2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Outback Bowl champion
Outback Bowl, W 20–10 vs. Tennessee
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 25
AP	No. 24
2006 record	9–4 (5–3 Big Ten)
Head coach	Joe Paterno (41st season)
Offensive coordinator	Galen Hall
Defensive coordinator	Tom Bradley
Home stadium	Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282)
Seasons

2006 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
#2/2 Ohio State †		8	–	0					12	–	1
#7/5 Wisconsin		7	–	1					12	–	1
#8/9 Michigan ‡		7	–	1					11	–	2
#24/25 Penn State		0*	–	3					0*	–	4
Purdue		5	–	3					8	–	6
Minnesota		3	–	5					6	–	7
Indiana		3	–	5					5	–	7
Iowa		2	–	6					6	–	7
Northwestern		2	–	6					4	–	8
Michigan State		1	–	7					4	–	8
Illinois		1	–	7					2	–	10
† – BCS representative as champion ‡ – BCS at-large representative *All wins for Penn State (9-4, 5-3) vacated due to scandal. Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll

The 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Previous season

Penn State had unexpected success in 2005, following two consecutive losing seasons. Beginning the season unranked in any poll, the team finished 11–1 and ranked third. With only one loss, the team was Big Ten co-champions with Ohio State. Linebacker Paul Posluszny won both the Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus Awards, and was a consensus All-American. Quarterback Michael Robinson finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Preseason

The team had key losses due to graduation, including Michael Robinson, Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis, Anwar Phillips, Calvin Lowry, and Ethan Kilmer. Paul Posluszny and offensive tackle Levi Brown decided to return to the team for the 2006 season, despite speculation both players would enter the NFL Draft. Posluszny and star receiver Derrick Williams returned from injuries that caused them to miss time in 2005.

Paul Posluszny and Levi Brown were elected co-captains of the football team for 2006. Posluszny becomes the team's first two-time captain since 1969. Posluszny was also named the 2006 Big Ten and consensus national pre-season Defensive Player of the Year.

Penn State was ranked No. 19 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls.

Recruiting class

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Chris Bell WR	Norfolk, VA	Granby HS	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.50	Oct 17, 2005
	Scout:File:5 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 81
Navorro Bowman LB	Forestville, MD	Suitland HS	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	218 lb (99 kg)	4.70	Dec 8, 2005
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 77
Brett Brackett QB	Lawrenceville, NJ	Lawrenceville, NJ	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	235 lb (107 kg)	4.71	May 12, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75
Brent Carter RB	Pottstown, PA	Pottsgrove SHS	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.55	Jan 29, 2006
	Scout:   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 40
Pat Devlin QB	Downingtown, PA	Downingtown East HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.70	Jan 23, 2006
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 82
Lou Eliades OL	Oakhurst, NJ	Ocean Township HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	283 lb (128 kg)	5.00	Dec 27, 2005
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 78
Maurice Evans DE	Middle Village, NY	Christ The King Regional HS	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	252 lb (114 kg)	4.70	Jan 7, 2006
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 91
Bani Gbadyu LB	Gaithersburg, MD	Quince Orchard HS	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.60	Dec 14, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 81
Cedric Jeffries S	Egg Harbor Twp, NJ	Egg Harbor Township HS	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.60	Dec 20, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 74
Doug Klopacz OL	Montvale, NJ	St. Joseph Regional HS	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	260 lb (120 kg)	4.75	Aug 12, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40
Abe Koroma DT	Hershey, PA	Milton Hershey School	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	270 lb (120 kg)	4.90	Jul 30, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40
Eric Latimore DE	Middletown, DE	Middletown HS	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.90	Oct 10, 2005 File:Grayshirt.png
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76
Antonio Logan-El OL	Forestville, MD	Forestville HS	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	310 lb (140 kg)	5.20	Jan 24, 2006
	Scout:File:5 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 78
Aaron Maybin DE	Ellicott City, MD	Mt. Hebron HS	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)	220 lb (100 kg)	4.67	Oct 17, 2005
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 77
Travis McBride S	McKeesport, PA	McKeesport Area SHS	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.50	Dec 12, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76
Tom McEowen DT	Langhorne, PA	Neshaminy HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.10	Jul 11, 2005
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 77
Jared Odrick DT	Lebanon, PA	Lebanon SHS	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)	285 lb (129 kg)	5.00	Dec 19, 2005
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 76
Ollie Ogbu DT	New Berlin, NY	Milford Academy	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	300 lb (140 kg)	4.96	May 13, 2005
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 40
Andrew Quarless TE	Uniondale, NY	Uniondale HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.50	Jan 13, 2006
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 77
Evan Royster RB	Chantilly, VA	Westfield HS	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.45	Jan 19, 2006
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 72
Phillip Taylor DT	Brandywine, MD	Gwynn Park HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	340 lb (150 kg)	5.50	Jan 24, 2006
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 79
Johnnie Troutman DE	Pemberton, NJ	Pemberton Twp. HS	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)	270 lb (120 kg)	4.90	Jan 21, 2006 File:Grayshirt.png
	Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77
A.J. Wallace CB	Pomfret, MD	Maurice J McDonough HS	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.40	Jan 7, 2006
	Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 82
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 6   Rivals: 6
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Penn State Commit List for 2006". Rivals.com. http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/commitments/2006/alabama-bwi. Retrieved February 8, 2007. "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Penn State". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=157&p=9&c=8&yr=2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007. "RecruitTracker 2006: Penn State". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/college-football/recruiting/school/_/id/213/class/2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=157&p=9&c=14&yr=2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007. "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007.

