2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Last updated

2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State text logo.svg
Capital One Bowl, L 9–13 vs. Auburn
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 15
APNo. 16
Record9–4 (5–3 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Fran Ganter (19th season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley (3rd season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
Seasons
  2001
2003  
2002 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ohio State $#+  8 0   14 0  
No. 8 Iowa  %+  8 0   11 2  
No. 9 Michigan  6 2   10 3  
No. 16 Penn State  5 3   9 4  
Purdue  4 4   7 6  
Illinois  4 4   5 7  
Minnesota  3 5   8 5  
Wisconsin  2 6   8 6  
Michigan State  2 6   4 8  
Northwestern  1 7   3 9  
Indiana  1 7   3 9  
  • # BCS National Champion
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • + Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll [1]

The 2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. [2] The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Contents

Preseason

The Nittany Lions returned 16 starters from the previous season, who won five of its final seven games. Six starters returned on defense, led by defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, who returned for his fifth year despite speculations he would enter the NFL Draft. [3]

The offensive unit averted a possible quarterback controversy when last year's starter Matt Senneca announced that he would not be returning for his final year of eligibility. [4] Redshirt sophomore Zack Mills would lead the offense, with expectations high after showing flashes of brilliance coming off the bench in 2001. Larry Johnson would also become the featured back, after spending three seasons playing in a tailback-by-committee that had inconsistent production. Johnson will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line that returned all five starters.

Penn State was ranked number 24 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls.

Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
Jay Alford
DT
Orange, NJOrange HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)270 lb (120 kg)4.80NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Chris Auletta
OL
Melville, NYSt. Anthony's HS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)300 lb (140 kg)5.30NA  Grayshirt.png
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Brian Borgoyn
OL
Pittsburgh, PAWoodland Hills SHS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)290 lb (130 kg)NANA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Levi Brown
DT
Norfolk, VAGranby HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)290 lb (130 kg)5.00Dec 19, 2001 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Mark Farris
OL
Pittsburgh, PANorth Hills SHS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)285 lb (129 kg)5.00Jan 23, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Vince Gliatta
DB
Canton, OHCanton Central Catholic HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.50NA  Grayshirt.png
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Tamba Hali
DE
Teaneck, NJTeaneck HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)240 lb (110 kg)4.70Jan 27, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Patrick Hall
RB
Canton, GASequoyah HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)230 lb (100 kg)NAJan 13, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 1 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Josh Hannum
WR
Wallingford, PAStrath Haven HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.20NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Maurice Humphrey
CB
Berlin, CTBerlin HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.40Nov 26, 2001 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Donnie Johnson
RB
Cincinnati, OHNorth College Hill HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)195 lb (88 kg)4.40Dec 21, 2001 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Ed Johnson
DE
Detroit, MICrockett Vocational Tech6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)255 lb (116 kg)4.70NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 1 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Jim Kanuch
S
Johnstown, PAWestmont Hilltop HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.43NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Jeremy Kapinos
P
Springfield, VAWest Springfield HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.90Dec 11, 2001 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Lee Lispi
OL
Pittston, PAPittston Area SHS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)295 lb (134 kg)5.10NA  Grayshirt.png
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Calvin Lowry
CB
Fayetteville, NC Douglas Byrd HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)4.40NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Robert Price
OL
Shaker Heights, OHShaker Heights HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)295 lb (134 kg)5.20NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Steve Roach
OL
Martinsburg, WVMartinsburg Senior HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)305 lb (138 kg)5.20NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Tim Shaw
RB
Livonia, MIClarenceville HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)217 lb (98 kg)4.44Jan 28, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
BranDon Snow
LB
Newark, DENewark HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)225 lb (102 kg)4.47Feb 6, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Chris Wilson
RB
Baltimore, MDCatonsville HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)245 lb (111 kg)4.60NA 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 1 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
J.R. Zwierzynski
RB
Joliet, ILJoliet Catholic Academy6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.50Jan 18, 2002 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 16   Rivals: 21
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Penn State Commit List for 2002". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Penn State". Scout.com. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  • "2002 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 9, 2007.

