2009 PennState Nittany Lions Fans

[ratpenat]

Hey fellow Nittany Lions Fans and Alumni....its that time of the year again, when Joe Pa and the blue and white take the field in the shadows of Mt. Nittany on Fall Saturdays. After a successful 2008, this season looks to be interesting with many question marks at defensive end, the secondary, wide receiver, and the offensive line where many starters have moved on to the NFL. The good news is we return Sean Lee, Daryll Clark, Stephon Wisniewski, Navarro Bowman, Evan Royster, and Stephon Green which should hold for steady leadership. On the recruiting side it has been great to see PSU go back to taking recruits from PITT in W. Pennsylvania. This is thanks to Tom Bradley, who without a doubt will have our defense ready and competitive.

So..........lets get it started in here ......... We Are...................................PennState!!! !!!!!!!

If God isn´t a PennState Fan, then why is the sky blue and white??????

Good Luck Lions!!!!!!

Ratpenat, PSU, B.A. in Spanish, Class of 1995




2009 PennState Nittany Lion Schedule

Date Opponent Time (CET) TV

9/05 Akron W 31-7
9/12 Syracuse W 28-7
9/19 Temple W 31-6
9/26 Iowa L 21-10
10/03 @ Illinois W 35-17
10/10 Eastern Illinois W 52-3
10/17 Minnesota W 20-0
10/24 @ Michigan W 35-10
10/31 @ Northwestern W 34-13
11/07 Ohio State L 24-7
11/14 Indiana W 31-20
11/21 @ Michigan State W 42-14

Big Ten Record: 6-2
Overall Record: 10-2

Bowl: Jan. 1, 2010 1 P.M. (19:00 CET) Capital One Bowl vs. LSU

Final Record:
Final Ranking:

[AlexOvechkin]

Looking forward to the new season

[ratpenat]

2009 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Preview

2008 Record: (11-2, 7-1)
2008 Bowl: Rose Bowl vs. USC (L 38-24)

Coach: Joe Paterno (383-127-3 at Penn State, 383-127-3 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Galen Hall
Defensive Coordinator: Tom Bradley

Returning Leaders

•Rushing: Evan Royster, RB, 1,236 yards
•Passing: Daryll Clark, QB, 2,592 yards
•Receiving: Stephon Green, RB, 268 yards
•Tackles: Navorro Bowman, LB, 106 yards
•Sacks: Jared Odrick, DT, 4.5
•Interceptions: Drew Astorino, S, 2
Other Key Returnees: P Jeremy Boone, LB Josh Hull, OT Dennis Landolt, DT Ollie Ogbu, TE Mickey Shuler, G Stefen Wisniewski

Key Losses: WR Deon Butler, OT Gerald Cadogan, CB Tony Davis, DE Maurice Evans, DE Josh Gaines, DE Aaron Maybin, WR Jordan Norwood, G Rich Ohrnberger, S Mark Rubin, LB Tyrell Sales, CB Lydell Sargeant, S Anthony Scirrotto, C A.Q. Shipley, WR Derrick Williams

Penn State was one field goal away from going to the BCS National Championship game. In November the Nittany Lions lost by one point in Iowa and that was the only blemish on their schedule until they had the misfortune of running into USC at the Rose Bowl. There is some work to be done on both sides of the ball, but Penn State should be in the mix for another trip to the Rose Bowl.

Penn State surely leads the Big Ten in optimism heading into the 2009 season. Even after a lopsided loss to USC in the Rose Bowl and a harsh winter in which they said goodbye to a batch of veterans, the Nittany Lions are still talking national championship.

“That’s been motivation,” quarterback Daryll Clark says, “The national championship is going to be out at the Rose Bowl this year, and that’s everyone’s goal. We’ve gotten a lot of the young guys in tune with what we’re trying to accomplish this year, and it showed in winter workouts.”

Maybe so, but it’s a long way from the weight room to the White House, and the last time the Lions received a presidential invite, it was from Ronald Reagan. So a little skepticism is warranted.

Or, for that matter, a lot of skepticism. Many of the players who led Penn State to the Big Ten championship in 2008 are now toiling in NFL training camps. All-time PSU receiving leader Deon Butler? Gone. Big Ten sack leader Aaron Maybin? Gone. Big Ten career kick-scoring leader Kevin Kelly? All-America center A.Q. Shipley? Team captain Derrick Williams? Gone, gone and gone.

So how are the Lions supposed to surpass, match or even approach last year’s 11–2 finish? By leaning heavily on Clark. The sixth-year senior is just the sort of guy you want in charge of a young-ish team — resourceful, accurate, confident and charismatic. The bad news is that he can’t play cornerback. Or defensive end. Or placekicker. Or… you get the idea.

