2008 Penn State Nittany Lions - Rec. Class

Penn State Nittany Lions 2008 Head Coach: Joe Paterno

Penn State Nittany Lions

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Mike Yancich  LB 6-3  225 Trinity/Washington, Pa.
Anticipates well, reads keys quickly, seldom takes false steps and can beat blockers to the point of attack. Takes good angles, gets through traffic quickly and pursues hard. Shows good instincts and a solid finishing burst when blitzing. As a senior, Yancich ran for 1,616 yards and 21 touchdowns on 212 carries. He was named to the "Fabulous 22" team by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Brandon Beachum RB 6-1  220  Cardinal Mooney/Youngstown, Ohio
Beachum is exceptional in coverage, probably rates as the best coverage backer in the state. Father played D-I ball and Brandon has had it bred into him to succeed. Beachum has good lateral quickness and sideline-to-sideline range. Moves well through traffic. He is an explosive hitter and tackler who plays with a mean streak. Beachum benches 345 pounds, squats 565, power cleans 260 and has a 31" vertical jump.

Michael Zordich  LB  6-2  225  Cardinal Mooney/Youngstown, Ohio
Zordich is an intense competitor whose motor is full bore all the time. He has superior read and recognition skills. He is very explosive getting through the whole and making contact. He has very good lateral range from sideline-to-sideline. Solid, form tackler and he uses his hands well to shed blocks. Also excels in coverage.

Rest of the Class

Jack Crawford	DE	6-6	240	St. Augustine Prep/Richland, N.J.
Mike Farrell	OL	6-5	265	Shady Side Academy/Pittsburgh, Pa.
D'Anton Lynn	DB	6-1	180	Celina/Celina, Texas
Peter Massaro	DE	6-4	235	Marple Newtown/Newtown Square, Pa.
Michael Mauti	LB	6-1	225	Mandeville/Mandeville, La.
DeOn'tae Pannell	OL	6-5	305	Wylie E. Groves/Beverly Hills, Mich.
A.J. Price	WR	6-4	175	South Lakes/Reston, Va.
Matt Stankiewitch	OL	6-4	290	Blue Mountain/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
James Terry	DT	6-3	300	Brandywine/Wilmington, Del.
Brandon Ware	DT	6-4	320	Harrisburg/Harrisburg, Pa.
Mark Wedderburn	TE	6-5	235	Cardinal O'Hara/Springfield, Pa.

- 2007 PSU Preview 
- 2007 PSU Season
- 2006 PSU Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 10-2
2007 Record: 9-4

Sept. 1 FIU W 59-0
Sept. 8 Notre Dame W 31-10
Sept. 15 Buffalo W 45-24
Sept. 22 at Michigan L 14-9
Sept. 29 at Illinois L 27-20
Oct. 6 Iowa W 27-7
Oct. 13 Wisconsin W 38-7
Oct. 20 at Indiana W 36-31
Oct. 27 Ohio State L 37-17
Nov. 3 Purdue W 26-19
Nov. 10 at Temple W 31-0
Nov. 17 at Michigan St L 35-31
Alamo Bowl
Dec. 29 Texas A&M W 24-17

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: The team might fly under the radar, but it could be the sleeper in the Big Ten race if the quarterback situation comes together. It's not like Anthony Morrelli was the reason for last year's nine-win season, and it's not a stretch to think the QB play can't be improved a bit if Daryll Clark or Pat Devlin works well with the fantastic receiving corps right off the bat. The D line, led by pass rushing terror Maurice Evans, will be a killer, while Sean Lee will be this year's Greatest Penn State Linebacker Ever. 
Why to be grouchy: There's a ton of experience, but is the team really that good? You'll hear some say the receivers (Deon Butler, Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood and TE Andrew Quarless) are among the best in the country, but they've been fine, not special, and they certainly aren't going to blow up if Clark, a runner, is under center. The D put up great stats, but when push came to shove against the good teams, other than the Wisconsin game, it got shoved.
The number one thing to work on is: The quarterbacks. Everything else is in place with nine starters returning on offense and nine on defense, but if teams load up against the run, the offense will be inconsistent. With a fantastic offensive line in place, the running game will rock if Penn State's passers offer the mere hint of a deep ball to keep the safeties deep. The passing game doesn't have to throw for 300 yards a game, but it has to be more efficient.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Rodney Kinlaw
Biggest defensive loss: LB Dan Connor
Best returning offensive player: OG Rich Ohrnberger, Sr.
Best returning defensive player: LB Sean Lee, Sr.