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Schedule

Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Indiana and Iowa this year.

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	3:30 p.m.	Akron*	No. 19	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN2	W 34–16	106,505
September 9	3:30 p.m.	at No. 4 Notre Dame*	No. 19	Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN	NBC	L 17–41	80,795
September 16	3:30 p.m.	Youngstown State*	No. 25	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPNU	W 37–3	104,953
September 23	3:30 p.m.	at No. 1 Ohio State	No. 24	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH (rivalry) (College GameDay)	ABC	L 6–28	105,266
September 30	3:30 p.m.	Northwestern		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ABC	W 33–7	108,837
October 7	12:00 p.m.	at Minnesota		Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN (Governor's Victory Bell)	ESPN+	W 28–27 OT	45,227
October 14	8:00 p.m.	No. 4 Michigan		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ABC	L 10–17	110,007
October 21	12:00 p.m.	Illinois		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN2	W 26–12	108,112
October 28	12:00 p.m.	at Purdue		Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	ABC	W 12–0	58,025
November 4	12:00 p.m.	at No. 17 Wisconsin		Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	ABC	L 3–13	81,777
November 11	3:30 p.m.	Temple*		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN+	W 47–0	105,950
November 18	12:00 p.m.	Michigan State		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (Land Grant Trophy)	ESPN2	W 17–13	108,607
January 1, 2007	11:00 a.m.	vs. No. 17 Tennessee*		Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL (Outback Bowl)	ESPN	W 20–10	65,601
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Personnel