“We’ve lost some kids,” acknowledges Joe Paterno, back for his 44th season after signing a three-year contract extension in December. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. But I don’t think it’s a situation where we can’t be a good football team.”

Quarterbacks

Clark is the Lions’ unquestioned leader going into his second and final season as a starter. He can throw (2,592 passing yards, 19 touchdowns in 2008), and he can run (282 rushing yards, 10 TDs). He’s careful with the football, having thrown only six interceptions in 357 career passing attempts, and yet he isn’t afraid to improvise, a talent that should serve him well now that veteran tackle Gerald Cadogan is no longer protecting his blind side. Clark’s marvelous junior season did have one drawback — it led to the departure of backup Pat Devlin. Devlin transferred to Delaware in the offseason, and now the Lions have two freshmen as backups: blue-chip recruit Kevin Newsome and walk-on Matt McGloin. If Clark goes down — and he’s been concussion-prone — fans will need to adjust their expectations.

Running backs

Junior Evan Royster reportedly looked fine in spring practice, rebounding smartly after being forced out of the Rose Bowl with an ankle sprain. Royster, who rushed for 1,236 yards as a sophomore, doesn’t have game-breaking speed, but his moves and vision — refined during his days as a high school lacrosse star — are unsurpassed. The 6'1", 209-pounder rarely takes a tackler’s best shot. Backup Stephfon Green does have game-breaking speed, but he didn’t play as much as he’d hoped last fall after a hype-laden preseason. Worse, he suffered two broken bones (ankle, leg) in the Rose Bowl and sat out spring practice. But he’s got three more years to make good on all the praise he was receiving a year ago. And if he’s back at full strength, he will give the backfield a different dimension.

Receivers

Lots of questions here. Brett Brackett, Derek Moye, Chaz Powell and Graham Zug all played last year, but sparingly. The four returnees caught only 29 passes among them in 2008. How well they step into the roles vacated by Butler, Williams and Jordan Norwood, hailed as the finest receiver corps in Penn State history, will go a long way toward determining the Lions’ fate this fall. One certainty is that receiver corps will be bigger. Zug is 6'2", Moye 6'5" and Brackett 6'6". But with increased size comes decreased speed. Butler, Williams and Norwood might not have been big, but boy, could they run. Powell, a redshirt sophomore, is the burner in this year’s group, although Moye is said to have breakaway potential as well. The Lions will need a deep threat if they’re to take full advantage of Clark’s arm. The tight end spot will go to a sure-handed senior — either Mickey Shuler or perennially-in-the-doghouse Andrew Quarless.

Offensive linemen

With three first-team All-Big Ten starters gone, the Lions have their work cut out for them here. Where to begin? How about at center, where junior Stefen Wisniewski will step in for Shipley. Wisniewski, whose father (Leo) and uncle (Steve) were both stars at Penn State, started at guard his first two seasons, but nobody doubts his readiness. “Young Wisniewski will be fine,” Paterno says. The Lions have two holes to plug at guard, but the toughest position to fill may be left tackle. Senior Nerraw McCormack was slowed by a knee injury this past spring, making sophomore DeOn’tae Pannell the most likely replacement for two-year starter Cadogan.

Defensive linemen

The Lions have two big holes to fill at end, but defensive line coach Larry Johnson always seems to have more bullets in his gun than you think he does. The most likely candidates to fill this year’s vacancies are Jerome Hayes and Jack Crawford. If Hayes is healthy, he’ll probably start at one of the open spots. He’s a senior who has paid his dues and then some. But is he healthy? Hayes has been plagued by injuries at Penn State, including an ACL tear that ended his 2008 season after only two games. If Hayes can’t go, a sophomore will probably fill the spot — either Kevion Latham or Eric Latimore. Crawford is a bit of a curiosity. He’s a British expatriate who played rugby and basketball growing up and came to the United States as an exchange student. Penn State signed the football novice in 2008, and it appears the move is about to pay off. Word out of spring practice was that the 6'2", 262-pounder had improved his technique, becoming less reliant on pure strength. Penn State should be fine at tackle with Jared Odrick, Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma returning.

Linebackers

Paterno calls fifth-year senior Sean Lee “one of the best kids I’ve ever coached.” Considering who he’s coached through the years, that’s saying something. The Big Ten’s second-leading tackler in 2007, Lee is returning from ACL surgery that forced him to redshirt last fall. He said this past spring he felt completely healthy, but the Lions took no chances, holding him out of contact drills. Paterno explained the decision matter-of-factly: “Lee doesn’t have to prove anything to us.” There is speculation that Lee will move from outside to inside linebacker this fall. That would make room for an up-and-comer at the outside position opposite returning starter Navorro Bowman, the team leader in tackles last year with 106. Michael Mauti (son of former Lion receiver Rich Mauti) and Bani Gbadyu look to be the top candidates.

