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2004 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

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2004 Penn State Nittany Lions football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
2004 record4–7 (2–6 Big Ten)
Head coachJoe Paterno (39th season)
Offensive coordinatorGalen Hall
Defensive coordinatorTom Bradley
Home stadiumBeaver Stadium
(Capacity: 107,282)
Seasons
← 2003
2005 →
2004 Big Ten football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
#14/12 Michigan †§   7 – 1         9 – 3  
#8/8 Iowa §   7 – 1         10 – 2  
#17/18 Wisconsin   6 – 2         9 – 3  
Northwestern   5 – 3         6 – 6  
#20/19 Ohio State   4 – 4         8 – 4  
Purdue   4 – 4         7 – 5  
Michigan State   4 – 4         5 – 7  
Minnesota   3 – 5         7 – 5  
Penn State   0* – 6         0* – 7  
Illinois   1 – 7         3 – 8  
Indiana   1 – 7         3 – 8  
† – BCS representative as champion
§ – Conference co-champions

The 2004 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Preseason[]

The spring saw some changes to the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Fran Ganter was named the new Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration, after 37 years as a player and coach for Penn State. Former Penn State quarterback Galen Hall joined the coaching staff as the new offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Mike McQueary, another former Penn State quarterback, joins the staff as the wide receivers coach and will also serve as the recruiting coordinator.[1]

In addition to the coaching changes, head coach Joe Paterno had his contract extended through the 2008 football season, despite having had three losing seasons in the past four.[2]

Last season's second-leading receiver Maurice Humphrey was expelled from school and convicted of three counts of simple assault. He would not play another down for Penn State. Humphrey's expulsion created a void of experience at the wide receiver position. Senior Gerald Smith was the most experienced receiver, and he had only 15 catches in 2003.

Prior to the season, Zack Mills and Derek Wake were elected team co-captains by their teammates.[3]

Penn State started the season unranked in both the AP and the Coaches college football preseason polls.

Recruiting class[]

|}

Schedule[]

Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Illinois and Michigan this year.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 43:30 p.m.Akron*
ESPN+W 48–1098,866
September 118:00 p.m.at Boston College*
ABCL 7–2144,500
September 1812:00 p.m.UCF*
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN+W 37–13101,715
September 255:45 p.m.at No. 20 Wisconsin
ESPNL 3–1682,179
October 28:00 p.m.at No. 18 Minnesota
ESPN+L 7–1650,386
October 94:30 p.m.No. 9 Purdue
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPNL 13–20108,183
October 2312:00 p.m.No. 25 Iowadagger
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN2L 4–6108,062
October 3012:00 p.m.at Ohio State
ABCL 10–21104,947
November 612:00 p.m.Northwestern
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN+L 7–14100,353
November 1312:00 p.m.at Indiana
ESPN+W 22–1824,092
November 2012:00 p.m.Michigan State
ESPN2W 37–13101,486
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Personnel[]

Roster[]

