Penn State Nittany Lions football

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Penn State Nittany Lions football
2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
Penn State Nittany Lions.svg
First season 1887
Athletic director David M. Joyner
Head coach Bill O'Brien
1st year, 0–0–0  (–)
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
Stadium capacity 106,572
Stadium surface Grass
Location University Park, Pennsylvania
Conference Big Ten
Division Leaders
All-time record 827–360–43 (.690)
Postseason bowl record 27–15–2
Claimed national titles 2
Conference titles 3 (Big Ten since 1993)
Heisman winners 1
Consensus All-Americans 39
Current uniform
BigTen-Uniform-PSU.png
Colors Navy Blue and White            
Fight song Fight On, State
Mascot Nittany Lion
Marching band Penn State Blue Band
Rivals Ohio State Buckeyes
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Michigan Wolverines
Wisconsin Badgers
Pittsburgh Panthers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Website Penn State Football
Penn State's alternate text logo

The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the United States.[1][2][3] On November 22, 2008, after a victory over Michigan State University, Penn State became the sixth FBS program to win 800 games.[4]

Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno was Penn State's head coach for nearly 46 seasons, winning 409 games, more than any other Football Bowl Subdivision football coach. He was fired in November 2011 in light of an alleged sex-abuse scandal involving a former coach.

Bill O'Brien was hired to replace Paterno.[5] He was introduced as Penn State’s 15th head football coach at a press conference on January 7, 2012.[6]

Contents

[edit] Current coaching staff

Position Name Year Alma mater
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien[7] 2012 Brown (1992)
Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof[8] 2012 Georgia Tech (1985)
Quarterbacks Charlie Fisher 2012 Springfield (1980)
Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Charles London[9] 2012 Duke (1995)
Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach Stan Hixon[10] 2012 Iowa State (1978)
Tight Ends John Strollo [11] 2012 Boston College (1976)
Offensive Line Mac McWhorter[12] 2012 Georgia (1974)
Defensive Line Larry Johnson[13] 1999 Elizabeth City State (1973)
Linebackers Ron Vanderlinden[14] 2000 Albion College (1977)
Secondary/Special Teams John Butler[15] 2012 Catholic (1995)
Strength and Conditioning Craig Fitzgerald 2012 Maryland (1997)

[edit] Traditions

[edit] Paternoville

"Paternoville" is the name attributed to the student tradition of camping out in front of Beaver Stadium prior to a home football game. The tradition was established during the 2005 football season, when students began setting up tents and "camping" in front of Beaver Stadium one week before the game with rival school Ohio State on October 8th.[16] The students camped in front of the stadium in order to hold their positions in line for front-row seats. What began as a small group of fans gathering and camping in tents has now become a strong tradition which attracts thousands of students, and was colloquially dubbed "Paternoville" in honor of former head coach Joe Paterno. Football players, the Blue Band, and Joe Paterno himself frequent Paternoville, pepping up the students as game day draws near. Paternoville has helped bring enthusiasm back to Penn State Football in recent years, and is governed by the student-run Paternoville Coordination Committee.[17]

[edit] The Blue Buses

Before home games, players dress in their game uniform at the Lasch Football Building, and are bused over to Beaver Stadium in four plain, blue university buses. First and second team offensive players ride in the first bus, first and second team defensive players ride in the second bus, and the rest of the team follows in the third and fourth buses. Only two seats on any of the four buses are reserved: Joe Paterno rode in the front right of the offensive bus, and his starting quarterback rides in the front left. Quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno has said that if there is ever debate over who will be the starter for any game, look to who gets off the bus second. In this 2010 season Paterno became the first FBS (Division 1-A) football coach to reach 400 wins in a coaching career.

[edit] Success with Honor

Joe Paterno is widely known for his "grand experiment" in which he challenged his players to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. The slogan has since become a trademark of Penn State Football and Penn State Athletics as a whole. In 2010, the Nittany Lion football team posted a 89% graduation rate, the highest of any team ranked in the final AP Top 25, dwarfing the second highest rate of 75%, which was held by Alabama and Miami (FL).