Roster

2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 2 Williams, DerrickDerrick Williams 3.0 !So WR 3 Butler, DeonDeon Butler File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 4 Golden, TerrellTerrell Golden File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr QB 5 Brackett, BrettBrett Brackett 1.0 !Fr QB 6 Hart, MikeMike Hart File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr QB 7 Devlin, PatPat Devlin 1.0 !Fr RB 8 Kinlaw, RodneyRodney Kinlaw File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr TE 10 Quarless, AndrewAndrew Quarless 1.0 !Fr QB 13 Suhey, KevinKevin Suhey File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr QB 14 Morelli, AnthonyAnthony Morelli 5.0 !Jr QB 15 Cianciolo, PaulPaul Cianciolo File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So TE 16 Claude, FrancisFrancis Claude File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr QB 17 Clark, DaryllDaryll Clark File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 18 Mauti, PatrickPatrick Mauti File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 19 Bell, ChrisChris Bell 1.0 !Fr RB 22 Royster, EvanEvan Royster 1.0 !Fr WR 24 Norwood, JordanJordan Norwood 3.0 !So WR 25 Perretta, BrendanBrendan Perretta File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 26 Hunt, TonyTony Hunt 7.0 !Sr WR 28 Zug, GrahamGraham Zug 1.0 !Fr FB 30 Snow, BranDonBranDon Snow 7.0 !Sr RB 32 Carter, BrentBrent Carter 1.0 !Fr RB 33 Scott, AustinAustin Scott 7.0 !Sr RB 34 Hahn, MattMatt Hahn 5.0 !Jr WR 35 Alfreno, JesseJesse Alfreno 1.0 !Fr FB 38 Lawlor, DanDan Lawlor File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So RB 39 Pinchek, NickNick Pinchek File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 42 Ramsey, CharlesCharles Ramsey File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr TE 44 Hall, PatrickPatrick Hall 7.0 !Sr G 56 Hinton, AustinAustin Hinton File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So C 57 Shipley, A.Q.A.Q. Shipley 3.0 !So G 58 Harrison, GregGreg Harrison File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So C 60 Weber, PatickPatick Weber File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr T 61 Lowry, MattMatt Lowry 1.0 !Fr C 62 Muir, RossRoss Muir File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So G 63 Toriello, JoeJoe Toriello File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So G 64 Ohrnberger, RichRich Ohrnberger 3.0 !So G 65 Price, RobertRobert Price File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr T 67 Brown, LeviLevi Brown (C) File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr OL 68 Klopacz, DougDoug Klopacz 1.0 !Fr OL 69 Lucian, MikeMike Lucian File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 70 Bowman, WyattWyatt Bowman File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 71 Farris, MarkMark Farris 7.0 !Sr G 73 Landolt, DennisDennis Landolt File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr T 74 Troutman, JohnnieJohnnie Troutman 1.0 !Fr T 75 Kuzemchak, LeeLee Kuzemchak 7.0 !Sr OL 75 Logan-El, AntonioAntonio Logan-El 1.0 !Fr G 76 Cadogan, GeraldGerald Cadogan File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So OL 77 Eliades, LouLou Eliades 1.0 !Fr T 78 Shaw, JohnJohn Shaw File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr T 79 Auletta, ChrisChris Auletta File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr TE 81 Coakley, BrennanBrennan Coakley File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr FB 82 Shuler, MickeyMickey Shuler File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 83 Cousins, KevinKevin Cousins File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 84 McDonald, JamesJames McDonald File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr TE 87 Miskinis, GregGreg Miskinis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So TE 88 Darling, KevinKevin Darling 7.0 !Sr TE 89 Lyons, JordanJordan Lyons File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 King, JustinJustin King 3.0 !So LB 5 Hayes, JeromeJerome Hayes File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr S 6 Johnson, DonnieDonnie Johnson 7.0 !Sr S 7 Scirrotto, AnthonyAnthony Scirrotto 3.0 !So S 9 Ganter, JasonJason Ganter File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr CB 10 Sargeant, LydellLydell Sargeant 3.0 !So CB 11 Davis, TonyTony Davis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So CB 12 Wallace, A.J.A.J. Wallace 1.0 !Fr DT 13 Alford, JayJay Alford 7.0 !Sr LB 15 Gbadyu, BaniBani Gbadyu 1.0 !Fr LB 18 Bowman, NavorroNavorro Bowman 1.0 !Fr LB 19 Kubic, AndyAndy Kubic 7.0 !Sr LB 20 Shaw, TimTim Shaw File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr CB 21 Timmons, KnowledgeKnowledge Timmons File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr S 22 Hardy, DarienDarien Hardy 7.0 !Sr S 23 McCready, NolanNolan McCready 7.0 !Sr CB 25 Fentress, DevinDevin Fentress 3.0 !So S 27 Gummo, BenBen Gummo File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DB 27 McBride, TravisTravis McBride 1.0 !Fr CB 28 Harriott, WillieWillie Harriott File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DB 29 Jeffries, CedricCedric Jeffries 1.0 !Fr LB 31 Posluszny, PaulPaul Posluszny (C) 7.0 !Sr S 37 Ridenhour, SpencerSpencer Ridenhour File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DB 39 Rheam, DougDoug Rheam File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 40 Connor, DanDan Connor 5.0 !Jr LB 41 Yocum, NicNic Yocum File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 43 Hull, JoshJosh Hull File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 45 Lee, SeanSean Lee 3.0 !So LB 46 Sales, TyrellTyrell Sales File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DE 47 Gaines, JoshJosh Gaines File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DE 48 Evans, MauriceMaurice Evans 1.0 !Fr LB 51 Cianciolo, JoeJoe Cianciolo File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr LB 52 Brown, DonteyDontey Brown File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DT 53 Roach, SteveSteve Roach 7.0 !Sr DE 54 Hill, JedJed Hill File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DT 55 McEowen, TomTom McEowen 1.0 !Fr LB 57 Mauriello, ChrisChris Mauriello File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DE 59 Maybin, AaronAaron Maybin 1.0 !Fr DT 74 Koroma, AbeAbe Koroma 1.0 !Fr S 80 Rubin, MarkMark Rubin File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DT 85 Ogbu, OllieOllie Ogbu 1.0 !Fr DE 87 Rogers, ChrisChris Rogers 3.0 !So DL 90 Taylor, PhillipPhillip Taylor 1.0 !Fr DE 91 Odrick, JaredJared Odrick 1.0 !Fr DT 92 Johnson, EdEd Johnson 7.0 !Sr DT 93 Baker, ChrisChris Baker File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DE 94 Golarz, TomTom Golarz File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DT 95 Robinson, ElijahElijah Robinson File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DE 99 Shaw, JimJim Shaw 7.0 !Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 23 Kelly, KevinKevin Kelly 3.0 !So P 36 Kapinos, JeremyJeremy Kapinos File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr K 42 Wagner, CollinCollin Wagner 1.0 !Fr P 44 Boone, JeremyJeremy Boone File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr P 49 Ream, BrandonBrandon Ream 7.0 !Sr K 90 Daise, NickNick Daise File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr	Head coach Joe Paterno Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: August, 2006

