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ESPN's [[College GameDay]] aired from State College, the second time in three seasons the show originated from Happy Valley for the visit by the [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Buckeyes]]. Despite the large crowd in the beginning, the stadium was completely empty save for a few Bucks fans by the end of the third quarter. This demoralizing extraordinarily one-sided blowout loss is said to have been traumatic for Penn State fans attending the game, much akin to open-heart surgery without an anesthetic. This loss was the worst loss that the Nittany Lions had suffered under Joe Paterno, even though the scoreboard doesn't quite reflect just how lopsided the game was.<ref name="osu gameday">{{cite web|title=ESPN's College GameDay To Originate from Penn State This Weekend|url=http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102207aad.html|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=2007-10-22|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref>
ESPN's [[College GameDay]] aired from State College, the second time in three seasons the show originated from Happy Valley for the visit by the [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Buckeyes]].<ref name="osu gameday">{{cite web|title=ESPN's College GameDay To Originate from Penn State This Weekend|url=http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102207aad.html|publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics|date=2007-10-22|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref>


{{seealso|2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
{{seealso|2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}

Revision as of 13:51, 11 April 2008

{{{year}}} [[{{{team}}} football]]
Ranking
CoachesNo. 25

The 2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2007 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Previous season

The 2006 season began with the Nittany Lions ranked #19 in the AP and Coaches preseason polls. The team dropped out of the rankings with losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State, but finished the season ranked #25 in the Coaches Poll and #24 in the AP Poll with a final record of 9-4, including a victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2007 Outback Bowl.

Preseason

Shortly after the end of the 2006 season, junior linebacker and 2006 Bednarik Award finalist Dan Connor announced he would remain at Penn State for his senior year.[1]

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Elijah Robinson was forced to give up football after being diagnosed with a tight spinal canal, a condition that could lead to paralysis if Robinson ever sustained a head impact that pinches the spinal cord.[2] Redshirt junior safety Spencer Ridenhour chose to transfer from Penn State, after being unable to win a starting position with returning safety Anthony Scirrotto and converted cornerback Tony Davis ahead of him on the depth charts.[3]

Seniors Dan Connor, Terrell Golden, and Anthony Morelli were elected tri-captains by their teammates prior to the season.[4]

Penn State was ranked #17 in the AP and #18 in the Coaches college football preseason polls.

Spring practice

Blue-White game with the VT block in the background

The public got their first look at the 2007 squad during the annual Blue-White Game at Beaver Stadium on April 21st, a 70-degree sun-splashed day. A record crowd of 71,000 turned out for the scrimmage, the third highest in the nation for a spring football game, and surpassing the previous record of 62,000 set in 1996.[5]

Thousands of fans in the huge crowd wore maroon and orange shirts, in tribute to the victims of the previous week's events at Virginia Tech, including a section of 800 fans that formed a large "VT" block.

The White team defeated the Blue team 30-6, led by junior quarterback Paul Cianciolo who ran for one touchdown and passed for two more, finishing 8-of-9 for 126 yards passing, and sophomore receiver Chris Bell who led all receivers with 116 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including a 74-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Daryll Clark.[6]

Criminal charges

On April 27, 2007, State College police announced that six members of the squad were charged with a range of criminal charges related to an altercation that occurred in an apartment in downtown State College earlier that month. The charges include burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault, and harassment, and players charged include junior safety Anthony Scirrotto, who led the Big Ten in 2006 with six interceptions and was named 2006 first-team All-Big Ten, and junior cornerback Justin King, named second-team All-Big Ten in 2006.[7] Charges against King were withdrawn before the preliminary hearing on May 4, 2007. After the hearing, charges against Jerome Hayes, Tyrell Sales and Lydell Sargeant were dismissed, citing weak evidence. However, Scirrotto and Chris Baker still face a possible trial in county court.[8]

Coach Paterno announced that, because of the incident, the entire football team will clean Beaver Stadium on Sundays after home games, a task usually handled by members of Penn State's club sports teams.[9] The team began serving this punishment following their 59-0 victory over Florida International. The players arrived at the stadium just prior to 8:00 a.m. and cleaned eight sections of the stadium. They were joined by members of various sports clubs and teams. The football team and other organizations worked together to clean the entire stadium.[10]

Penn State's Office of Judicial Affairs expelled Scirrotto, Baker, Sargeant and Hayes for the second summer semester, but all four players were allowed to return to campus on August 6 for preseason workouts. Sargeant and his family requested formal Judicial Affairs hearings to appeal the decision.[11]

Charges of burglary, simple assault and criminal solicitation against Scirrotto were subsequently dismissed by Centre County Presiding Judge, Charles C. Brown, Jr., but a felony charge of criminal trespass and a summary offense of harassment are still pending.[12] Trials for Scirrotto and Baker are scheduled for December.[13]

Recruiting class

The Nittany Lions received 21 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 7, 2007.

