Morelli threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first pass attempt of his first start. Penn State won the game 34-16.


[edit] September 9: Notre Dame

See also: 2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 0 3 14 17
Notre Dame 3 17 14 7 41

Penn State played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana. After a close first quarter, Notre Dame pulled away from the young Penn State squad to win 41-17.

[edit] September 16: Youngstown State

1 2 3 4 Total
Youngstown State 0 0 3 0 3
Penn State 0 20 10 7 37

Penn State defeated the Youngstown State Penguins by a score of 37-3 on September 16, 2006 at Beaver Stadium.

The Youngstown State Penguins were the 150th different team to face Penn State since 1887, the first year for Penn State football.


[edit] September 23: Ohio State

See also: 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 3 0 3 6
Ohio State 0 0 7 21 28

Penn State lost to the number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio on September 23, 2006, by the score of 28-6 in a game closer than the final score would indicate. Despite the score, Penn State led in many statistical areas, such as first downs, controlling the clock, and total yards, but only had six points to show for their dominating effort. After a scoreless first half, Penn State scored a field goal right before halftime. Penn State led 3-0 at halftime, and controlled the tempo in much of the second half, despite the Buckeyes going up 7-3 following a missed Penn State field goal. Early in the fourth quarter, Troy Smith threw the football away, down the field to avoid a sack in a tipped, nearly intercepted, up for grabs pass that happened to be caught for a touchdown by Brian Robiskie. The Nittany Lions, still playing like they were in control of the game, responded with a strong drive that was called back at the 1 yard line for a false start. The Nittany Lions had to settle for a field goal, which completely shifted the momentum to the Buckeyes. The score was 14-6 in favor of the Buckeyes. Penn State led another potentially scoring drive far down the field, until it was intercepted and returned for a touchdown with roughly 2 minutes left on the clock. However, Malcolm Jenkins spiked the ball at the one yard line, which rolled into the endzone untouched. This was only noticed after the game. Antonio Smith returned another interception to clinch the victory with 1:07 remaining on the clock, this time from midfield.


[edit] September 30: Northwestern

See also: 2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Northwestern 0 7 0 0 7
Penn State 6 10 17 0 33

Penn State defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 33-7 on September 30, 2006 at Beaver Stadium. Deon Butler set a Penn State record with 216 receiving yards, breaking O.J. McDuffie's record of 202 yards set against Boston College in 1992. Tony Hunt ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Morelli completed 19-of-33 passes for 288 yards.

[edit] October 7: Minnesota

See also: 2006 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and Governor's Victory Bell
1 2 3 4 OT Total
Penn State 7 7 0 7 7 28
Minnesota 7 0 0 14 6 27

Penn State defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 28-27 in overtime. Tony Hunt rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns (2 rushing), the last in overtime for the game-winning touchdown. Anthony Morelli threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a dislocated ring finger on his left (non-throwing) hand. The game, tied at overtime, was decided by two factors, a missed extra point kick, and a pass interference penalty on Penn State's drive to give them a fresh set of downs. Both proved critical, as Penn State soon converted the touchdown and kicked the extra point to escape with the win.

[edit] October 14: Michigan

See also: 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Michigan 0 10 7 0 17
Penn State 0 3 0 7 10

Penn State fell to the fourth-ranked Michigan Wolverines 17-10 in front of the second-largest Beaver Stadium crowd (110,007) ever. Running back Tony Hunt was limited to just 33 rushing yards on 13 carries, while having 5 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Nittany Lions returned the kickoff to midfield and drove down the field, but stalled in the red zone. An early missed mid-range Kevin Kelly field goal quickly shifted the momentum to the Wolverines.

The Nittany Lions would be forced to use three quarterbacks after Anthony Morelli (11 of 18 for 133 yards) suffered a concussion in the third quarter, and his backup Daryll Clark (3 of 6 for 16 yards) was injured on a draw play several plays later. Third-stringer Paul Cianciolo (3 of 7 for 51 yards and one touchdown) cut Michigan's lead to 7 with a touchdown on a 43-yard screen pass to Hunt, quickly shifting the momentum to the Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions faked an onside kick and instead kicked it long. The Penn State defense mostly prevented Michigan from attempting to run the clock out, instead forcing the Wolverines to punt, but a last-minute drive to tie the game fell short. One of Paul Cianciolo's passes went for five yards, and the other three were incomplete.

The Lions fell to 4-3 on the year. Despite playing a close game with Michigan in all other statistical categories, the Nittany Lions were held to -14 rushing yards, the only time Penn State had ever been held to negative yards rushing under Joe Paterno.