2007 Recap
2007 Recap: The Nittany Lions closed out the 2007 season with an Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M, an indication that this year’s goals were not met.  With a senior quarterback and a loaded defense, Penn State was thinking Pasadena before losing to Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio State, the Big Ten’s top three programs, and finishing in a fifth place tie with Iowa.  While the defense carried its weight most Saturdays, the offense was unreliable, getting a mediocre season from QB Anthony Morelli in his last hurrah in State College.      

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Rodney Kinlaw

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Dan Conner

Biggest Surprise: Kinlaw.  A career backup that had never rushed for more than 199 yards in a season, Kinlaw stepped up and bailed out the Penn State running game after Austin Scott was suspended from the team.  The fifth-year senior delivered 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, including the first six 100-yard days of his career. 

Biggest Disappointment: The passing game.  With Morelli back for a final year, and Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood, Deon Butler, and Andrew Quarless running patterns, the Lions had the ingredients for their best vertical game in years.  Instead, the offense got a little too conservative, and Morelli managed just seven touchdown passes and seven picks in eight league games.

Looking Ahead: The Lions are touting their new Spread HD offense, but will it really be revolutionary, or just another stale offense with a fancy nickname?  Beginning in the spring, senior Daryll Clark and sophomore Pat Devlin will battle for a chance to run the offense in 2008.  Even without LB Dan Connor, the formidable defense has a potential All-American at each level, DE Maurice Evans, LB Sean Lee, and CB Justin King.

Dec. 29
2007 Alamo Bowl
Penn State 24 ... Texas A&M 17
Texas A&M took an early 14-0 lead on two Mike Goodson touchdown runs, with the second on the first play following a fumble, and then the Penn State running game took over. The Nittany Lions finished with 270 yards on the ground, while the Aggie rushing attack managed just 164 with a few key late plays getting stuffed including a fourth and one misfire on the Penn State two late in the fourth quarter. Deon Butler started off the scoring for Penn State on a diving 30-yard catch early in the second quarter, and following a Goodson fumble, Daryll Clark ran for an 11-yard score with a dive that just got the ball over the goal line before fumbling. Evan Royster capped off the scoring with a 38-yard dash late in the third. The two teams combined to turn the ball over five times, and each went six for 16 on third down chances.
Offensive Player of the Game: Penn State RB Rodney Kinlaw ran 21 times for 143 yards
Defensive Player of the Game: Penn State LB Sean Lee made 14 tackles, a tackle for loss and broke up a pass
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 15-31, 143 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 21-143. Receiving: Derrick Williams, 5-39
Texas A&M - Passing: Stephen McGee, 19-31, 164 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Goodson, 14-65, 2 TD. Receiving: Mike Goodson, 7-30
Notes & Thoughts ... Penn State controlled the game up front, Texas A&M didn't. It's as simple as that. The Aggies needed to win the rushing yard margin by a lot, at least 50 yards, and they were outgained 270 to 164. ... Penn State QB Anthony Morelli struggled in the final game in an interesting career. He got the win, and he came up with a few decent passes, but he was too erratic and didn't take advantage of the coverages A&M showed him. He just never got better over the last few years. ... The unsung heroes were the punters. Penn State's Jeremy Boone averaged 51.4 yards per kick, while Texas A&M's Justin Brantly averaged 55 yards per shot. ... It'll be interesting to see how the Penn State offense revolves around Daryll Clark next year, if he wins the starting job. His running ability might be even more dangerous than former starter Michael Robinson's. ... A&M played hard and played well considering the coaching issues. The Aggies lost to a better team.