[edit] Uniform

The team is widely noted (along with teams like Notre Dame and Alabama) for their simple game uniforms. They only wear white pants, and the jerseys are simple blue for home games, and white for away games.[18] The team is only allowed to wear simple black Nike shoes with white calf socks for game days, though blue tights are permitted underneath the white socks for cold weather games. The helmet is white with a blue stripe down the center, and a blue on white "Penn State" sticker covers up the forehead helmet logo. No team logos, conference logos, numbers, or other stickers are permitted on the helmet, though two Nike logos are on facemask visors that some players choose to wear. Penn State has started to wear bowl decals only starting with 1997 Fiesta Bowl. Before that, Penn State always declined the decals so they can play out of their simple game uniforms. The blue and white uniforms replaced pink and black ones in 1890.[19]

The uniforms became even simpler for the 2011 season, as the white cuffs and collars on the home jerseys and the corresponding blue cuffs and collars on the road jerseys were eliminated, leaving the jerseys solid blue and white, respectively.

[edit] Captains

Captains are chosen by the team, with the head coach's approval. Being named a captain is an honor almost always given to a senior, but there are some notable exceptions: Linebacker Sean Lee was named a captain in the beginning of Spring practice in 2008, the beginning of his 4th year with the team. However, he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice, redshirted in 2008, and returned as a captain again in 2009. The most recent example of a "true" junior being named was Paul Posluszny, who was named a captain in both 2005 and 2006, his junior and senior years, respectively. The last time a junior was named captain before Posluszny was in 1968, when Steve Smear and Mike Reid were named captains during their junior years.

[edit] Linebacker U

Penn State is often referred to as Linebacker U for its reputation of producing outstanding linebackers. Dennis Onkotz was a two time All American in 1968 and 1969, and played on two undefeated teams. Possibly the greatest linebacker in Penn State history, Jack Ham finished his career with 251 tackles, blocked two punts, and went on to play on two undefeated teams. Ham later went on to the NFL, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Greg Buttle was a terrifying linebacker during the 1973-1975 seasons, finishing with an astonishing 305 tackles in his junior and senior year. He was drafted by the New York Jets and is a part of the All Jet team. Shane Conlan was a two time All-American and defensive MVP of the 1987 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. He was drafted #1 by the Bills in 1987, named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to three straight Pro Bowls (1988-90). Lavar Arrington was an extremely physical linebacker who was all over the place. Arrington finished with 319 career tackles and 139 tackles for losses. He was later drafted 2nd overall by the Washington Redskins. Paul Posluszny became the face of Penn State football from 2003–2006, and is the definition of Linebacker U. Posluszny won the Dick Butkus Award in 2005 and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2005 and 2006. He finished with 372 tackles, and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Dan Connor finished his career as the all-time leading tackler for Penn State with 419 and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers while Cameron Wake went on to capture MVP honors for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League before moving on to the Miami Dolphins and leading the National Football League in sacks during the 2010 season. Tamba Hali was the 20th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and led the AFC in sacks during the 2010 NFL season helping the Kansas City Chiefs reach the playoffs. Most recently Sean Lee, graduating Penn State in 2009, is now starting inside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. NaVorro Bowman, drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2010 draft, ranked 7th in the league in tackles in 2011, which is a difficult feat playing next to tackling machine Patrick Willis.[20] Furthermore, Navorro Bowman was named an AP first team All-Pro for his 2011 campaign.

[edit] Notable seasons

[edit] Perfect seasons

Penn State has had seven undefeated, untied seasons in its history since the program started in 1887:

1887 • 1912 • 1968 • 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 1994

[edit] National championships

Penn State has won two consensus national championships, both under Joe Paterno's tenure as coach.

1982 • 1986

Other national championships selections:

1911 • (National Championship Foundation)

1912 • (National Championship Foundation)

1969 • (Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments, Massey Ratings)

1981 • (Dunkel System, Loren Maxwell, Soren Sorenson, The Fleming System)

1994 • (Billingsley Report, DeVold, Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments, Massey Ratings, Matthews Grid Ratings, National Championship Foundation, New York Times, Sagarin Ratings)

The suite boxes on the east side of Beaver Stadium, with the highlighted years (undefeated and championship seasons) added in 2006

[edit] Conference championships

Penn State played as an independent from 1887 through 1890.

On September 26, 1891, the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association (PIFA) was formed. The PIFA consisted of Bucknell, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Haverford, Penn State and Swarthmore. Penn State won the championship with a 4-1-0 PIFA record (Bucknell's record was 3-1-1). The PIFA dissolved prior to the 1892 season.