US college sports recruiting information for recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Drew Astorino
DB 		Edinboro, PA General McLane HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.44 Jan 31, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Quinn Barham
OG 		Durham, NC Hillside HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 5.20 Aug 11, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Ryan Breen
P 		Clarkston, MI Clarkston HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.75 Jun 24, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Chris Colasanti
LB 		Bloomfield, MI Brother Rice HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.60 Apr 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Andrew Dailey
LB 		Massillon, OH Washington HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.60 Jul 28, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Jon Ditto
TE 		Monroeville, PA Gateway SHS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 4.60 Jun 8, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Stephfon Green
CB 		Bronx, NY John F. Kennedy HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.30 Jul 17, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Kevion Latham
DE 		Greensboro, NC Page HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.60 Jul 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Josh Marks
OT 		Catawissa, PA Southern Columbia Area HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 285 lb (129 kg) 5.30 May 19, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Nerraw McCormack
OT 		Garden City, NY Nassau 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.15 Jan 4, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NA
Derek Moye
WR 		Rochester, PA Rochester Area HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 4.65 Jan 25, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Chimaeze Okoli
DT 		Virginia Beach, VA Salem HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 5.00 Feb 2, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Ako Poti
OT 		San Francisco, CA CC of San Francisco 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 300 lb (140 kg) NA Dec 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NA
Chaz Powell
CB 		Glen Rock, PA Susquehannock HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.44 Jun 24, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Devon Still
DT 		Wilmington, DE Howard HS of Technology 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) 4.90 Jan 24, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Nathan Stupar
LB 		State College, PA State College Area HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.61 May 24, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Joe Suhey
S 		Wilmette, IL Loyola Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.60 Dec 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Nick Sukay
S 		Greensburg, PA Greensburg Central Catholic HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.49 Jun 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Andrew Szczerba
TE 		Wilmington, DE Salesianum School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 250 lb (110 kg) 4.90 Aug 13, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
J.B. Walton
OG 		New Berlin, NY Milford Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 4.90 Jan 17, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 86
Stefen Wisniewski
OG 		Pittsburgh, PA Central Catholic HS 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 5.10 Dec 2, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 18   Rivals: 23
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Penn State Commit List for 2007". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Penn State". Scout.com. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  • "RecruitTracker 2007: Penn State". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2007-02-07.

Award watchlists

Template:Multicol

Fred Biletnikoff Award watchlist[14]
Maxwell Award watchlist[15]
Lombardi Award watchlist[16] and semifinalist[17]
Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist,[18] semifinalist,[19] and finalist[20]
Dick Butkus Award watchlist,[21] semifinalist[22] and finalist[23]
Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist[24]
Lott Trophy watchlist[18]
Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist[25]
Ted Hendricks Award finalist[26]

Template:Multicol-break

Jim Thorpe Award watchlist[27]
Davey O'Brien Award watchlist[28]
Manning Award watchlist[28]
John Mackey Award watchlist[29]
Dave Rimington Trophy watchlist[30]
Fred Biletnikoff Award watchlist[14]

Template:Multicol-end

Preseason awards

Template:Multicol

  • Jeremy Boone
Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award[31]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]
  • Gerald Cadogan
Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award[31]
First-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-American[32]
First-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-American[33]
First-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]
  • Devin Fentress
Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award[31]
  • Kevin Kelly
Third-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]

Template:Multicol-break

Third-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
  • Rich Ohrnberger
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
First-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]
  • A.J. Wallace
Third-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten[32]
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten[33]

Template:Multicol-end

Schedule

Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Northwestern and Minnesota this year.