Defensive backs

“We’ve got to get a secondary that can stand on its own two feet,” Paterno says. No kidding. Mark Sanchez embarrassed Penn State in the Rose Bowl, completing 28-of-35 passes for 413 yards. And that was with experienced seniors manning both cornerback and safety positions. This year, the Lions are down to one experienced senior — cornerback A.J. Wallace, who was bothered in spring practice by a hamstring injury. The other cornerback is going to be unproven — either sophomore D’Anton Lynn or senior Knowledge Timmons. Rising star Drew Astorino is the likely starter at free safety, while converted linebacker Andrew Dailey has slimmed down to 220 in hopes of winning the strong safety spot away from sophomore Nick Sukay. True freshman Gerald Hodges could be a factor here as the season goes on.

Specialists

Collin Wagner is first in line to replace Kelly, a four-year starter. The Lions spent a scholarship on a kicker in February, landing Anthony Fera out of Texas. Fera figures to have a shot at the starting spot, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him concentrate on kickoffs as a freshman, if he plays at all. Jeremy Boone returns after averaging 43 yards per punt last season.

[ratpenat]

Athlon Sports Top 25 PennState Capsule:

The icon is back. Penn State coach Joe Paterno defied those screaming for his resignation last year by taking the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl — after getting his hip replaced, of course. Secure in his position once again, JoePa has a team with the potential to win the Big Ten for a second straight year. That ought to keep those vultures away from him. Too bad he still has to contend with the media. At least he didn’t have to spend the winter and spring answering questions about his team’s off-field shenanigans.

Quarterback Daryll Clark is back to trigger the spread that has replaced the old vanilla Penn State attack and has established Paterno as something of a 21st century guy. Not bad for someone who played in the single wing at Brown. Clark has a couple of strong backs at his disposal — Evan Royster and Stephfon Green — but the Lions need help along the line and at receiver, where they will likely be bigger but not as fast.

The healthy return of Sean Lee (ACL) gives the defense a big boost and restores faith in Linebacker U. But the secondary must be rebuilt, not the worst thing given its performance against USC in Pasadena, and pass rushers are needed.

The Lions have some questions, but with a soft non-conference schedule and eight home games, they can wait awhile for the answers.

This and That

One In A Hundred Daryll Clark’s career interception percentage is 1.68. He’s on pace to break the school record of 2.02 percent, which belongs to Wally Richardson.

Blank Slate Penn State’s 2009 nonconference schedule may be a dud, but better things are in store. The Nittany Lions have lined up games against Alabama (2010-11), Virginia (2012-13) and Rutgers (2014-15) in coming years

Help Wanted Penn State loses its top three wide receivers from a year ago with Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood taking with them a combined 1,932 yards and 17 touchdowns. The four returning WRs caught only 29 passes among them in 2008.


Penn State Superlatives

RB Evan Royster and LB Navorro Bowman (pictured) are named Second-Team All America and First-Team All-Big Ten.

C Stefen Wisniewski and DT Jared Odrick are named Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big Ten.

QB Daryll Clark and OL Dennis Landolt are named First-Team All-Big Ten.

LB Sean Lee joins the All-Big Ten Second Team.


Player Profile: Daryll Clark

No. 17, Senior, Quarterback

Daryll Clark is the Lions’ unquestioned leader going into his second and final season as a starter. He can throw (2,592 passing yards, 19 touchdowns in 2008), and he can run (282 rushing yards, 10 TDs).

He’s careful with the football, having thrown only six interceptions in 357 career passing attempts, and yet he isn’t afraid to improvise, a talent that should serve him well now that veteran tackle Gerald Cadogan is no longer protecting his blind side. The sixth-year senior is just the sort of guy you want in charge of a young-ish team — resourceful, accurate, confident and charismatic.

[ratpenat]

Two PSU defensive players questionable for season
Monday, July 27, 2009
By Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
CHICAGO --- Penn State could be without its projected starting cornerback and top backup defensive tackle when preseason practice starts Aug. 10.

Coach Joe Paterno said today at the Big Ten Conference's annual media days that redshirt junior defensive tackle Abe Koroma and senior cornerback A.J. Wallace are dealing with off-the-field issues.

Their lockers were cleared out earlier this month.

Asked if Koroma would be back, Paterno said: "I doubt if Koroma will be. He's got some personal problems."

As for Wallace, Paterno said: "There is some question. He cut some classes."

Koroma, 6 feet 3, 317 pounds, started four games last year and finished with 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Wallace, 6-1, 201, has appeared in 39 career games for the Nittany Lions, with six starts. He had 20 tackles a year ago.