Pre-season awards

Playboy pre-season All-American [5]
Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-American [6]
Second-team Lindy's pre-season All-American [6]
Lindy's pre-season Big Ten Most Valuable Player [6]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3112:00 p.m. [7] UCF *No. 24 ESPN [7] W 27–24103,029
September 148:00 p.m. [8] No. 8 Nebraska *
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC [8] W 40–7110,753
September 2112:00 p.m. [9] Louisiana Tech *No. 15
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN Plus [9] W 49–17103,987
September 2812:00 p.m. [10] Iowa No. 12
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN [10] L 35–42 OT108,247
October 53:30 p.m. [11] at No. 19 Wisconsin No. 20ABC [11] W 34–3179,403
October 123:30 p.m. [12] at No. 13 Michigan No. 15ABC [12] L 24–27 OT111,502
October 1912:00 p.m. [13] Northwestern Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 20
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN2 [14] W 49–0108,853
October 263:30 p.m. [15] at No. 4 Ohio State No. 18ABC [15] L 7–13105,103
November 23:30 p.m. [16] Illinois No. 20
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN [16] W 18–7105,589
November 93:30 p.m. [17] Virginia *No. 19
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC [17] W 35–14108,698
November 163:30 p.m. [18] at Indiana No. 16ESPN2 [19] W 58–2527,454
November 233:30 p.m. [19] Michigan State No. 15
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ABC [19] W 61–7108,755
January 1, 20031:00 p.m.vs. No. 19 Auburn *No. 10ABC [20] L 9–1366,334
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Roster

}}

2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 2Josh HannumFr
QB 3Chris Ganter Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 5 Larry Johnson Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 6Donnie JohnsonFr
QB 7 Zack Mills So
WR 9Terrance Phillips Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 11 Tony Johnson Jr
QB 12 Michael Robinson Fr
WR 13Kinta Palmer Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 13Reginald WalkerSo
QB 14Andy KubicFr
WR 15Kevin DarlingFr
QB 16Dan CorradoFr
QB 17Greg HennigarFr
QB 19Tom Lundquist Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 19Gerald Smith Redshirt.svg  So
RB 20 Tim Shaw Fr
WR 22Pete Gilmore Redshirt.svg  So
RB 23Aric HeffelfingerFr
WR 24 Bryant Johnson Sr
RB 26Mike Gasparato Redshirt.svg  So
RB 30BranDon SnowFr
WR 31Ernie Terrell Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 32Chris WilsonFr
TE 33Mike Lukac Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 36Brian Fairchild Redshirt.svg  Fr
FB 39Paul Jefferson Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 42 Sean McHugh Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 44Ricky Upton Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 45Adam Senk Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 46Zachery MoranFr
G 50Tyler LendaSr
OL 52Blase IorioFr
G 54Scott Davis Redshirt.svg  So
OL 56Tommy McHughFr
OL 59Eric RickenbachSr
C 60Robert PriceFr
C 61David Costlow Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 62Nick DaiseFr
C 63Joe IorioSr
OT 64Matt SchmittSr
OL 66Lance Antolick Redshirt.svg  Fr
G 67Jonathan Nabavi Redshirt.svg  Jr
OT 68John Wilson Redshirt.svg  Fr
C 70Nick Marmo Redshirt.svg  So
G 71Mark FarrisFr
OT 72Gus FelderSr
G 74 Tyler Reed Redshirt.svg  Fr
OT 75Chris McKelvyJr
OT 76Damone JonesJr
G 77E.Z. SmithFr
OL 78Brian BorgoynFr
OL 79Shawn CampbellSr
WR 80Scott Shirley Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 81Jason Stryker Redshirt.svg  So
WR 82Vic SurmaFr
WR 83Ryan Scott Redshirt.svg  So
WR 84Steve Delich Redshirt.svg  Sr
TE 85 Isaac Smolko Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 88 Matt Kranchick Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 89Andrew Richardson Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 91Mike Pawlikowski Redshirt.svg  So
TE 93Casey Williams Redshirt.svg  Jr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 1 Anwar Phillips Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 2Deryck TolesJr
S 8Jesse NeumeyerFr
DB 9Jim KanuchFr
DB 10 Calvin Lowry Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 15Yaacov YisraelJr
LB 16 Andy Ryland Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
DE 17Lavon Chisley Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 18Andrew Guman Redshirt.svg  So
DB 20Marcus Mills Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 21 Alan Zemaitis Fr
DB 22Maurice HumphreyFr
S 23 Shawn Mayer Sr
CB 25 Rich Gardner Jr
DB 26Nolan McCreadyFr
S 27 Chris Harrell So
CB 28James MillonSr
S 29Paul Cronin Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 29Ryan PinckneySr
CB 30Eric DareJr
CB 32 Bryan Scott Sr
DB 34Gio Vendemia Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 35John Royse Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 35J.R. ZwierzynskiFr
LB 37LaMar StewartSo
LB 38Jimi MitchellSo
LB 40T.C. CosbySo
LB 41 Scott Paxson Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 43 Adam Taliaferro Jr
LB 44Patrick HallFr
LB 45Pat BedicsFr
DB 46Curt Reese Redshirt.svg  So
LB 47Gino CaponeJr
DB 48Ben Lego Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 48Zack PierceFr
LB 51Tim Johnson Redshirt.svg  So
DL 53Steve RoachFr
DE 55 Matthew Rice Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 57Charles Rush Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 58Dethrell GarciaFr
DT 60Tyler ValoczkiSr
DT 62Randy BuckSr
LB 65Sam RuheJr
DT 69Jason Robinson Redshirt.svg  So
DT 73 Jimmy Kennedy Sr
DE 81 Michael Haynes Sr
DE 86Jeremiah DavisSo
DE 87 John Bronson Redshirt.svg  So
DT 90 Levi Brown Fr
DT 91 Tamba Hali Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 92Ed JohnsonFr
LB 94 Derek Wake Redshirt.svg  So
DL 95Mike SothernFr
DL 96 Jay Alford Fr
DE 97Greg BauerFr
DT 98 Anthony Adams Sr
DT 99Tim FallsSr
special_teams_players=
K 4 Robbie Gould Redshirt.svg  So
P 14David RoyerSr
K 25Matt HuetSo
P 36 Jeremy Kapinos Fr
K 95David KimballJr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: October 12, 2002