09/01/200712:00 p.m.Florida International*No. 18

BTNW 59–0 107,678 09/08/20076:00 p.m.Notre Dame*No. 15

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

ESPNW 31–10 110,078 09/15/200712:00 p.m.Buffalo*No. 12

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

BTNW 45–24 107,506 09/22/20073:30 p.m.at MichiganNo. 10

ABC National
(ESPN in Ohio and Chicago)L 9–14 111,310 09/29/200712:00 p.m.at IllinoisNo. 19

BTNL 20–27 57,078 10/06/20073:30 p.m.Iowa

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

ABC Regional
(ESPN2 in other markets)W 27–7 108,951 10/13/20073:30 p.m.No. 15 Wisconsindagger

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

ABC Regional
(ESPN in other markets)W 38–7 109,574 10/20/200712:00 p.m.at IndianaNo. 25

ESPNW 36–31 41,251 10/27/20078:00 p.m.No. 1 Ohio StateNo. 22

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

ABC NationalL 37–17 110,134 11/03/200712:00 p.m.Purdue

  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA

ESPNW 26–19 108,318 11/10/200712:00 p.m.at Temple*No. 25

ESPNUW 31–0 69,029 11/17/20073:30 p.m.at Michigan StateNo. 22

ABC Regional
(ESPN in other markets)L 35–31 72,251 12/29/20078:00 p.m.vs. Texas A&M

ESPNW 24–17 66,166

Template:CFB Schedule End

Coaching staff

Coaching changes

Defensive backs coach Brian Norwood left the staff at the conclusion of the regular season to accept the defensive coordinator position at Baylor. Former Coordinator of Player Personnel Kermit Buggs was named his replacement and assumed coaching duties prior to the Nittany Lions' postseason appearance in the Alamo Bowl.[34]

Game notes

September 1: Florida International

1 2 3 4 Total
FIU 0 0 0 0 0
Penn State 14 10 28 7 59
Penn State fullback Dan Lawlor hurdles a defender to score a touchdown in the 2007 season opener.

The Nittany Lions shut out the Golden Panthers in their first-ever meeting. Quarterback Anthony Morelli was 23 of 38 for 295 yards, with touchdown passes to Terrell Golden, Mickey Shuler, Jr., and Matt Hahn. The running backs scored five touchdowns, including two by Austin Scott.

Led by linebackers Dan Connor and Sean Lee, the defensive unit forced five turnovers and held FIU to -3 yards rushing.[35]

Lee was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[36]

September 8: Notre Dame

1 2 3 4 Total
Notre Dame 7 0 3 0 10
Penn State 7 7 10 7 31
The first stadium-wide White-Out for the Notre Dame game

In front of a crowd of 110,078 spectators, the second-largest ever at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions overpowered an inexperienced Fighting Irish team in a 31-10 win. Derrick Williams returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown to start Penn State's scoring, after the Irish took a 7-0 lead on an interception return for a touchdown. Austin Scott rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Anthony Morelli finished 12 of 21 for 131 yards, including a 51 yard strike to Chris Bell and a 10 yard touchdown to Jordan Norwood.

Led by Dan Connor, the defense sacked the Irish's highly touted freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen six times for -50 yards. The defensive unit held the Irish to zero rushing yards and just 144 yards total. The Irish committed 14 penalties for 97 yards, partly due to the loud, mostly white-clad crowd.[37]

Recording 12 tackles, Connor was selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week[38] as well as Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.[39] Derrick Williams' punt return for a touchdown was selected the week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance in a landslide vote.[40]

See also: 2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

September 15: Buffalo

1 2 3 4 Total
Buffalo 3 0 0 21 24
Penn State 0 17 14 14 45

Backup tailback Rodney Kinlaw had his first 100-yard game, tallying a career-high 129 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown after replacing starter Austin Scott, who fumbled on each of Penn State's first two drives. Scott's first fumble at the Penn State 8-yardline allowed the Bulls to take the lead, 3-0.

After a slow start, quarterback Anthony Morelli finished 20 of 27 for 202 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, including two to tight end Andrew Quarless, who was playing in his first game this season after being suspended for an underage drinking citation. Jordan Norwood's acrobatic 5-yard touchdown catch was highlighted as the Top Play for September 15, 2007 on ESPN's SportsCenter. Early in the fourth quarter, Penn State brought in its second string players, which allowed Buffalo to score three times, while the second string players also managed to score twice.

On defense, Dan Connor and Sean Lee each recorded 12 tackles. Safety Anthony Scirrotto also recorded an interception and recovered a fumble forced by Tony Davis.[41]

See also: 2007 Buffalo Bulls football team

September 22: Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 3 3 3 9
Michigan 7 0 0 7 14

The Wolverines defeated the Nittany Lions 14-9, their first loss of the season. Michigan's Mike Hart carried the ball a record 44 times for 153 yards, helping the Wolverines control the clock and execute 26 more plays than Penn State.