Penn State then played as an independent again until joining the Big Ten Conference in 1990 and beginning play in 1993, Penn State has won three Big Ten championships:

1994 • 2005 • 2008

[edit] Season-by-season records

Main article: List of Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons

[edit] Coaching history

Coach Years Seasons Record Pct. Cnf. Record Pct. Cnf. Titles Bowls Nat. Titles
No coach 1887-1891 5 12-8-2 .591 4-1-0 .800 1
George Hoskins 1892-1895 4 17-4-4 .760
Samuel Newton 1896-1898 3 12-14-0 .462
Sam Boyle 1899 1 4-6-1 .409
Pop Golden 1900-1902 3 16-12-1 .569
Daniel A. Reed 1903 1 5-3-0 .625
Tom Fennell 1904-1908 5 33-17-1 .657
Bill Hollenback 1909, 1911–1914 5 28-9-4 .732 2
Jack Hollenback 1910 1 5-2-1 .688
Dick Harlow 1915-1917 3 20-8-0 .714
Hugo Bezdek 1918-1929 12 65-30-11 .665 1
Bob Higgins 1930-1948 19 91-57-11 .607 1
Joe Bedenk 1949 1 5-4-0 .556
Rip Engle 1950-1965 16 104-48-4 .680 4
Joe Paterno 1966–2011 45 3/4 409-136-3 .749 95-54 .638 3 37 2
Tom Bradley 2011 1/4 1-3 .250 1-2 .333
Bill O'Brien 2012-present Entering 1st 0-0 .000 0-0
Totals 1887–present 125 827-359-43 .690 100-56 .641 4 43 4

Source:[21]

[edit] Bowl history

Main article: List of Penn State Nittany Lions bowl games

Penn State has earned invitations to 43 bowl games. The Nittany Lions have compiled a record of 27-14-2 (0.651), the second highest winning percentage in Division I FBS, including a 14-6-1 (0.691) record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Cotton).[1]

Coach Joe Paterno was responsible for most of these bids and victories, compiling more wins (24) and appearances (37) than any other coach in college football history en route to his bowl record of 24-12-1 (0.662). Paterno also has a record of 11-5-0 (0.688) in "major" bowls and is the only coach to have won all five major college bowls during his career.

[edit] By year

Year* Coach Bowl Game
1923 Hugo Bezdek Lost Rose Bowl
1948 Bob Higgins Tied Cotton Bowl Classic
1959 Rip Engle Won Liberty Bowl
1960 Rip Engle Won Liberty Bowl
1961 Rip Engle Won Gator Bowl
1962 Rip Engle Lost Gator Bowl
1967 Joe Paterno Tied Gator Bowl
1969 Joe Paterno Won Orange Bowl
1970 Joe Paterno Won Orange Bowl
1972 Joe Paterno Won Cotton Bowl Classic
1972 Joe Paterno Lost Sugar Bowl
1974 Joe Paterno Won Orange Bowl
1975 Joe Paterno Won Cotton Bowl Classic
1976 Joe Paterno Lost Sugar Bowl
1976 Joe Paterno Lost Gator Bowl
1977 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1979 Joe Paterno Lost Sugar Bowl
1979 Joe Paterno Won Liberty Bowl
1980 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1982 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1983 Joe Paterno Won Sugar Bowl
Year* Coach Bowl Game
1983 Joe Paterno Won Aloha Bowl
1986 Joe Paterno Lost Orange Bowl
1987 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1988 Joe Paterno Lost Citrus Bowl
1989 Joe Paterno Won Holiday Bowl
1990 Joe Paterno Lost Blockbuster Bowl
1992 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1993 Joe Paterno Lost Blockbuster Bowl
1994 Joe Paterno Won Citrus Bowl
1995 Joe Paterno Won Rose Bowl
1996 Joe Paterno Won Outback Bowl
1997 Joe Paterno Won Fiesta Bowl
1998 Joe Paterno Lost Citrus Bowl
Year* Coach Bowl Game
1999 Joe Paterno Won Outback Bowl
1999 Joe Paterno Won Alamo Bowl
2003 Joe Paterno Lost Capital One Bowl
2006 Joe Paterno Won Orange Bowl
2007 Joe Paterno Won Outback Bowl
2007 Joe Paterno Won Alamo Bowl
2009 Joe Paterno Lost Rose Bowl
2010 Joe Paterno Won Capital One Bowl
2011 Joe Paterno Lost Outback Bowl
2012 Tom Bradley Lost TicketCity Bowl

* Year corresponds to the calendar year in which the game was played, not necessarily the football season (e.g.: the 2007 Outback Bowl was played during the 2006 season).