PERSONALLY, IT HAS BEEN A WHILE FOR THIS HONOR.............WE WERE RANKED WHEN I WAS THERE......................PROUD TO SEE THE TRADITION CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!


Penn State ranked No. 1 party school
Monday, July 27, 2009
By Eleanor Chute, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Penn State University has been ranked the No. 1 party school in the nation by the Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review today released its rankings, which also give Penn State the No. 1 ranking in two other categories: students pack the stadiums (intercollegiate sports popular) and lots of beer (usage reported high).

Penn State also made Top 20 rankings in some other areas: students dissatisfied with financial aid, No. 2; jock schools, No. 3; major frat and sorority scene, No. 3; best athletic facilities, No. 3; best career services, No. 6; everyone plays intramural sports, No. 6; best college newspaper, No. 6; lots of hard liquor, No. 9; students study the least, No. 11; and least politically active students, No. 17.

Penn State spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz said the survey results are not representative. "There are about 10 sites I found on Facebook urging students to vote and make Penn State the No. 1 party school, which shows that these rankings are nothing more than a popularity contest. It's become a badge of honor among students to get their school as No. 1 in these categories. The results are not connected to reality."

She said, "The students that are answering are not the ones spending their time in the library studying and getting the high grades that pump up our graduation rates."

Ms. Mountz agreed that Penn State has highly regarded career services and student newspaper, but said that is not because of the rankings. She also disagreed with the financial aid ranking, noting that Penn State was one of the first to go to direct lending, thus helping to ensure availability of student loans for its students.

Survey results are based on responses from 122,000 students at 371 colleges and universities. West Virginia ranked sixth on the party school list.

Carnegie Mellon University ranked seventh in best college theater and 10th in dissatisfaction with food.

Duquesne University ranked eighth in dissatisfaction with the library and 20th in low acceptance of gay community.




ALSO LET IT BE KNOWN THAT MY THREE SCHOOLS PLACED: PennState No. 1, West Virginia No. 6, and Florida State No. 9 RESPECTIVELY. SO GRAB A FATTY FOR THIS PIMP DADDY AND SAY PIMPIN AINT EASY!!!!!!!

[ashgeuze]

#1 PARTY SCHOOL

Yeeessssss. Now that I like !!!!!

Party on guys n gals.

Burp,
Ash.

[ratpenat]

YEAH ASH, I AM SOOOOOO PROUD......IT WAS RANKED No. 1 WHEN I WAS THERE IN 1993 TOO. I SEE A TREND. TO CELEBRATE THIS ACHIEVEMENT I HAVE DOWNED A NICE BOTTLE OF HOMEMADE ASTURIAN HARD CIDER THIS EVENING.

[notredame]

Ah, my "home" school - I even met my first girlfriend at a PSU game (in 2000, PSU beat Illinois, at that time the stadium held less than 100,000 people)
Unfortunate, but even more impressive game-wise, was a double-OT loss I saw that same year against Iowa

[ashgeuze]

Highlights of the 2008 season for your Nittany lions.

Enjoy.

YouTube - Penn State 2008 Montage

Ash.

[ashgeuze]

And another.

YouTube - Penn State Football 2008- Let It Rock

Gets the juices flowing for the upcoming season, eh?

Ash.

[ratpenat]

ND and ASH.....thanks for the posts.....................yeah ND I remember that game, what a frigging nightmare that was. 1 of 2 OT losses that season that sent the team into its tail spin of losing seasons.
Ash......love the viseos dude, I am all fired up.............Cant wait for football season......sick of baseball season........Pittsburgh management ****ed us over royally again, we have a AA team in MLB.............17 years of losing and counting.

[ashgeuze]

Don't talk to me about baseball...........bah !!

Blue Jays have hit an iceberg and are taking water fast. Completely pissed off with them and have switched off. Causes too much pain watching them of late.

:-(
Ash.

[notredame]

Baseball... Nah...
My US host dad was a pro player (catcher) for a Red Sox farm team in Florida, but he never achieved to convince me of baseball
Nor was I able to translate the fascination of soccer to him
Luckily, soccer season started again in Germany this weekend (and with me in a stadium right away) - but I'll be indifferent and oblivious of it once football season finally begins

[ratpenat]

Once again we are getting lots of shit for our non conference schdule. Akron, Temple, Syracuse, Eastern Illionis.......combined record 18-30..............although the schedules are made years in advance....I agree that it is cupcake.....but shit all programs do it.......I guess because we are not SEC......and its Big 10 we will eat shit.........let the arguing begin!!!!!!