The Nittany Lions defense permitted only three drives above 40 yards, forced two turnovers and limited Hart to 3.5 yards per carry, but the Wolverines were 10 of 18 on third down conversions. Sean Lee finished with 12 tackles, and cornerback Lydell Sargeant made a career-high 10 tackles including a tackle for loss and an interception.

Anthony Morelli was 15 of 31 for 169 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, but lost a fumble early in the game on the Penn State 10-yard line. Michigan needed only two plays to convert the turnover into a touchdown.[42]

See also: 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team

September 29: Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 10 7 3 0 20
Illinois 14 7 3 3 27

The Nittany Lions fell 27-20 to the Fighting Illini in a turnover-filled game, Illinois's first win over a ranked opponent since 2001. The Illini would take a 7-3 lead on a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the first given up by Penn State since 1994.

Quarterback Anthony Morelli was 21 of 38 for a career-high 298 yards but was intercepted three times inside the Illinois 30-yard line. Morelli also had a crucial fumble on a fourth down scramble after appearing to have enough yards for the first down. The offense started five drives in Illinois territory but could only score three points on those drives.

The defense struggled early to defend the Illini's option running game, giving up 216 yards rushing. Linebacker Sean Lee recorded a career-high 17 tackles. Justin King and Tony Davis each intercepted the ball once, the second of the season for both players.[43]

See also: 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

October 6: Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total
Iowa 0 0 0 7 7
Penn State 0 13 7 7 27

Quarterback Anthony Morelli overcame first-half boos from the Beaver Stadium crowd to finish 18 of 31 for 233 yards and a touchdown in a much-needed 27-7 win over the Hawkeyes. Rodney Kinlaw, playing in place of suspended tailback Austin Scott, ran for a career-high 168 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Evan Royster had 86 yards on 16 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury.

Placekicker Kevin Kelly connected on 2 of 3 field goals, including a personal-best 53-yarder. Deon Butler led Nittany Lions receivers with 3 catches for 55 yards. Maurice Evans and Aaron Maybin each sacked Iowa's Jake Christensen twice, and the Hawkeyes were held scoreless until Trey Stross caught an 11-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.[44]

See also: 2007 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

October 13: Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total
Wisconsin 7 0 0 0 7
Penn State 10 14 7 7 38

Penn State capitalized on early turnovers by the Badgers, including a P.J. Hill fumble on the first play from scrimmage, to take control of the game early.

Quarterback Anthony Morelli completed 16 of 28 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions. Tailbacks Rodney Kinlaw and Evan Royster each scored touchdowns while rushing for 115 and 68, respectively. Wide receiver Deon Butler caught seven passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Backup quarterback Daryll Clark, who saw playing time on mop-up duty, scored on a 1-yard run. The Penn State defense intercepted Badgers quarterback Tyler Donovan twice. Linebackers Sean Lee and Dan Connor each ended with 12 tackles.[45] The Lions were only penalized once for 10 yards, continuing their streak as the Big Ten's least-penalized team.[46]

Defensive end Jerome Hayes was lost for the season after tearing his ACL in the third quarter.[47]

See also: 2007 Wisconsin Badgers football team

October 20: Indiana

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 20 3 13 36
Indiana 7 7 3 14 31

The Penn State defense, despite giving up 386 total yards, forced four second-half Hoosiers turnovers, including two forced fumbles by defensive end Maurice Evans who scooped up one fumble and returned it 55 yards. Although the Hoosiers had the lead early on, the Nittany Lions took the lead in the final minute of the first half. Penn State held off an Indiana comeback in the fourth quarter, ensuring the continuation of their perfect record over the Hoosiers.

On offense, Anthony Morelli finished 22 of 32 for 195 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Jordan Norwood led all receivers with 8 receptions for 65 yards.[48]

Evans was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. In addition to his two forced fumbles, he also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.[49]

Defensive tackle Jared Odrick left the game with a broken ankle, and fullback Matt Hahn left with a torn ACL. Both are out for the season.

October 27: Ohio State

1 2 3 4 Total
Ohio State 10 7 7 13 37
Penn State 7 0 3 7 17

ESPN's College GameDay aired from State College, the second time in three seasons the show originated from Happy Valley for the visit by the Buckeyes.[50]

See also: 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

November 3: Purdue

1 2 3 4 Total
Purdue 10 0 6 3 19
Penn State 3 10 0 13 26

In his final Beaver Stadium performance, linebacker Dan Connor made 11 tackles against the Boilermakers to give him 379 career stops and became Penn State's all-time tackler, passing Paul Posluszny (372).