2004 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 2 Vendemia, GioGio Vendemia File:Redshirt.svg Jr
QB 3 Ganter, ChrisChris Ganter File:Redshirt.svg Jr
QB 6 Hart, MikeMike Hart File:Redshirt.svg Fr
QB 7 Mills, ZackZack Mills (C) Sr
RB 8 Kinlaw, RodneyRodney Kinlaw File:Redshirt.svg Fr
WR 9 Phillips, TerranceTerrance Phillips File:Redshirt.svg Jr
WR 11 Golden, TerrellTerrell Golden File:Redshirt.svg Fr
QB 12 Robinson, MichaelMichael Robinson Jr
WR 13 Palmer, KintaKinta Palmer File:Redshirt.svg Jr
QB 14 Morelli, AnthonyAnthony Morelli Fr
QB 15 Cianciolo, PaulPaul Cianciolo Fr
WR 16 Corrado, DanDan Corrado File:Redshirt.svg So
WR 17 Baird, MikeMike Baird File:Redshirt.svg Jr
TE 18 Lynons, JordanJordan Lynons Fr
QB 19 Lundquist, TomTom Lundquist File:Redshirt.svg Jr
WR 19 Smith, GeraldGerald Smith File:Redshirt.svg Sr
TE 22 Hill, JedJed Hill Fr
WR 25 Perretta, BrendanBrendan Perretta File:Redshirt.svg Fr
RB 26 Hunt, TonyTony Hunt So
RB 28 Wilson, ChrisChris Wilson File:Redshirt.svg So
RB 33 Scott, AustinAustin Scott So
RB 34 Hahn, MattMatt Hahn Fr
RB 36 Pinchek, NickNick Pinchek File:Redshirt.svg Fr
FB 38 Lawlor, DanDan Lawlor Fr
FB 39 Jefferson, PaulPaul Jefferson File:Redshirt.svg Sr
FB 42 Senk, AdamAdam Senk File:Redshirt.svg Jr
FB 47 Gilmore, BrianBrian Gilmore File:Redshirt.svg Jr
T 50 Richardson, AndrewAndrew Richardson File:Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 51 Harris, TimTim Harris Fr
G 54 Davis, ScottScott Davis File:Redshirt.svg Sr
OL 56 Hinton, AustinAustin Hinton Fr
T 58 Harrison, GregGreg Harrison Fr
G 59 Rush, CharlesCharles Rush File:Redshirt.svg Jr
C 60 Weber, PatickPatick Weber File:Redshirt.svg Fr
OL 61 Muir, RossRoss Muir Fr
OL 63 Toriello, JoeJoe Toriello Fr
OL 64 Bowman, WyattWyatt Bowman Fr
G 65 Price, RobertRobert Price File:Redshirt.svg So
C 66 Antolick, LanceLance Antolick File:Redshirt.svg Jr
T 67 Brown, LeviLevi Brown File:Redshirt.svg So
T 68 Wilson, JohnJohn Wilson File:Redshirt.svg Jr
OL 69 Schnell, TommyTommy Schnell Fr
G 70 Marmo, NickNick Marmo File:Redshirt.svg Sr
G 71 Farris, MarkMark Farris So
OL 72 Varva, TrentTrent Varva Fr
T 73 Holler, JoelJoel Holler Fr
G 74 Reed, TylerTyler Reed File:Redshirt.svg Jr
T 76 Cadogan, GeraldGerald Cadogan Fr
C 77 Smith, E.Z.E.Z. Smith File:Redshirt.svg Jr
T 79 Auletta, ChrisChris Auletta File:Redshirt.svg Fr
WR 80 Rubin, MarkMark Rubin Fr
TE 81 Smolko, IsaacIsaac Smolko File:Redshirt.svg Jr
WR 82 Surma, VicVic Surma File:Redshirt.svg So
WR 83 Scott, RyanRyan Scott File:Redshirt.svg Sr
TE 87 Bronson, JohnJohn Bronson File:Redshirt.svg Sr
TE 88 Darling, KevinKevin Darling File:Redshirt.svg So
TE 98 Pawlikowski, MikeMike Pawlikowski File:Redshirt.svg Sr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 1 Phillips, AnwarAnwar Phillips File:Redshirt.svg Jr
DB 3 Butler, DeonDeon Butler Fr
S 5 Kanuch, JimJim Kanuch So
S 6 Johnson, DonnieDonnie Johnson So
S 10 Lowry, CalvinCalvin Lowry File:Redshirt.svg Jr
S 11 Ganter, JasonJason Ganter File:Redshirt.svg Fr
LB 14 Kubic, AndyAndy Kubic So
CB 15 Wise, BrentBrent Wise File:Redshirt.svg Fr
CB 16 Davis, TonyTony Davis Fr
DE 17 Chisley, LavonLavon Chisley File:Redshirt.svg Jr
S 18 Guman, AndrewAndrew Guman File:Redshirt.svg Sr
CB 20 Mills, MarcusMarcus Mills File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 20 Shaw, TimTim Shaw File:Redshirt.svg So
CB 21 Zemaitis, AlanAlan Zemaitis Jr
CB 22 Hardy, DarienDarien Hardy So
S 24 McCready, NolanNolan McCready So
S 27 Harrell, ChrisChris Harrell Sr
S 29 Cronin, PaulPaul Cronin File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 30 Snow, BranDonBranDon Snow So
LB 31 Posluszny, PaulPaul Posluszny So
CB 35 Royse, JohnJohn Royse File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 35 Zwierzynski, J.R.J.R. Zwierzynski File:Redshirt.svg So
DB 37 Ridenhour, SpencerSpencer Ridenhour Fr
LB 40 Connor, DanDan Connor Fr
DT 41 Paxson, ScottScott Paxson File:Redshirt.svg Jr
S 43 Kilmer, EthanEthan Kilmer File:Redshirt.svg Jr
DE 44 Hall, PatrickPatrick Hall So
LB 45 Bedics, PatPat Bedics Fr
DB 46 Reese, CurtCurt Reese File:Redshirt.svg Jr
DL 46 Sales, TyrellTyrell Sales Fr
LB 48 Pavelic, MattMatt Pavelic File:Redshirt.svg So
LB 49 Burton, DorianDorian Burton File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 51 Cianciolo, JoeJoe Cianciolo File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 52 Brown, DonteyDontey Brown Fr
DT 53 Roach, SteveSteve Roach So
DE 54 Purcell, AmaniAmani Purcell File:Redshirt.svg Fr
DE 55 Rice, MatthewMatthew Rice File:Redshirt.svg Jr
LB 56 Sothern, MikeMike Sothern File:Redshirt.svg Fr
DL 62 Daise, NickNick Daise So
DL 69 Robinson, JasonJason Robinson File:Redshirt.svg Sr
DT 75 Kuzemchak, LeeLee Kuzemchak So
DT 78 Shaw, JohnJohn Shaw So
LB 84 Gaines, JoshJosh Gaines Fr
DT 85 Alford, JayJay Alford So
DL 86 Lucian, MikeMike Lucian Fr
DL 91 Hali, TambaTamba Hali File:Redshirt.svg Jr
DT 92 Johnson, EdEd Johnson File:Redshirt.svg So
DL 93 Shipley, A.Q.A.Q. Shipley Fr
LB 94 Wake, DerekDerek Wake (C) File:Redshirt.svg Sr
DT 95 Robinson, ElijahElijah Robinson Fr
DL 96 Ohrnberger, RichRich Ohrnberger Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 4 Gould, RobbieRobbie Gould File:Redshirt.svg Sr
K 13 Humes, PatrickPatrick Humes Fr
K 21 Prokopik, JoeJoe Prokopik Fr
K 23 Bernatos, TonyTony Bernatos Fr
P 36 Kapinos, JeremyJeremy Kapinos File:Redshirt.svg So
P 49 Ream, BrandonBrandon Ream So
LS 57 Mauriello, ChrisChris Mauriello File:Redshirt.svg Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 13, 2004