Coaching staff

File:Lion Shrine PSU.jpg

The Nittany Lion

• Joe Paterno – Head Coach
• Dick Anderson – Offensive Line (Guards and Centers)
• Tom Bradley – Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks
• Galen Hall – Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs
• Larry Johnson, Sr. – Defensive Line
• Bill Kenney – Offensive Tackles and Tight Ends
• Mike McQueary – Wide Receivers and Recruiting Coordinator
• Brian Norwood – Safeties
• Jay Paterno – Quarterbacks
• Ron Vanderlinden – Linebackers
• John Thomas – Strength and Conditioning

Game summaries

September 2: Akron

File:Psu-akron.jpg

The Nittany Lions and Zips played in the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto in the season opener.

	1	2	3	4	OT
Akron	0	3	6	7	16
Penn State	10	7	7	10	34

Penn State played the Akron Zips in its home opener. Akron was unranked, however the team finished as the 2005 MAC Champions. Anthony Morelli threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first pass attempt of his first start. Penn State won the game 34–16. Akron kept it respectably close for a while before Penn State pulled away with a commanding 34–9 lead, allowing a late Zips touchdown to once again make it look respectable.

September 9: Notre Dame

See also: 2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Penn State	0	0	3	14	17
Notre Dame	3	17	14	7	41

Penn State played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana. After a close first quarter, Notre Dame pulled away from the young Penn State squad to win 41–17.

September 16: Youngstown State

	1	2	3	4	OT
Youngstown State	0	0	3	0	3
Penn State	0	20	10	7	37

Penn State defeated the Youngstown State Penguins by a score of 37–3 on September 16, 2006 at Beaver Stadium.

The Youngstown State Penguins were the 150th different team to face Penn State since 1887, the first year for Penn State football.