[ratpenat]

Coach: Joe Paterno (383-127-3 in 43 seasons). | Staff
In 2008: 11-2 overall, 7-1 in Big Ten (tied for first in league). Lost to USC in the Rose Bowl.
Returning starters: Offense: 5. Defense: 4. Special teams: 1. | Depth Chart
Final 2008 Rivals.com ranking: 7th. | Complete Final 2008 Rankings
Past four Rivals.com national recruiting rankings: 24th in 2009, 43rd in '08, 24th in '07, 6th in '06.

OFFENSE

THE SCHEME: Penn State usually runs a traditional two-back scheme, but the Nittany Lions are playing more of a spread scheme dubbed the "Spread HD" to suit the talents of QB Daryll Clark.



Daryll Clark could be the best quarterback in the Big Ten.
STAR POWER: Clark emerged on the scene last year as one of the nation's most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, conjuring memories of ex-Penn State great Michael Robinson. But, unlike Robinson, Clark is a polished passer. Clark was extremely efficient, but he failed in crunch time during a crushing loss at Iowa and he got hurt in a key win over Ohio State and didn't quarterback the team on the winning drive. Still, look for Clark to be the top quarterback in the Big Ten as he continues to improve.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: QB Kevin Newsome enrolled early and took part in spring drills. He impressed with his array of running skills and burgeoning arm. Now, the true freshman finds himself No. 2 on the depth chart because of the transfer of Pat Devlin to Delaware.

WATCH FOR HIM TO EMERGE: The line needs to work in three new starters. And none will be more key than T DeOn'tae Pannell, who will play on the left side with Gerald Cadogan gone. Pannell was one of just four true freshmen to play last season, when he showed athletic ability and power in his 6-foot-5, 313-pound frame. He could be special.

STRONGEST AREA: The backfield is loaded, beginning with Clark under center. Look for the Lions to lean on RBs Evan Royster, Brandon Beachum and Stephfon Green, who is rehabbing a broken leg suffered in the Rose Bowl, until the passing game rounds into form. Royster is a potential top-10 NFL draft pick who has it all.

BIGGEST PROBLEM: Penn State lost three standout receivers with the departures of Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood and Deon Butler. That trio combined for 132 catches for 1,932 yards and 17 TDs last year. Penn State will turn to Graham Zug (11 catches), Brett Brackett (13), Derek Moye (three) and Chaz Powell (two) to step up. Powell and Moye are the speedsters of the bunch. The Lions may use more two-tight end sets to take advantage of the talents of Mickey Shuler and Andrew Quarless.

GRADE: A-minus

DEFENSE

THE SCHEME: The Nittany Lions employ at 4-3 scheme that flexes in and out of many different fronts and isn't afraid to bring pressure from various angles.



Navorro Bowman should have more room to roam this season.
STAR POWER: LB Navorro Bowman is a quick-striking athlete who covers lots of ground but must avoid off-field issues. His speed allows him to make plays from sideline to sideline. And with Sean Lee back from an injury that kept him out last year, Bowman should have more room to roam with offenses having another big-time talent to block for yet another standout Penn State linebacking corps.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: S Gerald Hodges enrolled early and impressed during spring drills. He is a heavy hitter with athletic skills who at the least will be a headhunter on special teams. If he continues to develop quickly, Hodges could become part of the rotation in a rebuilt secondary.

WATCH FOR HIM TO EMERGE: With all of its top ends gone, Penn State needs some pass rushers to emerge. That could be the cue for E Jack Crawford. He was born in England and came to the U.S. in 2005 with the intent of playing basketball. But he joined the football team in 2006 and was an instant hit. Crawford has a quick, explosive first step and power in his 6-5, 262-pound body.

STRONGEST AREA: T Jared Odrick is the lynchpin on what will be one of the Big Ten's top lines. He's a big, physical presence who can stuff the run and make plays in the backfield. Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma will join Odrick on the interior. Yes, Penn State will miss Es Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans and Josh Gaines, but staffers are excited about Crawford, Jerome Hayes, Kevion Latham and Eric Latimore.

BIGGEST PROBLEM: All eyes are on a secondary that must replace all four starters. It's vital that CB A.J. Wallace provides leadership. He's the most experienced veteran and is a quick athlete with playmaking ability. CBs Knowledge Timmons and D'Anton Lynn, who turned heads as a true freshman, will compete to play opposite Wallace. S Drew Astorino has shown a nose for the ball.

GRADE: A-minus

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Lions are in good shape punting with the return of Jeremy Boone, who led the Big Ten with a 43-yard average. However, K Kevin Kelly is gone, and he was money. Former walk-on Collin Wagner is slated to take over. Cross your fingers. There are plenty of options in the return game, but it will be difficult to duplicate the production of Williams. Green and Powell will run back kickoffs, but a punt return man is needed.