Senior Anthony Morelli was 22 of 35 for 210 yards and a touchdown, giving him 2,060 yards passing for the season. With 2,424 passing yards last season, Morelli became the first Nittany Lion quarterback with at least 2,000 passing yards in multiple seasons.

Redshirt freshman tailback Evan Royster recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 126 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. Derrick Williams also made a career-high 10 receptions for 95 yards and rushed for 12 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a career-high 151 all-purpose yards.[51]

Linebacker Sean Lee was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Lee finished with 12 tackles and two forced fumbles, including a game-changing play late in the first quarter. On third-and-goal from the one yard line, Lee stripped and recovered the football to halt a potential Purdue scoring drive.[52]

See also: 2007 Purdue Boilermakers football team

November 10: Temple

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 14 3 0 14 31
Temple 0 0 0 0 0

Senior tailback Rodney Kinlaw eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark as the Nittany Lions shut out the Owls for the second consecutive year. Kinlaw tied his career-high 168 yards and also caught a career-high five passes for 27 yards.

Anthony Morelli was 22 of 33 for 260 yards with three touchdowns, two of them to Jordan Norwood. Derrick Williams had a game-high seven receptions for a career-high 104 yards, and teammate Deon Butler made five receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.

The Nittany Lions defense posted its fourth shut-out in 17 games, led by Dan Connor who tied his career-high of 18 tackles and Sean Lee who had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.[53]

For the second time this season, Connor was selected the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week[54] as well as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.[55]

November 17: Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 7 10 7 7 31
Michigan State 7 0 14 14 35

The game proved to be an offensive game throughout with Michigan State scoring in the first quarter. Penn State answered with a touchdown, tying the score. A second quarter field goal increased the lead to 10-7 followed by another touchdown. The Nittany Lions led at halftime 17-7. Kevin Kelly's 5-yard touchdown run during a third quarter fake field goal put the Nittany Lions ahead, 24-7. But four touchdowns in the second half put the Spartans back on top. Down 35-31 in the game's final minutes, Anthony Morelli threw four consecutive incompletions.

The victory helped Michigan State clinch a bowl game with 7 wins.

See also: 2007 Michigan State Spartans football team and Land Grant Trophy

December 29: 2007 Alamo Bowl - Texas A&M

1 2 3 4 Total
Penn State 0 17 7 0 24
Texas A&M 14 0 3 0 17
Main article: 2007 Alamo Bowl

Penn State rallied from a 14-0 first quarter deficit to win 24-17 on the strength of the running game provided by the offensive line and Rodney Kinlaw, Daryll Clark and Evan Royster. The defense came up with a key goal line stand in the fourth quarter stopping an option play on fourth and goal from inside the five yard line.

See also: 2007 Texas A&M Aggies football team

Team statistics

Team Opp
Scoring 394 228
  Points per Game 30.3 17.5
First Downs 289 228
  Rushing 144 78
  Passing 133 136
  Penalty 12 14
Total Offense 5201 4007
  Avg per Play 5.5 4.5
  Avg per Game 400.1 308.2
Fumbles-Lost 26-16 32-17
Penalties-Yards 58-446 68-596
  Avg per Game 34.3 45.8
Team Opp
Punts-Yards 60-2573 81-3397
  Avg per Punt 42.9 41.9
Time of Possession/Game 30:52 28:56
3rd Down Conversions 89/194 73/202
4th Down Conversions 11/14 7/17
Touchdowns Scored 48 27
Red-Zone Scores 53-59 27-39
Field Goals-Attempts 20-26 13-19
PAT-Attempts 46-48 27-27
Attendance 762419 350919
Alamo Bowl Attendance 66166
  Games/Avg per Game 7/108917 5/70184
Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total
PSU 72 131 92 99 0 394
Opponent 86 21 39 82 0 228

Individual statistics

Offense

Rushing

Name # GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Rodney Kinlaw 20 13 243 1362 33 1329 5.5 10 38 102.2
Evan Royster 22 11 82 518 5 513 6.3 5 38 46.6
Austin Scott 33 5 69 320 18 302 4.4 6 40 60.4
Derrick Williams 2 13 16 109 8 101 6.3 1 23 7.8
Matt Hahn 34 8 15 82 0 82 5.5 1 15 10.2
Daryll Clark 17 8 12 80 2 78 6.5 2 17 9.8
Brent Carter 32 10 11 43 0 43 3.9 0 9 2.2
Dan Lawlor 38 8 9 37 0 37 4.1 1 16 4.6
Nick Pinchek 39 3 8 36 0 36 4.5 0 14 12.0
Jordan Norwood 24 13 4 23 0 23 5.8 0 13 1.8
Kevin Kelly 23 13 1 5 0 5 5.0 1 5 0.4
Larry Federoff 44 7 2 2 0 2 1.0 0 1 0.3
Deon Butler 3 13 1 0 11 -11 -11.0 0 0 -0.8
Anthony Morelli 14 13 48 119 132 -13 -0.3 0 28 -1.0
Team Total 13 528 2736 217 2519 4.8 27 40 193.8