[edit] By game

Bowl # Appearances Record
Alamo Bowl 2 1999, 2008 2-0
Aloha Bowl 1 1983 1-0
Blockbuster Bowl 2 1990, 1993 0-2
Citrus Bowl/Capital One Bowl 5 1988, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2010 2-3
Cotton Bowl Classic 3 1948, 1972, 1975 2-0-1
Fiesta Bowl 6 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 6-0
Gator Bowl 4 1961, 1962, 1967, 1976 1-2-1
Holiday Bowl 1 1989 1-0
Liberty Bowl 3 1959, 1960, 1979 3-0
Orange Bowl 5 1969, 1970, 1974, 1986, 2006 4-1
Outback Bowl 4 1996, 1999, 2007, 2011 3-1
TicketCity Bowl 1 2012 0-1
Rose Bowl 3 1923, 1995, 2009 1-2
Sugar Bowl 4 1972, 1976, 1979, 1983 1-3

[edit] Rivalries

[edit] Current

Penn State competes for two rivalry trophies, both introduced when the Nittany Lions began Big Ten football in 1993.

[edit] Michigan State

Main article: Land Grant Trophy

From 1993 to 2010, Penn State played Michigan State for the Land Grant Trophy. Penn State has a 13-5 record in these trophy games and Michigan State currently holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2010 contest. Beginning with the league's expansion and new division format in 2011, the two teams are in different divisions and will only meet twice every five years.

[edit] Minnesota

The Nittany Lions taking the field against Minnesota in 2005.
Main article: Governor's Victory Bell

Since 1993, Penn State has played Minnesota for the Governor's Victory Bell. Penn State is 8-4 against the Golden Gophers in this series and holds possession of the trophy after winning the 2010 contest.

Due to the Big Ten's schedule rotation, Penn State and Minnesota did not meet in 2007 and 2008. The series resumed in 2009. Beginning with the league's expansion and new division format in 2011, the two teams will play in opposite divisions and meet twice every five years.

[edit] Ohio State

Ohio State and Penn State first played in 1912, but until 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten conference, the meetings were infrequent. Including their last non-conference meeting in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, the series was 6-2 in favor of Penn State before the Big Ten established the two teams as designated conference rivals playing annually starting in 1993.[22] Penn State trails the overall series by a slim 13-12 margin and is 6-11 in conference play.[23]

Penn State is 5-8 at Ohio Stadium (the 1912 game was played at its predecessor, Ohio Field) after a 13-6 win in 2008, breaking a seven-game away losing streak at Ohio Stadium. Penn State is 5-5 against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium, including a memorable come-from-behind win in 2001 to give Joe Paterno his 324th win, passing Bear Bryant for the lead in career victories among major college coaches.[23][24]

At least two meetings have determined the conference champion.[citation needed] Of the 24 games they played, 9 have been determined by 7 points or less, 14 games by 14 points or less. Penn State has shut out Ohio State three times but all occurred prior to Penn State joining the Big Ten, while Ohio State has never held Penn State below six points.[23] Due to the nature of the rivalry, a large number of games between the two teams are night games.[citation needed]

[edit] Temple

Penn State has been playing Temple frequently since 1931. Temple has not beaten Penn State since 1941, and Penn State holds a 37-3-1 record in the series, after defeating Temple 14-10 at Lincoln Financial Field in 2011.[25][26] The current series will continue every season except the 2013 season through at least 2016.[27] Penn State's 30 game winning streak over Temple is currently the longest active streak in college football.

[edit] Nebraska

The teams played a series of games before Penn State joined the Big Ten, most notably in the early 1980s. The high point of the rivalry was an epic battle in week three of 1982 season. Nebraska came to Happy Valley ranked #2; Penn State was ranked #8 at the time. After Nebraska had scored to take the lead with a minute remaining, Todd Blackledge led the Lions down the field, and was helped by a controversial call deep inside Husker territory. Penn State won the game with a touchdown as time expired, and went on to win the National Championship. The series was renewed briefly in 2002-03 after a 19-year gap (during which in 1994, Nebraska and Penn State finished 1-2 in both major polls). Beginning in the 2011 season, Penn State and Nebraska will play every year as cross-division rivals. Nebraska beat Penn State in the first game since joining the Big Ten conference, the weekend that immediately followed the controversial firing of legendary head coach Joe Paterno.