GRADE: B

COACHING

What more can be said about Joe Paterno, who is the Football Bowl Subdivision's all-time win king? Earlier this decade, it looked like the game had passed him by. Now, JoePa has led PSU to two Big Ten titles in the past four years. And another could be on the way. Tom Bradley is one of the top defensive coordinators in America and deserves to get the job when JoePa retires. Know this: During the Lions' slumber earlier this decade, the defense never waned. Credit Bradley. Galen Hall has done a great job coordinating the offense and amping up the ground game. But credit quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno and his "Spread HD" offense for helping make Clark a terrific passer. JayPa is a bright, young mind.

GRADE: A


DATE OPPONENT
Sept. 5 Akron
Sept. 12 Syracuse
Sept. 19 Temple
Sept. 26 Iowa
Oct. 3 at Illinois
Oct. 10 Eastern Illinois
Oct. 17 Minnesota
Oct. 24 at Michigan
Oct. 31 at Northwestern
Nov. 7 Ohio State
Nov. 14 Indiana
Nov. 21 at Michigan State
SCHEDULE

Can you say "12-0"? Penn State plays all four non-conference games at home against teams that - frankly - lack a pulse. And six of the first seven games are in comfy, cozy State College, Pa. Want more cushy goodness? Fellow Big Ten contenders Iowa and Ohio State visit. The lone potential potholes are trips to Illinois and Michigan State, but they aren't juggernauts. One mild concern: there is no off week, but that isn't always a bad thing if a team is on a roll ... and the Lions should be all season.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

Finally, mercifully, the rumblings about Paterno retiring or being forced out are over. That's what an 11-2 record and a Big Ten championship will do for a coach. Paterno proved last season that he's indomitable. College football's Methuselah enters his 44th season as the sport's win king, threatening to distance himself from Bobby Bowden and further cement his legacy without being badgered about questions concerning his future. Paterno, 82, turned in one of his best performances in recent history last fall, leading the Lions to their second Big Ten title in four seasons and earning a three-year contract extension. And he did all of that by coaching most of the season from the press box while he recovered from a hip injury. Yes, the 2009 Nittany Lions have issues, but they could be buffeted by one of the nation's weakest schedules. What's it mean? Penn State may win the Big Ten again.


DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE
QB Daryll Clark* (6-2, 233, Sr.)
Kevin Newsome (6-2, 225, Fr.)

TB Evan Royster* (6-1, 209, Sr.)
Brandon Beachum (6-0, 219, Soph.)

WR Derek Moye (6-5, 195, Jr.)
A.J. Price (6-4, 173, Soph.)

WR Brett Brackett (6-6, 231, Sr.)
James McDonald (6-2, 204, Sr.)

WR Graham Zug (6-2, 178, Sr.)
Chaz Powell (6-1, 195, Jr.)

TE Andrew Quarless (6-5, 253, Sr.)
Mickey Shuler* (6-4, 249, Sr.)

T Dennis Landolt* (6-4, 303, Sr.)
Ako Poti (6-3, 305, Sr.)

T DeOn'tae Pannell (6-5, 313, Soph.)
Nerraw McCormack (6-5, 295, Sr.)

G Lou Eliades (6-4, 305, Sr.)
James Terry (6-3, 319, Soph.)

G Matt Stankiewitch (6-3, 290, Soph.)
Johnnie Troutman (6-4, 322, Jr.)

C Stefen Wisniewski* (6-3, 302, Jr.)
Quinn Barham (6-3, 288, Jr.)

K Collin Wagner (5-9, 170, Sr.)
PR Chaz Powell (6-1, 195, Jr.)

DEFENSE
E Jack Crawford (6-5, 262, Soph.)
Pete Massaro (6-4, 247, Soph.)

T Jared Odrick* (6-5, 306, Sr.)
Devon Still (6-5, 305, Jr.)

T Ollie Ogbu* (6-1, 292, Sr.)
Abe Koroma (6-3/317, Sr.)

E Kevion Latham (6-2, 248, Soph.)
Eric Latimore (6-6, 264, Jr.)

LB Navorro Bowman* (6-1, 230, Sr.)
Bani Gbadyu (6-1, 228, Sr.)

LB Sean Lee (6-2, 236, Sr.)
Josh Hull* (6-3, 236, Sr.)

LB Michael Mauti (6-2, 224, Soph.)
Nate Stupar (6-1, 226, Jr.)

CB A.J. Wallace (6-1, 201, Sr.)
D'Anton Lynn (6-1, 198, Soph.)

CB Knowledge Timmons (5-10, 187, Sr.)
Devin Fentress (5-10, 169, Sr.)