September 23: Ohio State

See also: 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Penn State	0	3	0	3	6
Ohio State	0	0	7	21	28

Penn State lost to the number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio on September 23, 2006, by the score of 28–6 in a game closer than the final score would indicate. Despite the score, Penn State led in many statistical areas, such as first downs, controlling the clock, and total yards, but only had six points to show for their dominating effort. After a scoreless first half, in which the Nittany Lions messed up a chance to score an early touchdown because fullback Matt Hahn broke loose, but was tackled near the goal line and fumbled before the ball crossed the plane. However, Penn State scored a field goal right before halftime after putting together their second long drive of the first half. Penn State led 3–0 at halftime, and controlled the tempo in much of the second half, despite the Buckeyes going up 7–3 following a missed Penn State field goal. Early in the fourth quarter, Troy Smith threw the football away, down the field to avoid a sack in a tipped, nearly intercepted, up for grabs pass that happened to be caught for a touchdown by Brian Robiskie. The Nittany Lions, still playing like they were in control of the game, responded with a strong drive that was called back at the 1 yard line for a false start. The Nittany Lions had to settle for a field goal, which helped shift the momentum to the Buckeyes, but Penn State would gain a full head of steam late in the game. The score was 14–6 in favor of the Buckeyes and Penn State was driving downfield with less than three minutes left. As Penn State led another potentially scoring drive far down the field, hoping to tie the game up at 14–14, it was intercepted and returned for a touchdown with roughly 2 minutes left on the clock. However, Malcolm Jenkins spiked the ball at the one yard line, which rolled into the endzone untouched. This was only noticed after the game. Antonio Smith returned another interception to clinch the victory with 1:07 remaining on the clock, this time from midfield. As ESPN had said, this allowed the Buckeyes to make the victory look easy when, in fact, it was a hard-fought victory, some Penn State fans feel that the Nittany Lions were the better team and should have won that contest, failing to realize that the mistakes that they made, even if it was "handing the game over on a silver platter", are as much a part of football as any other element, which is why a defense that can force turnovers is so highly regarded.

September 30: Northwestern

See also: 2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Northwestern	0	7	0	0	7
Penn State	6	10	17	0	33

Penn State defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 33–7 on September 30, 2006 at Beaver Stadium. Deon Butler set a Penn State record with 216 receiving yards, breaking O.J. McDuffie's record of 202 yards set against Boston College in 1992. Tony Hunt ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Morelli completed 19-of-33 passes for 288 yards.

October 7: Minnesota

See also: 2006 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and Governor's Victory Bell

	1	2	3	4	OT
Penn State	7	7	0	7	28
Minnesota	7	0	0	14	27

Penn State defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 28–27 in overtime. Tony Hunt rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns (2 rushing), the last in overtime for the game-winning touchdown. Anthony Morelli threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a dislocated ring finger on his left (non-throwing) hand. The game, tied at overtime, was decided by two factors, a missed extra point kick, and a pass interference penalty on Penn State's drive to give them a fresh set of downs. Both proved critical, as Penn State soon converted the touchdown and kicked the extra point to escape with the win.

October 14: Michigan

See also: 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Michigan	0	10	7	0	17
Penn State	0	3	0	7	10

Michigan's defensive front seven was the story of the game, collecting seven sacks and holding the Nittany Lions to −14 net rushing yards. On a third-quarter pass play, Alan Branch knocked Penn State's quarterback Anthony Morelli out of the game with a concussion; Penn State's backup quarterback Daryl Clark was later injured on a rushing attempt. Third-string quarterback Paul Cianciolo managed to throw the Nittany Lions' only touchdown pass of the game. The game was a homecoming for Pennsylvania native Henne, who played the only game of his career at Penn State. With Manningham not playing due to a knee injury suffered against Michigan State, Arrington and Breaston caught the bulk of Henne's passes, each collecting five receptions. Hart picked up his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and scored the winning touchdown

October 21: Illinois

See also: 2006 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Illinois	3	6	0	3	12
Penn State	3	0	14	9	26

Carried mostly by the play of its defense, Penn State defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 26–12 during homecoming weekend. Strong safety Anthony Scirrotto had two interceptions and returned an attempted onside kick for a touchdown.