Nov. 17
Michigan State 35 ... Penn State 31
Down 24-7 at halftime, Michigan State rallied with 28 second half points on three of Brian Hoyer's four touchdown passes, and a one-yard Jehuu Caulcrick scoring run. Devin Thomas scored from 12, 33 and 26 yards out for the Spartans with two coming in the second half rally. Penn State started out hot, and kept pace for a while, with Deon Butler scoring from 37 yards out, Rodney Kinlaw getting two four-yard touchdown runs, and even getting a five-yard touchdown run from PK Kevin Kelly on a direct snap. The Nittany Lions had the ball with one final shot at pulling it out, but the drive stalled and MSU pulled out the stunner.
Player of the game: Michigan State WR Devin Thomas caught seven passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 16-35, 188 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 28-125, 2 TD. Receiving: Rodney Kinlaw, 4-22
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 16-21, 257 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Jehuu Caulcrick, 22-99, 1 TD. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 7-139, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Penn State stopped the MSU running game but couldn't slow down the passing game once it got going, and worse yet, couldn't use the offense to put the game away after getting out to a big lead. Lost in the heartbreaker was a great day from Rodney Kinlaw, who ran hard and well all game long. Dan Connor and Sean Lee were tremendous yet again, but the defense failed to come through when it had to. The spotlight will be on Anthony Morelli in the bowl game as he needs to prove he can be a difference maker in a key game to close his career.

Nov. 10
Penn State 31 ... Temple 0
Jordan Norwood caught two first half touchdown passes, Anthony Morelli threw a third scoring pass to Deon Butler from 14 yards out, and Rodney Kinlaw ran for a ten-yard score as Penn State rolled with ease over Temple. With Lincoln Financial field looking more like Happy Valley, with Penn State fans invading Temple's home park, the Nittany Lions were never threatened, holding Temple to four net yards rushing and 242 yards overall.
Player of the game: Penn State LB Dan Connor made 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 22-33, 260 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 27-168, 1 TD. Receiving: Derrick Williams, 7-104
Temple - Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 26-43, 238 yds
Rushing: Jason Harper, 8-26. Receiving: Bruce Francis, 6-75
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Beating Temple isn't exactly anything to get fired up over, but it was a good all-around performance with no hiccups and nothing to get upset over. Everything worked fine, considering the team was going through the motions before closing out against Michigan State. The lines overwhelmed the Owls, with Rodney Kinlaw having a nice day running for yards in chunks, and Dan Connor and Sean Lee all over the field stuffing up the TU attack. Call this a near-perfect late-season oasis.

Nov. 3
Penn State 26 ... Purdue 19
Dorien Bryant took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but that was the last time the Boilermakers would see the end zone with Chris Summers connecting on field goals from 45, 28, 50 and 37 yards out. Penn State's running game rumbled for 251 yards, with Evan Royster sealing the win late in the fourth on a 26-yard dash. WR Derrick Williams scored on a 12-yard run and catching a five-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Morelli. Dan Connor became Penn State's all-time leading tackler after making 11 stops.
Player of the game: Penn State LBs Sean Lee and Dan Connor combined for 23 tackles with Lee forcing two fumbles.
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 22-35, 210 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 21-126, 1 TD. Receiving: Derrick Williams, 10-95, 1 TD
Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 27-48, 255 yds
Rushing: Kory Sheets, 8-43. Receiving: Selwyn Lymon, 6-78
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... On Senior Day, it turned out to be a win over Purdue the way Penn State likes to do it. The running game was rolling, the defense didn't break, allowing four field goals and no touchdowns, and the linebacking plays was special. Dan Connor and Sean Lee might cancel each other out on the All-America ballots, but each deserves consideration and each has been playing at the top of his game. Finally, Derrick Williams became a factor as something other than a kick returner, and after his two touchdown performance, he needs to build on it and break out with a few home runs.