S Andrew Dailey (6-2, 221, Jr.)
Cedric Jeffries (6-2, 203, Sr.)

S Drew Astorino (5-1, 193, Jr.)
Nick Sukay (6-1, 208, Soph.)

P Jeremy Boone* (5-9, 184, Sr.)
KR Chaz Powell (6-1, 195, Jr.)

[ratpenat]

For those of you who are PennState fans and from abroad, lets start teaching you about some of the great traditions of the Blue and White.... Miami can talk all they want, but when it comes down to it........Linebacker U is our claim to fame!!!!!!!!!

Dennis Onkotz 1967 - 1969
Dennis Onkotz was a two time first team All American on the great Penn State teams of 1968 and 1969. Both teams went 11-0 with Orange Bowl wins over Kansas and Missouri. Amazingly, neither team was awarded the national championship. Onkotz started all three years (freshmen didn't play back then) and finished his career as Penn State's all time leading tackler with 287 tackles. He led the team in tackles in 1967 and 1969 with 71 and 97 respectively. His tackling record would be passed by three guys later on, but two of them had the benefit of playing as freshmen and having additional regular season games. Onkotz still holds the record for interceptions by a Nittany Lion linebacker with 11, and three of those he returned for touchdowns. He was such a gifted athlete that he also returned 47 punts for an average return of over 13 yards as Penn State's primary punt returner.

After Penn State Onkotz was a third round pick by the New York Jets. An injury in his rookie season ended his playing career. In 1995 Onkotz was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame.


Jack Ham 1968 - 1969
Jack Ham was not highly recruited out of high school. He almost went to the Virginia Military Institute before Penn State offered him their last scholarship in 1966. He went on to team up with Dennis Onkotz and Jim Kates in 1968 and 1969 to lay the foundation for the legacy that would go on to become known as Linebacker U. Ham was a three year starter and was selected a first team All American in 1970 after registering 91 tackles and four interceptions as a team captain. He ended his career with 251 tackles which was good enough for second on the all time list back then second only to Onkotz. Today he is thirteenth on the all time list, but again, back then freshmen didn't play and the regular season was only 10 games until 1971. He also blocked three punts during his career, a school record that would stand until it was tied in 1989. During his playing career Penn State amassed a record of 29-3 with two undefeated seasons.

After college, Ham was a second round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started as a rookie and went on to be a key member of their Super Bowl dynasty of the 1970's. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and joined the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2000 Ham joined the Penn State Radio Network and calls the games with Steve Jones.


Greg Buttle 1973 - 1975
Greg Buttle was one of the most colorful players to ever wear the Blue and White. His jovial nature often drew the ire of a then young Joe Paterno. His junior and senior year statistics are simply mind blowing. 165 tackles as a junior and 140 tackles as a senior. Again, he didn't have the benefit of 12 regular season games or even playing as a freshman back then. Buttle still holds the single season tackle record as well as the record for tackles in a single game (24). His 343 career tackles were a school record until it was passed by Paul Posluszny in 2006. Buttle was honored as a consensus All American in 1975. During his playing career Penn State only lost five games and went undefeated in 1973.

In 2001 he was awarded the Silver Anniversary Butkus Award for the 1975 season.
After college Buttle played nine seasons for the New York Jets in the NFL and is a member of their All Time Jets team.


Shane Conlan 1983 - 1986
Many Penn State fans consider Shane Conlan to be the prototypical linebacker by which all other linebackers are judged. He was an unknown prospect coming out of high school, but would go on to become a two time First Team All American that led his defensive squad to appearances in two National Championship games. The 1986 defense was one of the greatest of all time not allowing any opponents to score more than 19 points. In the Fiesta Bowl Conlan had eight tackles and two interceptions in leading Penn State to their second National Championship over the Miami Hurricanes. He ended his Penn State career with 274 tackles which is still good enough for fifth all time.

Conlan was a first round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills (8th overall) in 1987 and went on to claim the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He was named to the Pro Bowl in three straight seasons from 1990 to 1992. The Bills went to the Superbowl each of those seasons, but couldn't win the game. Conlan joined the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams in 1993 and played a few more years before retiring in 1995.


Andre Collins 1986 - 1989
After playing on a National Championship team his freshman year, Collins endured some disappointing seasons the rest of his Penn State career. None-the-less, he was a shining star on the defense. Collins broke 100 tackles in each of his junior and senior seasons, one of only five Nittany Lions to achieve the feat. In 1989 Collins was named a First Team All American and a Butkus Award Finalist. He finished his Penn State career ninth in all time tackles.

Collins went on to play 10 years in the NFL for the Washington Redskins. He was a starting linebacker for the team that won Super Bowl XXVI. Today he serves as Director of Retired Players for the NFL Players Association.