Game summaries

UCF

1234Total
UCF3601524
Penn State10010727

After a sloppy first half, Penn State scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and then withstood a late charge to hold off the Golden Knights for a 27–24 win. Zack Mills was 13 of 20 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. On defense, Anthony Adams recovered a fumbled snap to set up a field goal, and Derek Wake blocked a field goal attempt. Trailing 27–9 in the fourth quarter, UCF got within three points with 24 seconds remaining but failed to recover the onside kick, and Penn State ran out the clock. [21]

Nebraska

1234Total
Nebraska07007
Penn State01320740

In front of a crowd of 110,753, a new Beaver Stadium attendance record that stood intact for 15 years, (110,823 VS Michigan 2017) Penn State routed the Cornhuskers 40–7, as Larry Johnson and backup quarterback Michael Robinson each had two touchdown runs. Cornerback Rich Gardner had his first career interception and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was Penn State's first victory over a top 10 team since 1999. [22]

Louisiana Tech

1234Total
Louisiana Tech1007017
Penn State14728049

Penn State beat the Bulldogs 49–17, despite Tech's quarterback Luke McCown throwing for more than 400 yards but also threw three interceptions and had a fumble lost. Larry Johnson ran for 147 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns and also had a touchdown reception. Michael Robinson also had three rushing touchdowns. [23]

Iowa

1234OTTotal
Iowa17990742
Penn State07622035

After trailing the Hawkeyes by 22 points in the fourth quarter, Zack Mills threw for three touchdowns in the final 7:13 to tie the game 35–35 and force overtime, but the Nittany Lions were unable to score in overtime and lost 42–35. For the game, Mills completed 23 of 44 passes for a school record 399 yards and four touchdowns. The team finished with only 54 yards rushing, and Michael Robinson, who had five touchdowns in twelve carries in the past two games, was held to minus-2 yards on four carries. [24]

But the play that was most shown repeatedly on sports highlights shows throughout the rest of the season happened after the game. Following a couple questionable calls by the line judge in overtime, Joe Paterno sprinted down the field to catch up with referee Dick Honig as he approached the tunnel and grabbed Honig by the back of the shirt to voice his displeasure with the way the game ended. Paterno was angered that Penn State wide receiver Tony Johnson caught a pass with both feet in bounds according to the stadium's video replay board, but the play was ruled an incompletion. [25]

Wisconsin

1234Total
Penn State10117634
Wisconsin01461131

Penn State scored on four of its first five possessions as the Lions beat the Badgers 34–31. Penn State scored on touchdowns from Zack Mills, Larry Johnson, and Sean McHugh and got four Robbie Gould field goals. Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy and defensive end Michael Haynes each had three sacks, as the Lions sacked Wisconsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger seven times. Wisconsin scored to close it to three points with 1:17 remaining, but Bryan Scott covered up the onside kick to seal the game. [26]

Michigan

1234OTTotal
Penn State7068324
Michigan07014627

The Wolverines beat Penn State 27–24 in overtime. A slow first half gave way to a shootout in the second half. The game was tied 7–7 at halftime, and the teams combined for only 240 yards. Penn State led 13–7 late in the third quarter and looked to seize control of the game after forcing a Michigan punt at their own 20, but a roughing the punter penalty kept the drive alive, and Michigan found the end zone eight plays later. Zack Mills finished the day 19 of 31 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. [27]

Joe Paterno expressed his displeasure with the officials for the second time this season as he yelled at referee David Witvoet after regulation. There were a number of odd and questionable actions by the officials during the game, as pointed out by the TV commentators, including the roughing the punter penalty and the referee refusing to ask for measurements when it appeared Michigan had been stopped short of first down. Each time he glanced at the sideline and signaled first down. It was most noticeable in the third quarter when he signaled first down even as Michigan was lining up in short-yardage formation, thinking it was third-and-1.