Passing

Name # GP Effic Cmp-Atm-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/G
Anthony Morelli 14 13 124.2 234-402-10 58.2 2651 19 52 203.8
Daryll Clark 17 8 95.6 6-9-0 66.7 31 0 10 3.9
Derrick Williams 2 13 0.0 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Pat Devlin 7 4 0.0 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Team Total 13 122.4 240-415-10 57.8 2682 19 52 206.3

Receiving

Name # GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
Derrick Williams 2 13 55 529 9.6 3 52 40.7
Deon Butler 3 13 47 633 13.5 4 45 48.7
Jordan Norwood 24 13 40 484 12.1 5 43 37.2
Terrell Golden 4 13 30 345 11.5 3 32 26.5
Rodney Kinlaw 20 13 21 128 6.1 0 21 9.8
Andrew Quarless 10 11 14 205 14.6 2 30 18.6
Matt Hahn 34 8 9 47 5.2 1 11 5.9
Chris Bell 19 12 7 143 20.4 0 51 11.9
Mickey Shuler 82 13 7 91 13.0 1 19 7.0
Evan Royster 22 11 3 18 6.0 0 16 1.6
Austin Scott 33 5 2 12 6.0 0 13 2.4
Brett Bracket 83 13 1 16 16.0 0 16 1.2
James McDonald 8 4 1 10 10.0 0 10 2.5
Dan Lawlor 38 8 1 9 9.0 0 9 1.1
Graham Zug 5 3 1 8 8.0 0 8 2.7
A. Q. Shipley 57 13 1 4 4.0 0 4 0.3
Total 13 240 2682 11.2 19 52 206.3

Defense

Name # GP Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles
Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds No-Yds Br
Up		 PD Int.-Yds TD Int. - Long Rcv-Yds FF Safety
Dan Connor 40 13 69 76 145 15.0-63 6.5-50 6 7 1-2 0 0 2-0 0 0
Sean Lee 45 13 54 84 138 10.5-34 3.5-23 8 9 1-0 0 0 3-10 3 0
Lydell Sargeant 10 13 44 26 70 1.5-3 0-0 3 5 2-34 0 31 0-0 0 0
Anthony Scirrotto 7 13 28 37 65 1.0-2 0-0 3 6 3-98 0 53 1-10 0 0
Maurice Evans 48 13 31 23 54 21.5-117 12.5-94 3 3 0-0 0 0 1-55 5 0
Tyrell Sales 46 13 19 31 50 5.5-21 3.0-19 0 0 0-0 0 0 1-0 1 0
Justin King 1 13 36 13 49 0-0 0-0 15 17 2-6 0 6 1-0 0 0
Josh Gaines 47 13 17 23 40 5.0-21 2.5-16 1 1 0-0 0 0 0-0 1 0
Chris Baker 93 12 16 21 37 8.0-45 4.5-37 2 2 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
A.J. Wallace 12 13 22 11 33 0-0 0-0 2 3 0-0 0 0 3-0 0 0
Mark Rubin 9 13 17 15 32 1.0-1 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Tony Davis 11 11 19 10 29 0-0 0-0 2 3 1-2 0 2 0-0 2 0
Phillip Taylor 90 12 12 8 20 6.5-26 3.0-18 0 0 0-0 0 0 2-0 0 0
Ollie Ogbu 85 13 9 9 18 10.0-29 1.0-3 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 1 0
Josh Hull 43 13 6 12 18 0.5-1 0-0 1 1 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Jerome Hayes 5 7 10 7 17 3.0-14 2.5-13 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Navarro Bowman 18 9 4 12 16 2.5-10 1.0-6 1 1 0-0 0 0 1-0 1 0
Jared Odrick 91 8 8 8 16 4.0-15 2.0-11 1 1 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Aaron Maybin 59 13 8 4 11 4.5-34 4.0-32 1 1 0-0 0 0 0-0 1 0
Jason Ganter 42 12 7 2 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Abe Koroma 97 9 1 6 7 0.5-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 1-0 0 0
Dontey Brown 52 3 4 2 6 0.5-2 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Bani Gdadyu 15 13 2 4 6 1.0-1 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Brendan Perretta 25 8 2 3 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Knowledge Timmons 21 10 3 2 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Willie Harriot 6 7 4 0 4 0-0 0-0 1 1 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Cedric Jeffries 29 12 2 2 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Devin Fentress 20 5 3 0 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Larry Federoff 44 7 2 1 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 1 0
Kevin Kelly 23 13 3 0 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Chris Colasanti 53 7 1 2 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Brett Brackett 83 13 2 1 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 1 0
Tom Golarz 94 7 0 2 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Terrell Golden 4 13 2 0 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Chris Bell 19 12 0 1 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Andrew Quarless 11 10 1 0 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Chris Rogers 87 4 0 1 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Jordan Norwood 24 13 1 0 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Rodney Kinlaw 20 13 1 0 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0
Brent Carter 32 10 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0-0 0 0 1-0 0 0
Total 13 471 460 931 102-439 46-322 52 63 11-142 1 53 17-75 17 0