[edit] October 21: Illinois

See also: 2006 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Illinois 3 6 0 3 12
Penn State 3 0 14 9 26

Carried mostly by the play of its defense, Penn State defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 26-12 during homecoming weekend. Strong safety Anthony Scirrotto had two interceptions and returned an attempted onside kick for a touchdown.[4]

Punter Jeremy Kapinos was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, averaging 45.6 yards per punt, with a long of 57 yards. He pinned Illinois inside its own 20 yard line four times. He also surpassed Ralph Giacomarro to become first all-time in career punting yardage (9,578). Linebacker Paul Posluszny was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, notching a season-high 13 tackles and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.[5]

[edit] October 28: Purdue

See also: 2006 Purdue Boilermakers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 3 3 0 6 12
Purdue 0 0 0 0 0

Penn State's low-scoring win on the road against the Boilermakers saw running back Tony Hunt rush 31 times for 142 yards and a touchdown (along with 2 receptions for 36 yards) as the Nittany Lions posted a shutout against Purdue, their first ever under head coach Joe Tiller. The low score was primarily a result of the high winds and cold weather. It was Penn State's first shutout since a 49-0 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in October 2002.[6]

Recording a game-high 12 tackles and an interception, linebacker Dan Connor was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.[7]

[edit] November 4: Wisconsin

See also: 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 3 0 0 3
Wisconsin 3 7 3 0 13

Penn State suffered a 13-3 loss on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff put the Badgers on the scoreboard first with a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly tied the score with a 39-yard field goal, but Badgers quarterback John Stocco countered with 14-yard touchdown pass to Paul Hubbard. Wisconsin added a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Recording 14 tackles, linebacker Paul Posluszny broke Greg Buttle's record for career tackles. Posluszny finished the game with 349 career tackles.[8]

Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was injured during a sideline collision in the third quarter. Although reluctant to leave the sideline, he was taken to the locker room for evaluation and flown back to Penn State ahead of the team. There it was revealed that Paterno had a pair of fractures to his tibia along with tears of his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.[9]

[edit] November 11: Temple

1 2 3 4 Total
Temple 0 0 0 0 0
Penn State 21 10 10 6 47

Running back Tony Hunt had a career day, scoring 4 touchdowns and rushing for 167 yards in two and a half quarters of play, as Penn State shut out the Temple Owls 47-0 with coach Joe Paterno absent from the sidelines for the first time since 1977. Derrick Williams scored on a dazzling 75-yard punt return, while placekicker Kevin Kelly added field goals of 19 and 33 yards. Reserve quarterback Daryll Clark scored on a 4th quarter run. Following the game, Penn State captains Levi Brown and Paul Posluszny visited Paterno at his home to present him with the game ball.

The game was the first in Happy Valley for former Nittany Lion tight end Al Golden as Temple head coach.


[edit] November 18: Michigan State

See also: Land Grant Trophy
See also: 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Michigan State 10 3 0 0 13
Penn State 0 7 7 3 17

23 seniors helped close out their regular season careers as Nittany Lions by winning the Land Grant Trophy with a 17-13 win over the Michigan State Spartans. Coach Joe Paterno, still nursing a broken shinbone, coached from the pressbox. Running back Tony Hunt overcame 2 first quarter fumbles to tally his seventh 100-yard game this season, rushing for 129 yards on 29 attempts. Quarterback Anthony Morelli, who also had 2 fumbles, finished 17-of-37 for 220 yards.


[edit] January 1: 2007 Outback Bowl - Tennessee

Main article: 2007 Outback Bowl
See also: 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Tennessee 3 7 0 0 10
Penn State 0 10 0 10 20

The 2007 Outback Bowl featured Penn State against the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. Penn State last participated in the game in 1999, when they won over the Kentucky Wildcats by the score of 26-14. Tennessee last played in Tampa in the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl, defeating the Boston College Eagles 38-23.

Penn State defeated the favored Tennessee 20-10 for Joe Paterno's record 22nd bowl win. Tony Hunt led the PSU offense running for 158 yards on 31 carries. Tony Davis returned a fumble 88 yards for the game winning touchdown. First Team All-Big Ten Conference strong safety Anthony Scirrotto also recorded his sixth interception of the season. The key play of the game was a fumbe recovery returned for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth, Penn State ran down the clock, but despite stalling in the red zone, kicked a field goal that put the game out of reach.