Coaching staff[]

Game summaries[]

Akron[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Akron 3 0 0 7 10
Penn State 21 20 7 0 48




The overwhelmed Zips find themselves behind 41–3 at halftime against Penn State, who subs in the backups, Penn State scores once in the third to make it 48–3, and Akron scores a late, meaningless touchdown against the Lions to bring the score to 48–10, with this being Galen Hall's first game as an offensive coordinator. This game gave Penn State fans false hope that their team was on the rebound from their 3–9 season last year. ESPN described the offense as "looking unstoppable", which led to the Lions being favored over Boston College the following week.

Boston College[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Penn State 0 0 7 0 7
Boston College 7 7 7 0 21




Boston College takes a 14–0 halftime lead at home over the Nittany Lions, and then takes a 21–7 lead after three for the game's final points. Sloppy play on offense ultimately doomed Penn State as Boston College becomes the first of three teams to score 20 or more points on a defense that didn't allow more than 21 points all year and the only team to score 21 offensive points on the Nittany Lions.

UCF[]

1 2 3 4 OT
UCF 3 3 0 7 13
Penn State 0 21 9 7 37




Despite sloppy play and mistakes, the Golden Knights couldn't help but find themselves blown out by a much better Penn State team. After falling behind 3–0 in the first quarter, the Nittany Lions make it 21–6 at halftime and 30–6 after three thanks to a touchdown and a safety. The backups are subbed in for the fourth, both teams score, and it's 37–13 as the final score.

Wisconsin[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Penn State 0 0 3 0 3
Wisconsin 7 6 3 0 16




In a defensive game, three of Penn State's quarterbacks were injured. Zack Mills was knocked out for the game, sustained a concussion, and backup Michael Robinson was taken away in an ambulance after sustaining life-threatening injuries from a vicious hit. Third stringer Chris Ganter did little against the Badgers' defense with Penn State only managing a field goal in the third quarter, barely preserving their streak of games without being shut out. Wisconsin only scored 16 points, which was well below their average for the year.

Minnesota[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Penn State 0 0 7 0 7
Minnesota 10 0 6 0 16




See also: 2004 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

After the game, Minnesota players had said that they hadn't seen a defense of Penn State's caliber before, but won because of Penn State's offensive weaknesses, still, Penn State's defense kept them in the game for the majority of the game, which would be true for every game this season.

Purdue[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Purdue 3 7 7 3 20
Penn State 0 10 3 0 13




Purdue managed only their second Big Ten win in history over Penn State by holding on for a 20–13 win at Beaver Stadium. It was a 10–10 tie and 17–13 after three, but Purdue's final field goal was enough to win it. Purdue's historic losses to Penn State include a loss in 2000 to a 5–7 Nittany Lions team while Purdue themselves were Big Ten champions, representing themselves at the Rose Bowl.