Punter Jeremy Kapinos was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, averaging 45.6 yards per punt, with a long of 57 yards. He pinned Illinois inside its own 20 yard line four times. He also surpassed Ralph Giacomarro to become first all-time in career punting yardage (9,578). Linebacker Paul Posluszny was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, notching a season-high 13 tackles and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

October 28: Purdue

See also: 2006 Purdue Boilermakers football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Penn State	3	3	0	6	12
Purdue	0	0	0	0	0

Penn State's low-scoring win on the road against the Boilermakers saw running back Tony Hunt rush 31 times for 142 yards and a touchdown (along with 2 receptions for 36 yards) as the Nittany Lions posted a shutout against Purdue, their first ever under head coach Joe Tiller. The low score was primarily a result of the high winds and cold weather. It was Penn State's first shutout since a 49–0 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in October 2002.

Recording a game-high 12 tackles and an interception, linebacker Dan Connor was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

November 4: Wisconsin

See also: 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Penn State	0	3	0	0	3
Wisconsin	3	7	3	0	13

Penn State suffered a 13–3 loss on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff put the Badgers on the scoreboard first with a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly tied the score with a 39-yard field goal, but Badgers quarterback John Stocco countered with 14-yard touchdown pass to Paul Hubbard. Wisconsin added a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter. With the long-held ten point lead, the Badgers were the only Big Ten team that Penn State lost to that they had not played completely down to the wire. In both games, they had late chances to win the game, but in this game, again a stubborn defensive struggle, Penn State was unable to kick a second field goal that would have at least made it interesting late.

Recording 14 tackles, linebacker Paul Posluszny broke Greg Buttle's record for career tackles. Posluszny finished the game with 349 career tackles in a game where Penn State's defense did their part to hold Wisconsin to few yardage and points.

Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was injured during a sideline collision in the third quarter. Although reluctant to leave the sideline, he was taken to the locker room for evaluation and flown back to Penn State ahead of the team. There it was revealed that Paterno had a pair of fractures to his tibia along with tears of his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

November 11: Temple

	1	2	3	4	OT
Temple	0	0	0	0	0
Penn State	21	10	10	6	47

Running back Tony Hunt had a career day, scoring 4 touchdowns and rushing for 167 yards in two and a half quarters of play, as Penn State shut out the Temple Owls 47–0 with coach Joe Paterno absent from the sidelines for the first time since 1977. Derrick Williams scored on a 75-yard punt return, while placekicker Kevin Kelly added field goals of 19 and 33 yards. Reserve quarterback Daryll Clark scored on a 4th quarter run. Following the game, Penn State captains Levi Brown and Paul Posluszny visited Paterno at his home to present him with the game ball.

The game was the first in Happy Valley for former Nittany Lion tight end Al Golden as Temple head coach.

November 18: Michigan State

See also: Land Grant Trophy

See also: 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Michigan State	10	3	0	0	13
Penn State	0	7	7	3	17

23 seniors helped close out their regular season careers as Nittany Lions by winning the Land Grant Trophy with a 17–13 win over the Michigan State Spartans. Coach Joe Paterno, still nursing a broken shinbone, coached from the pressbox. Running back Tony Hunt overcame 2 first quarter fumbles to tally his seventh 100-yard game this season, rushing for 129 yards on 29 attempts. Quarterback Anthony Morelli, who also had 2 fumbles, finished 17-of-37 for 220 yards.

January 1: 2007 Outback Bowl – Tennessee

Main article: 2007 Outback Bowl

See also: 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team

	1	2	3	4	OT
Tennessee	3	7	0	0	10
Penn State	0	10	0	10	20

The 2007 Outback Bowl featured Penn State against the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. Penn State last participated in the game in 1999, when they won over the Kentucky Wildcats by the score of 26–14. Tennessee last played in Tampa in the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl, defeating the Boston College Eagles 38–23. Before this game, Penn State's last game versus Tennessee was the 1994 Florida Citrus Bowl where they crushed the heavily favored Volunteers in an easy 31–13 victory.