Oct. 27
Ohio State 37 ... Penn State 17
Ohio State got down 7-3 early after Rodney Kinlaw ran for a two-yard score, but was never threatened again after its next drive, going 80 yards in six plays with Brian Robiskie catching a nine-yard touchdown pass as part of a 21-point run. Todd Boeckman threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Brian Hartline and a 15-yard score to Jake Ballard for a 24-7 lead, and after a Kevin Kelly field goal, the Buckeyes went on a 13-point dash highlighted by a 24-yard Malcolm Jenkins interception return for a score. OSU's Ryan Pretorius connected on field goals from 50, 37 and 35 yards, but Penn State answered the final kick with an A.J. Wallace return for a touchdown. OSU outgained Penn State 453 yards to 263.
Player of the game: Ohio State QB Todd Boeckman completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 12-21, 111 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 14-81, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordan Norwood, 6-43
Ohio State - Passing: Todd Boeckman, 19-26, 253 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Wells, 25-133. Receiving: Rory Nicol, 6-39
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the country. That might be obvious, but it's important to remember when analyzing or criticizing the Nittany Lions. On the plus side, Dan Connor and Sean Lee were great, with Connor making 18 tackles and Lee with 13. On the flip side, the mysterious problems with the receiving corps continue as Derrick Williams was nowhere to be found (two catches for seven yards) and there was only one big pass play all game long. Again, losing this week isn't the end of the world, but a loss to Purdue next week in the home finale might be.

Oct. 20
Penn State 36 ... Indiana 31
Penn State appeared to be on the way to a tough win after Kevin Kelly hit hit third field goal of the second half to go up 29-17 in the fourth quarter, but Indiana came roaring back with a James Hardy seven-yard touchdown catch and a 56-yard Kellen Lewis touchdown run wrapped around a good Nittany Lion drive ending with a five-yard Rodney Kinlaw score. IU had one last shot, but Lewis lost a fumble. Hardy had a monster day for the Hoosiers with 14 catches and two scores, but the IU offense had problems getting going thanks to the Penn State pass rush that came up with six sacks. Anthony Morelli threw two touchdown passes in the first half.
Player of the game: In a losing cause, Indiana QB James Hardy caught 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Kellen Lewis, 30-48, 318 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Marcus Thigpen, 13-32. Receiving: James Hardy, 14-142, 2 TD
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 22-32, 195 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 12-68, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordan Norwood, 8-65, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Nittany Lions should've had an easier time closing out Indiana, but it almost seemed like it let up its guard just enough to make it close. The linebackers did a great job of keeping Kellen Lewis under wraps for most of the game, but allowed the big late score to give IU life. In the end, this was a good road win, better than it might be seen by everyone outside of the Big Ten because it was against Indiana. Considering Ohio State is next week and Wisconsin was last week, Penn State could be forgiven for just a little bit of a mental letdown in a win.

Oct. 13
Penn State 38 ... Wisconsin 7
Penn State dominated from the word go, forcing a P.J. Hill fumble on Wisconsin's first carry, and converting three plays later with a one-yard Matt Hahn touchdown run. The Badgers closed it to 10-7 at the end of the first quarter on a one-yard Hill run, but did nothing else the rest of the day, as Penn State scored the final 28 points on a 29-yard Deon Butler touchdown catch, a 19-yard Evan Royster scoring run, and short scored from Rodney Kinlaw and Daryll Clerk.
Player of the game: Penn State QB Anthony Morelli completed 16 of 28 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Wisconsin - Passing: Tyler Donovan, 16-29, 220 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 19-75, 1 TD. Receiving: Kyle Jefferson, 6-124
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 16-28, 216 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 23-115, 1 TD. Receiving: Deon Butler, 7-93, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Penn State finally got its first big win of the year. The Wisconsin blowout was exactly how the team is supposed to be playing, with Anthony Morelli sharp, and finding the open man with ease, Rodney Kinlaw running through big holes, and the linebacking corps dominating. Dan Connor and Sean Lee were tremendous, each cranking out 12 tackles and a sack as the never let the Badgers breathe. This was a circle the wagons game, considering all that went on off the field this week. Now the consistency has to be there with a tougher-than-it-looks date at Indiana.