Special teams

Kicking

Name # Punting Kicking
No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ Blkd No. Yds Avg TB OB FG XP
Jeremy Boone 41 59 2538 43.0 70 5 14 25 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kevin Kelly 23 1 35 35.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 78 5041 64.6 21 1 20-26 44-45
Collin Wagner 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2-2
Total 60 2573 42.9 70 5 14 26 12 0 78 5041 64.5 21 1 20-26 46-47

Returns

Name # Punt Returns Kick Returns
No. Yds Avg TD Long No. Yds Avg TD Long
Derrick Williams 2 23 254 11.0 1 78 13 237 18.2 0 24
Anthony Scirrotto 7 5 35 7.0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0
Brendan Perretta 25 1 2 2.0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
A.J. Walllace 12 0 0 0 0 0 22 581 26.4 1 97
Rodney Kinlaw 20 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 18.0 0 18
Jerome Hayes 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 22 11.0 0 10
Devin Fentress 20 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1.0 0 1
Jed Hill 54 0 0 0 0 0 2 16 8.0 0 5
Matt Hahn 34 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 8.0 0 8
Total 29 291 10.0 1 78 42 883 21.0 1 97

Post season

Penn State finished the season ranked #25 in the final USA Today college football poll, earning Penn State its 33rd Top 25 finish under Joe Paterno.[56]

Penn State finished second in football attendance for the fifth time this decade and in the top four for the 17th consecutive year, averaging 108,917 for seven home games, including two primetime crowds of 110,134 on October 27 to watch Penn State host Ohio State, the second-largest in Beaver Stadium history, and 110,078 on September 8 to watch Penn State beat Notre Dame, the third-largest in Beaver Stadium history. Penn State finished the season with a sellout crowd of 66,166 at the Alamo Bowl.[57]

In January, junior cornerback Justin King announced that he was going to declare for the 2008 NFL Draft, skipping his final year of eligibility. King had graduated the previous semester with a degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in sports management. According to King's stepfather and high school coach, "He wanted to get an education and a degree from Penn State, which he did. He wanted to help turn Penn State around, and he did that, too."[58]

Three players were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, held February 20-26 in Indianapolis, IN: Dan Connor, Justin King, and Anthony Morelli.[59]

Awards

Template:Multicol

First-team All-Big Ten[60]
ESPN All-Big Ten Team[61]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[62]
CoSIDA Academic All-American[63]
2007 Bednarik Award winner[64]
First-team Walter Camp All-American[64]
First-team Associated Press All-American[65]
First-team ESPN All-American[66]
Second-team Sporting News All-American[67]
Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 8)[39]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 8)[38]
Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 10)[54]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 10)[55]
First-team All-Big Ten[60]
ESPN All-Big Ten Team[61]
Under Armour Award (Most Valuable Player, 2008 Senior Bowl North team)[68]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 20)[49]
First-team All-Big Ten[60]
First-team All-Big Ten[60]
First-team Pro Football Weekly All-American[69]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 1)[36]
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3)[52]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[62]
Second-team All-Big Ten[60]
ESPN.com All-Bowl Team[70]

Template:Multicol-break

Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten[71]
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award[60]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[62]
Second-team All-Big Ten[60]
Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten[71]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[62]
First-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)[60]
ESPN All-Big Ten Team[61]
ESPN.com All-Bowl Team[70]
Pontiac Game Changing Performance (Sep. 8)[40]
Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten[71]