Iowa[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Iowa 3 3 0 0 6
Penn State 2 0 0 2 4




This is a game that by many Penn State fans was considered a low point for the football program because of the inept offenses and the fact that the only Penn State scores were defensive. The Penn State defense effectively shut down the Hawkeyes, forcing two first half field goals, but was unable to get anything going on offense. Penn State took a 2–0 lead on a safety early in the game, but the Hawkeyes had a field goal to make it 3–2, then another to make it 6–2 at halftime. The Hawkeyes barely gained any ground in the second half, and the Nittany Lions got their final two points from an elective safety in the fourth quarter because Iowa feared that Penn State would block the punt in the end zone, taking the lead on a touchdown, because they had already blocked a few punts that day. The strategy worked, Penn State coughed up the ball on their next drive and Iowa took a knee to kill the clock. While this game was a low point for Penn State, it was a big game for the Hawkeyes because head coach Kirk Ferentz's father died the week before.

Ohio State[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Penn State 0 7 0 3 10
Ohio State 14 7 0 0 21




Ohio State scored a defensive and special teams touchdown, but Penn State's defense mostly kept them out of the end zone in a 21–10 loss, one of two times they scored double digits in the Horseshoe as a Big 10 team, the other time being in 2008 where they won 13–6 to take control of the Big Ten race. Penn State actually outscored the Buckeyes 10–7 offensively.

Northwestern[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Northwestern 7 0 0 7 14
Penn State 0 7 0 0 7




Penn State held the momentum and controlled the tempo of most of the game, but couldn't quite put the Wildcats away, despite having a few opportunities to, including a missed field goal and a drive that ended at the Northwestern 18, losing another close game 7–14.

Indiana[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Penn State 7 0 7 8 22
Indiana 7 6 0 5 18




This is the game that is said to have turned Penn State's fortunes around. In the same way that the 1999 upset loss to Minnesota was believed to begin a downward spiral called "The Dark Years" by Penn State fans, this close game that ended with a four down goal line stand very late in the game, with Penn State clinging to a 22–16 lead, is said to have been the game that started Penn State on the winning track again and springboarded the team towards the 2005 Big Ten championship. Indiana managed a 13–7 halftime lead, but late in the game found themselves down 22–16, only scoring a field goal but leading 16–14 until Penn State took the lead on a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Penn State stopped Indiana four straight times at the goal line, eventually conceding a safety on the final play of the game to prevent Indiana from having a chance to win. Penn State's goal line stand at Indiana as a result of the momentum it gave the team is considered one of the best Penn State games.

Michigan State[]

1 2 3 4 OT
Michigan State 3 3 0 7 13
Penn State 0 3 28 6 37




The Spartans of Michigan State were 5–5, hoping to become bowl eligible, and the only thing standing in their way was a 3–7 Penn State team who only had one Big Ten win, but the goal line stand at Indiana that led to the Penn State victory the previous week gave them the momentum to win this game big. After a slow first half where Michigan State led 6–3, Penn State rolled off 28 third quarter points to put the game out of reach, going up 31–6 on the Spartans thanks to a plethora of interceptions. Penn State would kick two more field goals in the last quarter while the Spartans scored a late touchdown against backups.

Awards[]

Watchlists[]

Players[]

Post season[]

The offense did not get going until the third quarter of the final game, but the defense finished the season in the top 10 in four NCAA statistical categories and was the only team in the nation to not allow more than 21 points a game. The Nittany Lion defense ranked fifth in scoring defense (15.3 points per game), ranked tenth in total defense (291.55 yards per game), ranked sixth in pass defense (162.3 ypg), ranked fourth in pass efficiency defense (99.8 rating), and held all 11 opponents below their total offense average.[14]

Despite the losing record, Penn State ranked among the top four in attendance for the 14th consecutive year, averaging 103,111 in six home games, including attendances of 108,183 against Purdue and 108,062 against Iowa, the ninth and tenth largest crowds in Beaver Stadium history.[15]

None of the departing players were drafted in the 2005 NFL Draft, but a number of players signed with NFL teams as free agents.

All-star games[]

Game Date Site Players
80th East–West Shrine Game January 15, 2005 SBC Park, San Francisco Andrew Guman
7th Gridiron Classic January 15, 2005 The Villages Polo Stadium, The Villages, Florida Paul Jefferson
59th Hula Bowl January 22, 2005 War Memorial Stadium, Wailuku, Hawaii Derek Wake
2nd Las Vegas All-American Classic January 22, 2005 Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada Zack Mills

External links[]

References[]

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  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named defense
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named attendance
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