Oct. 6
Penn State 27 ... Iowa 7
Penn State outgained Iowa 256 yards to 48, with Rodney Kinlaw getting 168 of them with touchdown dashes from 12 and 23 yards out. The Nittany Lions got up 20-0, helped by a 24-yard Derrick Williams scoring grab, before Iowa finally got on the board with its best drive of the day, finished up by an 11-yard Trey Stross touchdown catch early in the fourth. That was the only positive moment for the Hawkeyes, who only amassed eight first downs and converted three of 16 third down chances.
Player of the game: Penn State RB Rodney Kinlaw rushed for 168 yards and two scores on 28 carries.
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 16-29, 146 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 13-44. Receiving: Trey Stross, 5-69, 1 TD
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 18-31, 233 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 28-168, 2 TDs. Receiving: Deon Butler, 3-55
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The win over Iowa might not have been pretty, but the defense and running game were more than enough to get by. The Hawkeyes simply don't have enough playmakers right now, and didn't have nearly enough punch to be effective. As easy as the win turned out to be, thanks to the defense, the three turnovers, and the two Anthony Morelli interceptions has to be a concern This was a game that needed to get some confidence resorted in the passing game, and it didn't happen. Against Wisconsin next week, Morelli can't give the ball away.

Sept. 29
Illinois 27 ... Penn State 20
Illinois answered a 26-yard Kevin Kelly field goal with a 90-yard kickoff return for a score from Arrelious Benn, got a two-yard Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run, and never trailed the rest of the way. Benn also scored on a 29-yard catch early in the second, but the Illini offense couldn't get back into the end zone, settling for two Jason Reda field goals in the second half. Penn State got in the end zone on a 24-yard Derrick Williams catch and a seven-yard Austin Scott run, and had one final shot, but a last-gasp Anthony Morelli pass turned into his third thrown interception of the game.
Player of the game ... Illinois WR Arrelious Benn caught six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 21-38, 298 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 16-66  Receiving: Derrick Williams, 5-79, 1 TD
Illinois - Passing: Juice Williams, 11-24, 120 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Rashad Mendenhall, 18-76, 1 TD  Receiving: Arrelious Benn, 6-84, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Losing to Michigan at Michigan is one thing. Losing at Illinois is a whole other problem, especially the way the defense failed to hold up against the run for the second week in a row, and with a mere 129 rushing yards. At least the offense opened it up a bit when it had to, with Anthony Morelli bombing away more than he did last week. However, he didn't keep the chains moving, and he threw three picks, with one coming on the late desperate heave. The D clamped down in the second half, but it was too late.

Sept. 22
Michigan 14 ... Penn State 9
Michigan got a ten-yard touchdown run from Ryan Mallett and a tough one-yard Mike Hart score, and let the defense do the rest. Penn State was held to 270 yards of total offense and only managed three Kevin Kelly field goals. Following a 31-yard Kelly field goal with just over six minutes to play, Penn State didn't get the ball back until there was just 1:28 to play. On its own 13, Anthony Morelli threw four straight incompletions, with two almost intercepted, to seal the win for the Wolverines.
Player of the game: Michigan RB Mike Hart ran 44 times for 153 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 15-31, 169 yds
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 12-69. Receiving: Deon Butler & Jordan Norwood, 3-30
Michigan - Passing: Ryan Mallett, 16-29, 170 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Hart, 44-153, 1 TD. Receiving: Adrian Arrington, 6-70
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Michigan had Mike Hart, Penn State didn't. Anthony Morelli played a dead-even game with Ryan Mallett, and he needed to be better. It was that simple. Austin Scott simply can't be counted on at this point to run the ball without giving it away, while Rodney Kinlaw has proven to be serviceable, but nothing special. But this one is on Morelli, with just 169 passing yards on just 15 of 31 completions. This was supposed to be his game to show off his experience and leadership, but he never came up with a big throw and wasn't able to come up with the late drive needed. Watch out for Illinois next week; the Nittany Lions had better not be moping in Champaign or it'll be two straight losses and the end of the Big Ten title hopes.