[edit] Rankings

See also: 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking Movement
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Final
AP 19 19 25 24 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 24
Coaches 19 19 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 25
Harris Not released NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Not released
BCS Not released NR NR NR NR NR 25 NR NR

[edit] Awards

[edit] Watchlists

Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist[11]
Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist[11]
Lindy's Football Heisman Trophy watchlist[3]
Lombardi Award watchlist[10]
Dick Butkus Award watchlist[12]
Draddy Trophy semifinalist[14] and finalist[15]
Lott Trophy watchlist[16]
Walter Camp Player of the Year watchlist[3]
Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist[11]
Maxwell Award watchlist[11]

[edit] Players

Third-team Associated Press All-American[17]
Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)[18]
Second-team Walter Camp All-American[19]
Second-team Sporting News All-American[20]
Third-team Associated Press All-American[17]
Second-team All-Big Ten[18]
ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District[21]
First-team Sporting News All-American[20]
Second-team Associated Press All-American[17]
Second-team All-Big Ten[18]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 2)[22]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 28)[23]
Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team[24]
Second-team All-Big Ten[18]
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 11)[25]
Most Valuable Player, 2007 Outback Bowl[26]
Most Valuable Player, 2007 Senior Bowl[27]
Third-team Associated Press All-American[17]
Second-team All-Big Ten[18]
Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Sep. 23)[28]
Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 21)[29]
Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)[18]
  • Nolan McCready
ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District[21]
Second-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American[30]
2006 Bednarik Award winner[31]
ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District[21]
First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American[30]
ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year[30]
First-team Associated Press All-American[17]
First-team Walter Camp All-American[19]
First-team All-Big Ten[18]
Second-team Sporting News All-American[20]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21)[29]
National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete fellowship[32]
NCAA Defensive Player of the Year[33]
Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team[24]
First-team All-Big Ten (conference media selection)[18]
ESPN.com All-Bowl Team[34]
ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District[21]
First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American[30]

[edit] Post season

Penn State finished the season ranked number 24 in the final AP college football poll and number 25 in the final USA Today college football poll, earning Penn State its 32nd Top 25 finish under Joe Paterno.[35]

The team's success helped Penn State finish second in football attendance for the fourth time this decade and in the top four for the 16th consecutive year, averaging 107,567 for seven home games, including a crowd of 110,007 on October 14 to watch Penn State host Michigan in primetime, the second-largest in Beaver Stadium history. Penn State finished the season with a sellout crowd of 65,601 at the Outback Bowl.[36]

Five players participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, held February 22-27 in Indianapolis, IN: Jay Alford, Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny, and Tim Shaw.[37]

[edit] NFL draft

Five Penn State players were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.[38][39]

Round Pick Overall Name Position Team
1st 5 5 Levi Brown Offensive tackle Arizona Cardinals
2nd 2 34 Paul Posluszny Linebacker Buffalo Bills
3rd 18 81 Jay Alford Defensive tackle New York Giants
3rd 27 90 Tony Hunt Running back Philadelphia Eagles
5th 27 164 Tim Shaw Linebacker Carolina Panthers