[edit] Dormant

[edit] Pittsburgh

Main article: Pitt-Penn State rivalry

The Pitt-Penn State rivalry is a currently dormant series between in-state rivals Penn State and Pittsburgh. Once considered the fiercest and most important college football rivalry north of the Mason-Dixon line, this rivalry was first played in 1893 when Penn State won 32-0. The most recent game in the series was played in 2000 with Pitt winning 12-0 over Penn State at Three Rivers Stadium. Penn State holds a 50-42-4 record in the series.[28]

Of the 96 games played between the two, 72 have been held in Pittsburgh. Twenty-two have been played in State College. Two games, in 1900 and 1901, were played in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Pitt and Penn State are scheduled to renew their rivalry with a 2-game home-and-home series starting in 2016 and continuing in 2017. The first game of the series will be played at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, in 2016, with the second game taking place in 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College.

[edit] West Virginia

Main article: Penn State-West Virginia rivalry

First played in 1904, Penn State and West Virginia played every year from 1947 to 1992. The rivalry has been dormant since Penn State joined the Big Ten. Penn State leads the series 48-9-2.[29]

[edit] Maryland

Main article: Maryland-Penn State rivalry

This lop-sided rivalry was first played in 1917, and all but three years between 1960 and 1993, but has remained inactive since. As recently as October 2008, there have been inconclusive negotiations between the schools for a revival.[30] Penn State has a commanding 35-1-1 lead in the series.

[edit] Syracuse

With the exception of 1943, Penn State and Syracuse played every year from 1922 through 1990. However, the rivalry became dormant when Syracuse joined the Big East Conference and Penn State joined the Big Ten.

The rivalry was briefly renewed when the teams agreed to a two-game home-and-home series for 2008 and 2009. Penn State holds a 42-23-5 record in this series, after defeating Syracuse 28-7 at Beaver Stadium in 2009. The rivalry will be renewed in a 3 game series at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ from 2013–2015 and there are plans to do a home and home series in 2020 and 2021.[31][32][33]

[edit] Notre Dame

Penn State and Notre Dame first met in 1913 and played each other in 1925, 1926 and 1928. The two teams would not meet again until the 1976 Gator Bowl which Notre Dame won 20-9.

The series from 1981 through 1992 put the rivalry into focus on a national level.[citation needed] At the time, Penn State and Notre Dame were two of the few remaining Independent teams remaining in Division I FBS. It was also a very successful time for both programs, with Notre Dame winning a National Championship in 1988 and Penn State crowned National Champions in 1982 and 1986. In the 12-game series, Penn State held a 8-4-0 advantage including a 1990 win at Notre Dame Stadium where Penn State knocked off top-ranked Notre Dame with a last second field goal.[34]

The rivalry was briefly renewed with a home-and-home series in 2006 and 2007. Penn State evened the series to 9-9-1, after defeating Notre Dame 31-10 at Beaver Stadium, 2007 after being defeated in the previous year 41-17 at Notre Dame Stadium.[35]

[edit] Individual award winners

[edit] Players

John Cappelletti - 1973
Richie Lucas - 1959
Glenn Ressler - 1964
Mike Reid - 1969
John Cappelletti - 1973
Chuck Fusina - 1978
Kerry Collins - 1994
Larry Johnson - 2002
John Cappelletti - 1973
Larry Johnson - 2002
Kerry Collins - 1994
LaVar Arrington - 1999
Paul Posluszny - 2005, 2006
Dan Connor - 2007
Bobby Engram - 1994
LaVar Arrington - 1999
Paul Posluszny - 2005
A.Q. Shipley - 2008
Bruce Clark - 1978
Todd Blackledge - 1982
Kerry Collins - 1994
Mike Reid - 1969
Larry Johnson - 2002
Kerry Collins - 1994
Michael Robinson - 2005
Daryll Clark - 2009

[edit] Coaches

Rip Engle - 1969
Joe Paterno - 2002
Joe Paterno - 1981, 2005
Joe Paterno - 1978, 1982, 1986
Joe Paterno - 1990, 1994, 2005
Joe Paterno - 1986
Joe Paterno - 2005
Joe Paterno - 1972, 1994, 2005

[edit] Other awards

[edit] College Football Hall of Fame inductees

See also: College Football Hall of Fame

Including former head coach Joe Paterno, 22 Nittany Lion players and coaches have been selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.[36]