Sept.15
Penn State 45 ... Buffalo 24
Buffalo scored first on a 19-yard field goal after an Austin Scott fumble, and then Penn State took control with a 31-point on a 27-yard Kevin Kelly field goal and four Anthony Morelli touchdown passes. Andrew Quarless scored from 21 and four yards out, Jordan Norwood caught a five-yard touchdown pass, and Terrell Golden scored from 27 yards out. Rodney Kinlaw and Austin Scott each ran for fourth quarter touchdowns.
Player of the game: Penn State QB Anthony Morelli went 20-of-27 for 202 yards and four touchdown passes.
Stat Leaders: Buffalo - Passing: Drew Willy, 28-39, 330 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Starks, 18-41, 1 TD. Receiving: Naaman Roosevelt, 7-114
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 20-27, 202 yds, 4 TDs
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 23-129, 1 TD. Receiving: Deon Butler, 5-72
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... This is why you schedule a game against a team like Buffalo. Penn State was able to get Rodney Kinlaw involved in the offense, making him the focal point of the running game after an early Austin Scott fumble, and now there's a good twosome to rely on. Anthony Morelli wasn't under much pressure, and he made the right decisions. This is a hot team right now with a defense playing at a high level, but FIU, Notre Dame and Buffalo aren't Michigan when it comes to winging it around. Even so, it has to be a bit of a concern that UB threw for 330 yards.

Sept. 8
Penn State 31 ... Notre Dame 10
Penn State held Notre Dame to zero net rushing yards and 144 total, but it was a closer game than it might appear in the final score. The Nittany Lion offense finally started to put the game away late in the third quarter when Austin Scott ran for a one-yard score, and then close out with a five-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. The Irish started off the scoring when Darrin Walls returns an interception 73 yards for a score, but Penn State's Derrick Williams one-upped the play with a brilliant 78-yard punt return for a score. Jordan Norwood scored on a ten-yard catch midway through second for all the points Penn State would need.
Player of the game: Penn State LB Dan Connor had 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass broken up.
Stat Leaders: Notre Dame - Passing: Jimmy Clausen, 17-32, 144 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Travis Thomas, 6-12. Receiving: Armando Allen, 6-38
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 12-22, 131 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Austin Scott, 28-116, 2 TDs. Receiving: Jordan Norwood, 3-20, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's not time to get too excited after beating FIU and a bad Notre Dame team, but the defense is humming and Austin Scott is running well. It was if the Nittany Lions knew the Irish couldn't score, so it pounded, pounded, and pounded the ball some more in the second half on the bad ND defensive front, and Scott benefited. Considering Michigan's problems, it'll be tempting to look ahead at the schedule and assume a 6-0 start before hosting Wisconsin, so keeping the team grounded will be the coaching staff's biggest issue.

Sept. 1
Penn State 59 ... Florida International 0
Anthony Morelli threw three touchdowns passes, Austin Scott rumbled for two short scores, and the Nittany Lion defense dominated in the easy win. Penn State got up 24-0 in the first half highlighted by a 17-yard Mickey Shuler touchdown catch, and then exploded for 28 points in the third quarter. FIU managed just seven first downs and was outgained 236 yards to -3 on the ground, and 549 yards to 114 overall.
Player of the game ... Penn State LB Sean Lee made seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, forced a fumble and broke up a pass
Stat Leaders: Florida International - Passing: Wayne Younger, 12-25, 117 yds
Rushing: Julian Reams, 8-11 Receiving: Greg Ellingson, 3-31
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 23-38, 295 yds, 3 TDs
Rushing: Evan Royster, 8-70, 1 TD  Receiving: Jordan Norwood, 5-92
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Penn State defense did exactly what it was supposed to do against a horrible offense like FIU's, while the offense took advantage of almost every opportunity it got thanks to the D. Anthony Morelli might not have been razor sharp, and Derrick Williams was average yet again with four catches for 31 yards, but the offense didn't have to operate at full capacity. Of some concern has to be the running of Austin Scott, who averaged a pedestrian 4.2 yards per carry despite running well around the goal line. Sean Lee and Dan Connor were terrific; this linebacking corps will dominate all year long.