[edit] All-star games

Game Date Site Players
61st Hula Bowl January 14, 2007 Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Jay Alford, Ed Johnson, Tim Shaw
58th Senior Bowl January 27, 2007 Ladd Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ "All-Americans Brown & Posluszny Returning to Penn State For Senior Seasons". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-01-13. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9322. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  2. ^ "Brown & Posluszny Elected 2006 Nittany Lion Co-Captains". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-04-22. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10123. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  3. ^ a b c "Posluszny Among Candidates for Walter Camp Player of the Year". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-08-18. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10548. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  4. ^ "Nittany Lions Take Fight out of Illini and Win 26-12". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-10-21. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102106aac.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  5. ^ "Posluszny & Kapinos Earn Big Ten Player of the Week Accolades". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-10-23. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102306aab.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  6. ^ "Nittany Lions Blank Boilermakers, 12-0". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-10-28. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102806aaa.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  7. ^ "Connor Earns Second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Honor". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-10-30. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103006aac.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  8. ^ "Nittany Lions Fall to No. 17 Wisconsin, 13-3". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-11-04. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110406aab.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  9. ^ "Joe Paterno Suffers Injuries to Left Leg". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-11-05. http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110506aaa.html. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  10. ^ a b "Brown & Posluszny Named to Watch List For 37th Rotary Lombardi Award". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-03-07. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9752. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Big Ten Places 30 football Student-Athletes on Several National Award Watch Lists". Big Ten Conference. 2006-06-29. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062906aac.html. Retrieved 2007-01-12. 
  12. ^ a b c "2005 Butkus Award Winner Posluszny & Connor Among Candidates for '06 Top Linebacker Honor". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-08-24. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10583. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  13. ^ "2006 Doak Walker Award Candidates". Doak Walker Award. Southern Methodist University Athletics. http://smu.edu/athleticforum/DWA-Candidates.html. Retrieved 2007-01-25. 
  14. ^ "NFF Announces 2006 Draddy Trophy Semifinalists". National Football Foundation. 2006-10-17. http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=994. Retrieved 2008-10-02. 
  15. ^ "Brian Leonard Claims the Draddy Trophy". National Football Foundation. 2006-12-07. http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1048. Retrieved 2008-10-02. 
  16. ^ "Simpson Named to Lott Trophy Watch List". University of Alabama Athletics. 2006-04-05. http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=37423&SPID=3011&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=264744. Retrieved 2007-01-25. 
  17. ^ a b c d e "2006 AP All-America Team". ESPN.com. 2006-12-12. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2695097. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "Big Ten Announces 2006 football All-Conference Teams And Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. 2006-11-21. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112106aaa.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  19. ^ a b "Big Ten Earns Eight National Awards". Big Ten Conference. 2006-12-08. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120806aaa.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  20. ^ a b c "Trio of Nittany Lions Earn All-America Honors From The Sporting News". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-12-14. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11455. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  21. ^ a b c d "2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Football Team". College Sports Information Directors of America. http://www.cosida.com/formpdfs/2006fbacad.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-26. 
  22. ^ "Five Players Share Weekly Conference Honors After Undefeated Opening Week for Big Ten". Big Ten Conference. 2006-09-04. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090406aaa.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  23. ^ "Indiana's Lewis, Penn State's Connor and Wisconsin's Mehlhaff Named Football Players of the Week". Big Ten Conference. 2006-10-30. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103006aaa.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  24. ^ a b "Sporting News 2006 Big Ten All-Freshman Team". Sporting News. 2006-12-12. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=158253. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  25. ^ "Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State Earn Weekly Football Accolades". Big Ten Conference. 2006-11-13. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111306aac.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  26. ^ Outback Bowl (2007-01-01). "Penn State Post-Game Notes". Outbackbowl.com. http://www.outbackbowl.com/pressbox/release.html?release=140. Retrieved 2007-03-28. 
  27. ^ Associated Press (2007-01-27). "Smith leads North to victory in rainy Senior Bowl". NFL.com. http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9958159. Retrieved 2007-01-27. 
  28. ^ "Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin Earn Weekly Football Honors". Big Ten Conference. 2006-09-25. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092506aaa.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  29. ^ a b "MSU, OSU and PSU Earn Weekly Big Ten Football Honors". Big Ten Conference. 2006-10-23. http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102306aab.html. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  30. ^ a b c d "2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team". College Sports Information Directors of America. http://www.cosida.com/formpdfs/2006AAAfootball.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-26. 
  31. ^ "Posluszny repeats as Bednarik Trophy winner". ESPN.com. 2006-12-07. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=2690462. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  32. ^ "Posluszny earns Scholar-Athlete Fellowship". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2006-10-26. http://live.psu.edu/story/20431. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  33. ^ "Posluszny Selected NCAA Defensive Player of the Year by Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-01-12. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11568. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  34. ^ "Scirrotto Selected to ESPN.com All-Bowl Team". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-01-15. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11593. Retrieved 2007-01-22. 
  35. ^ "Nittany Lions Earn 32nd Top 25 Ranking Under Joe Paterno". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-01-09. http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/pressrelease/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11545. Retrieved 2007-01-12. 
  36. ^ "Nittany Lion Fans Keep Beaver Stadium Among Nation's Top Drawing Venues". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-02-12. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11832. Retrieved 2007-02-13. 
  37. ^ "Five Nittany Lions Participating In NFL Scouting Combine". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-02-19. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11898. Retrieved 2007-02-21. 
  38. ^ "Arizona Selects Brown No. 5 Overall in NFL Draft; Posluszny, Alford & Hunt Also Drafted on First Day". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-04-28. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12472. Retrieved 2007-04-28. 
  39. ^ "Carolina Selects Linebacker Tim Shaw; Five Nittany Lions Chosen in 2007 NFL Draft". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-04-29. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12481. Retrieved 2007-04-30. 
v • d • e
Penn State Nittany Lions football teams
1887 • 1888 • 1889 • 1890 • 1891 • 1892 • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009
National championships: 1982 • 1986
Perfect seasons: 1887 • 1912 • 1968 • 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 1994
Big Ten championships: 1994 • 2005 • 2008
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