Template:Multicol-end

All-star games

Game Date Site Players
82nd East-West Shrine Game January 19, 2008 Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas Anthony Morelli
59th Senior Bowl January 26, 2008 Ladd Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama Dan Connor
2nd Texas vs. The Nation Game February 2, 2008 Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas Rodney Kinlaw

External links

References

  1. ^ "All-American Connor Returning To Penn State For Senior Season". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-01-12. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  2. ^ "Spinal Condition Ends Guard Robinson's Career". Fight On State. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  3. ^ "End of the Ride". Fight On State. 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  4. ^ "Trio of Nittany Lions to Serve as Captains for 2007 Seaso". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  5. ^ "Blue-White Game Record Crowd One of Only Three Above 55,000 For Spring Football Contest". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
  6. ^ "Record Crowd Of 71,000 Turns Out For Penn State Blue-White Game". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  7. ^ "Six Nittany Lions face felony charges". Centre Daily Times. 2007-04-27. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  8. ^ Bosak, Pete (2007-05-04). "Scirrotto, Baker face possible trial; charges against 3 players thrown out, charges withdrawn against King". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  9. ^ Wetzel, Dan (2007-05-22). "Taking out the trash". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  10. ^ Musselman, Ron. "Nittany Lions: Stadium heroes to stadium sweepers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  11. ^ Bosak, Pete (2007-06-20). "Players accept sanctions". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  12. ^ "Scirrotto down to just two charges". Altoona Mirror. 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  13. ^ Musselman, Ron (2007-09-20). "Trials for Penn State football players postponed". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
  14. ^ a b "Butler and Williams Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  15. ^ "2007 Maxwell Award Watch List". PAC 10 Conference. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  16. ^ "2007 Contenders". Rotary Lombardi Award. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  17. ^ "Connor a semifinalist for Lombardi Award". The Pennsylvania State University. 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  18. ^ a b "Connor Among Candidates for Bednarik Award & Lott Trophy". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  19. ^ "Connor Named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
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  21. ^ "Connor Among Candidates for 2007 Butkus Award". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  22. ^ "Connor Named A Butkus Award Semifinalist". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
  23. ^ "Connor Named a Butkus Award Finalist". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  24. ^ "Connor Among Candidates For Bronko Nagurski Trophy". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  25. ^ "Connor Among Semifinalists for Walter Camp Player of the Year". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  26. ^ "MEvans Finalist for National DE Honor". Fight On State. 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  27. ^ ">"The Jim Thorpe Award 2007 Watch List". Jim Thorpe Association. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
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  29. ^ "Quarless Named to Mackey Award Watch List". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  30. ^ "Rimington Trophy Releases 2007 Spring Watch List". CSTV Networks. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  31. ^ a b c "Eight Nittany Lions selected Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars". Penn State Live. 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
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  34. ^ "Buggs Named Nittany Lions' Safeties Coach". Penn State Department of Incollegiate Athletics. 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  35. ^ "Morelli's Career Day Paces Nittany Lions to 59-0 Win Over FIU". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  36. ^ a b "MSU's Caulcrick, UW's Donovan, PSU's Lee and PU's Bryant Earn First Weekly Honors of 2007 football Season". Big Ten Conference. 2007-09-03. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
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  40. ^ a b "Williams Earns Second Career Pontiac Game Changing Performance in a Landslide". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  41. ^ "Nittany Lions Take the Bulls by the Horns, 45-24". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-09-15. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
  42. ^ "Nittany Lions Edged By Michigan, 14-9". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  43. ^ "Nittany Lions Fall at Illinois, 27-20". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
  44. ^ "Penn State shuts down Iowa". The Sporting News. 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  45. ^ "Nittany Lions hand No. 19 Badgers second straight loss". espn.com. 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  46. ^ ""Notes from the Cuff". Penn State Alumni Association. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  47. ^ "Hayes To Miss Remainder of Season With Knee Injury". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  48. ^ "Nittany Lions Hold On For Road Victory, 36-31". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-10-20. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
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  55. ^ a b "Illinois, Indiana, Penn State and Wisconsin Collect Weekly Football Awards". Big Ten Conference. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
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  59. ^ "NFL Scouting Combine player list". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
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  62. ^ a b c d "Quartet of Nittany Lions Selected to Academic All-District Football Team". Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
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  71. ^ a b c "2007 Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten Team". Big Ten Network. 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
Preceded by Penn State Nittany Lions football team
2007 season 		Succeeded by
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