Penn State defeated the favored Tennessee 20–10 for Joe Paterno's record 22nd bowl win. Tony Hunt led the PSU offense running for 158 yards on 31 carries. Tony Davis returned a fumble 88 yards for the game-winning touchdown. First Team All-Big Ten Conference strong safety Anthony Scirrotto also recorded his sixth interception of the season. The key play of the game was a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth, Penn State ran down the clock, but despite stalling in the red zone, kicked a field goal that put the game out of reach.

Rankings

See also: 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking Movement

Poll	Pre	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	Wk 6	Wk 7	Wk 8	Wk 9	Wk 10	Wk 11	Wk 12	Wk 13	Wk 14	Final
AP	19	19	25	24	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	24
Coaches	19	19	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	25
Harris	Not released				NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	Not released
BCS	Not released							NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	25	NR	NR

Awards

Watchlists

• Levi Brown

  Lombardi Award watchlist

  Outland Trophy watchlist

• Dan Connor

  Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist

  Dick Butkus Award watchlist

• Tony Hunt

  Doak Walker Award watchlist

• Jeremy Kapinos

  Ray Guy Award watchlist

• Paul Posluszny

  Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist

  Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist

  Lindy's Football Heisman Trophy watchlist

  Lombardi Award watchlist

  Dick Butkus Award watchlist

  Draddy Trophy semifinalist and finalist

  Lott Trophy watchlist

  Walter Camp Player of the Year watchlist

• Tim Shaw

  Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist

• Derrick Williams

  Maxwell Award watchlist

Players

• Jay Alford

  Third-team Associated Press All-American

  Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)

• Levi Brown

  Second-team Walter Camp All-American

  Second-team Sporting News All-American

  Third-team Associated Press All-American

  Second-team All-Big Ten

• Gerald Cadogan

  ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District

• Dan Connor

  First-team Sporting News All-American

  Second-team Associated Press All-American

  Second-team All-Big Ten

  Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 2)

  Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 28)

• Maurice Evans

  Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team

• Tony Hunt

  Second-team All-Big Ten

  Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 11)

  Most Valuable Player, 2007 Outback Bowl

  Most Valuable Player, 2007 Senior Bowl

• Jeremy Kapinos

  Third-team Associated Press All-American

  Second-team All-Big Ten

  Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Sep. 23)

  Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 21)

• Justin King

  Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)

• Nolan McCready

  ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District

  Second-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American

• Paul Posluszny

  2006 Bednarik Award winner

  ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District

  First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American

  ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year

  First-team Associated Press All-American

  First-team Walter Camp All-American

  First-team All-Big Ten

  Second-team Sporting News All-American

  Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21)

  National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete fellowship

  NCAA Defensive Player of the Year

• Andrew Quarless

  Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team

• Anthony Scirrotto

  First-team All-Big Ten (conference media selection)

  ESPN.com All-Bowl Team

• Tim Shaw

  ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District

  First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American

Post season

Penn State finished the season ranked number 24 in the final AP college football poll and number 25 in the final USA Today college football poll, earning Penn State its 32nd Top 25 finish under Joe Paterno.

The team's success helped Penn State finish second in football attendance for the fourth time this decade and in the top four for the 16th consecutive year, averaging 107,567 for seven home games, including a crowd of 110,007 on October 14 to watch Penn State host Michigan in primetime, the second-largest in Beaver Stadium history. Penn State finished the season with a sellout crowd of 65,601 at the Outback Bowl.

Five players participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, held February 22–27 in Indianapolis, IN: Jay Alford, Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny, and Tim Shaw.

NFL draft

Five Penn State players were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Round	Pick	Overall	Name	Position	Team
1st	5	5	Levi Brown	Offensive tackle	Arizona Cardinals
2nd	2	34	Paul Posluszny	Linebacker	Buffalo Bills
3rd	18	81	Jay Alford	Defensive tackle	New York Giants
3rd	27	90	Tony Hunt	Running back	Philadelphia Eagles
5th	27	164	Tim Shaw	Linebacker	Carolina Panthers

All-star games

Game	Date	Site	Players
61st Hula Bowl	January 14, 2007	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	Jay Alford, Ed Johnson, Tim Shaw
58th Senior Bowl	January 27, 2007	Ladd–Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama	Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny

External links

• Season statistics