Brian Gelzheiser 1991 - 1994
Brian Gelzheiser wasn't a very flashy linebacker. He didn't win All American Awards. He wasn't named as a finalist for the Lombardi or Butkus Awards. But he was a steady performer that showed up week in and week out. He was a starter and key member of the 1994 team that went undefeated in winning Penn State's first Big Ten Championship. He tore the medial collateral ligament in his knee in August before his senior year. He sat out week one, but suited up against USC in week two. Not only did he play, he recorded 10 tackles. Gelzheiser also recorded 100 tackles in junior and senior years and finished his Penn State career as the second all time leading tackler. Today he is still number three on the list.

Gelzheiser was a sixth round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL draft. His NFL career never amounted to much. After a brief stint in the NFL Gelzheiser went into sales in the Pittsburgh area.


Lavar Arrington 1997 - 1999
Lavar Arrington is easily the most physically gifted linebacker to every play at Penn State. He was big enough to take on offensive linemen yet fast enough to cover wide receivers in man coverage. His playing style could best be described as "chaos", as he often went outside of the system by abandoning his assignment. Although he was undisciplined, he made several spectacular plays by simply following his instincts. No play epitomized Lavar's style more than The Lavar Leap. In his junior season he was named a First Team All American and won both the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. He didn't rack up an overwhelming number of tackles, but he wreaked all kind of havoc in the backfield with 19 career sacks and 39 TFL good enough for eight and ninth all time respectively.

Arrington was the number two pick overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2000 NFL draft. He made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2001-2003 until he suffered a season ending knee injury in 2004. After a very public feud with head coach Joe Gibbs, Arrington was released and signed with the New York Giants. He appeared to be regaining his old form before an ankle injury ended his season in week seven of 2006.


Brandon Short 1996 - 1999
On any other team, Brandon Short would have been the best player on the defense. But when you line up next to Lavar Arrington, people tend to call you "the other guy". Short started all four years at Penn State (Played at defensive end his freshman year). Short led the team in tackles his senior year with 103. He was named a First Team All American and a Butkus Award finalist along with Arrington.

Short was a fourth round pick for the New York Giants in the 2000 NFL draft and appeared in Super Bowl XXXV as a rookie. He signed with the Carolina Panthers for the 2004-2005 seasons before rejoining the Giants in 2006.


Paul Posluszny 2003 - 2006
Known simply as "Poz", Paul Posluszny embodied the Joe Paterno image of the student athlete. Hall of Famer Jack Ham once called him "the greatest linebacker to ever play at Penn State." His work ethic on and off the field were unsurpassed. He was named team captain both his junior and senior seasons, a rarity in the Joe Paterno era. Poz was a key member of the 11-1 team that beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl and finished ranked #3 in the country. He recorded 116 tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. He's the only Penn State linebacker to ever record 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons (2004-2006). Poz won the Dick Butkus Award in 2005 and won the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2005 and 2006. He was also named a First Team All American in 2005 and 2006. Poz is Penn State's all time leading tackler with 372.

Posluszny was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. 2007 will be his rookie season.


Dan Connor 2004 - 2007
I know what you're saying. How can a player with a year of eligibility left make the list? Dan Connor could have gone pro after his junior season in 2006. If he had he would still be on this list. Connor cracked the starting lineup as a true freshman in 2004 and set a freshman record for tackles with 85. In 2006 Connor was named First Team All American and finished second in the Bednarik Award voting to his teammate, Paul Posluszny. He is currently eighth on the all time tackle list and will most likely be the leader by the end of his career.

Even though he could have gone pro after his junior season, Dan Connor will be returning for his senior year in 2007. He is projected to switch from outside linebacker to middle linebacker this year. He will undoubtedly be on the watch lists for the Lombardi, Butkus, and Bednarik awards and several publications are predicting he will be a first round draft pick in the NFL when his Penn State career is done.

[ratpenat]

Joe Pa and Tom Bradley could not have hit it more big than with these three guys at LB: Puz, Connor and Lee. What a pleasure to see all 3 play together on the field at least 2 seasons. And of course another one is in the making............................

[ratpenat]

ONLY 6 days till the blue and white, coach paterno´s weekly press conference will be here

[ft420]

[ratpenat]

FT, thanks for the tailgating pic dude, much much appreciated!!!!! I am so totally pissed I did not lay the contact plans down before leaving Spain. I didnt know my parents computer had a bad virus till I got there, totally friggin fried..........tried to clean the virus but just fried...........I had no way of getting to access. So sorry. Next time I am through though I will look you up.

Lookin forward to working out the liver this weekend!!!!!!!!!!