Name Position Year inducted
Hugo Bezdek Coach 1954
John Cappelletti Halfback 1993
Keith Dorney Offensive tackle 2005
Rip Engle Coach 1973
Jack Ham Linebacker 1990
Dick Harlow Coach 1954
Bob Higgins Coach 1954
Glenn Killinger Quarterback 1971
Ted Kwalick Tight end 1989
Richie Lucas Quarterback 1986
Pete Mauthe Fullback 1957
Shorty Miller Quarterback 1974
Lydell Mitchell Running back 2004
Dennis Onkotz Linebacker 1995
Joe Paterno Coach 2007
Mike Reid Defensive tackle 1987
Glenn Ressler Center/guard 2001
Dave Robinson End 1997
Steve Suhey Guard 1985
Dexter Very End 1976
Curt Warner Halfback 2009
Harry Wilson Halfback 1973

[edit] Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

See also: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Penn State is one of 11 schools with five or more inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[37]

Name Position NFL team(s) Year inducted
Jack Ham Linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers 1988
Franco Harris Running back Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks 1990
Mike Michalske Guard Green Bay Packers 1964
Lenny Moore Flanker/running back Baltimore Colts 1975
Mike Munchak Guard Houston Oilers 2001

[edit] Future schedules

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/01/2012 Ohio[38]* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/08/2012 at Virginia[39]* Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA    
09/15/2012 Navy* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/22/2012 Temple* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/29/2012 at Illinois Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Il    
10/06/2012 Northwesterndagger Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
10/20/2012 at Iowa Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA    
10/27/2012 Ohio State Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA (Ohio State - Penn State rivalry)    
11/3/2012 at Purdue Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN    
11/10/2012 at Nebraska Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE    
11/17/2012 Indiana Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
11/24/2012 Wisconsin Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
08/31/2013 vs. Syracuse[40]* Meadowlands Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ    
09/7/2013 Eastern Michigan* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/14/2013 Virginia* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/21/2013 Kent State* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
10/05/2013 at Indiana Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN    
10/12/2013 Michigan Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
10/26/2013 at Ohio State Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH (Ohio State - Penn State rivalry)    
11/02/2013 Illinois Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
11/09/2013 at Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN (Governor's Victory Bell)    
11/16/2013 Purdue Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
11/23/2013 Nebraska Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
11/30/2013 at Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
08/30/2014 Temple[41]* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/06/2014 Akron* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/13/2014 at Rutgers[42]* Rutgers Stadium • Piscataway, NJ    
09/20/2014 TBA* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/27/2014 Minnesota Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
10/11/2014 at Nebraska Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE    
10/18/2014 Indiana Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
10/25/2014 at Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI    
11/01/2014 at Purdue Ross-Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN    
11/15/2014 Ohio State Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA (Ohio State - Penn State rivalry)    
11/22/2014 at Illinois Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Il    
11/29/2014 Wisconsin Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/12/2015 Rutgers[42]* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
09/19/2015 at Temple[41]* Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/10/2016 at Pittsburgh* Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA    
09/17/2016 Temple[41]* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/17/2017 Pittsburgh* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/19/2020 Syracuse[40]* Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
09/18/2021 at Syracuse[40]* Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY    
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

[edit] Charity and awareness efforts

The Penn State football team has worked in coordination with Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness and funds for the Kidney Cancer Association. In 2003 the team turned their annual weight-lifting competition into a fund-raiser when a player’s father was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. The event that is now known as Lift for Life, has raised more than $225,000 since its inception.[43]

[edit] Penn State football radio affiliates

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Storied programs dominate Ladder 119's top rungs". ESPN. 2007-07-27. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2947988. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
  2. ^ Musselman, Ron (2007-10-27). "Penn State visit from No. 1". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07297/827943-143.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
  3. ^ Carey, Jack (2005-10-03). "Storied programs revive tradition". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2005-10-02-storied-programs_x.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
  4. ^ "Clark passes for 341 yards, 4 TDs as Penn State slams Spartans". Associated Press. 2008-11-22. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270213. Retrieved 2008-12-02. 
  5. ^ "Penn State hires Bill O'Brien as coach". ESPN.com. January 6, 2011. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7434520/penn-state-nittany-lions-officially-hires-bill-obrien-new-coach. Retrieved January 6, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Penn State Selects Bill O'Brien To Lead Football Program". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2012-01-07. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html. 
  7. ^ "Penn State Selects Bill O'Brien To Lead Football Program". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2012-01-07. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010612aab.html. 
  8. ^ "Ted Roof". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/roof_ted00.html. Retrieved 2012-01-21. 
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  44. ^ http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/footbl-radio-affiliates.html PSU Network Affiliates

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