But Paterno and the coaching staff were most livid about a blown call with 40 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 21–21. Receiver Tony Johnson had just made a leaping catch of a Mills pass at the Michigan 22. The side judge ruled Johnson out of bounds despite replays showing he had both feet at least a yard inbounds. Numerous replays on TV showed the large divot in the field where Johnson's feet had landed. Instead of a field goal opportunity to win the game in regulation, the game was forced into overtime.

Northwestern

1234Total
Northwestern00000
Penn State7287749

Larry Johnson set Penn State's single-game rushing record as the Nittany Lions shut out the Wildcats 49–0. Johnson rushed for 257 yards on 23 carries and scored twice before sitting out the final 28 minutes. In all, twelve Penn State players carried the ball for a total of 423 yards. The defense recorded its first shutout since the 1999 Alamo Bowl, holding the Wildcats to 9 yards rushing and 202 total yards. [28]

Ohio State

1234Total
Penn State70007
Ohio State0310013

The Buckeyes defense held Zack Mills to only 98 yards passing and intercepted three passes, including one by Chris Gamble returned for a touchdown, to beat the Nittany Lions 13–7. Penn State was held to only 179 yards of offense and eight first downs, fewest under Joe Paterno. [29] Despite this, Penn State led 7–3 at halftime and very nearly won the game at the end.

Illinois

1234Total
Illinois00077
Penn State990018

Larry Johnson set the school record for rushing yards in a game, beating his own record from two weeks prior, as the Nittany Lions beat the Fighting Illini 18–7. Johnson rushed for 279 yards on 31 carries, including an 84-yard touchdown run. The Penn State defense went 11-plus quarters without allowing a touchdown before Illinois scored with 5:22 remaining. [30]

Virginia

1234Total
Virginia700714
Penn State73101535

The defense held the Cavaliers to only 30 yards rushing as Penn State won 35–14. Zack Mills was 19 of 30 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions had 289 yards on the ground, including 118 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown by Larry Johnson. Backup quarterback and holder Chris Ganter also scored on a 30-yard run off of a fake field goal. [31]

Indiana

1234Total
Penn State1414102058
Indiana1260725

Larry Johnson broke two school records as Penn State beat the Hoosiers 58–25. For the third time in five weeks, Johnson set the school's single-game rushing record with 327 yards on 28 carries. Johnson also broke Penn State's single-season rushing record with a total of 1,736 yards with two games left to play. [32]

Michigan State

1234Total
Michigan State00707
Penn State14347661

Larry Johnson became the ninth player in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season [33] as Penn State blew out the Spartans 61–7. Johnson finished the day with 279 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half. Bryant Johnson also scored on an 81-yard punt return and a 41-yard touchdown reception. Penn State had 400 yards of offense at halftime and finished with 536 total yards, including 422 yards rushing. [34]

2003 Capital One Bowl – Auburn

1234Total
Auburn007613
Penn State33039

The Auburn Tigers rushed for 200 yards, controlled the clock, and outscored the Lions 13–3 in the second half to upset the Nittany Lions 13–9 in the Capital One Bowl. Larry Johnson finished with only 72 yards on 20 carries. Zack Mills was also ineffective, going 8 of 24 for 67 yards and an interception. He was pulled for a couple drives in the third quarter, and backup quarterback Michael Robinson led to the Lions for a field goal to go up 9–7. [35]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
AP24241512201520182019161511101016
Coaches242325251512211721172119161612101015
BCSNot released1515141312Not released

Awards

Watchlists

Players

Post season

Penn State finished the season ranked #16 in the final AP college football poll and #15 in the final Coaches college football poll, earning Penn State its 25th Top 15 finish under Joe Paterno. [72]

Tailback Larry Johnson would finish the season as the first Nittany Lion to lead the nation in rushing and all-purpose yardage. Johnson become the ninth player in Division I-A history to gain 2,000 yards rushing in the regular season, finishing third in Heisman Trophy balloting. [73]

Penn State claimed second place in football attendance for the second consecutive season, averaging 107,239 through eight home games, ranking in the top four for the 12th consecutive year. The Nittany Lions also broke the NCAA record for total season attendance with 1,247,707 during the 13-game schedule, including a Beaver Stadium record of 110,753 for the Nebraska game. [74]

NFL draft

A school record six seniors would be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2003 NFL draft, including another school record four players in the first round. [75]

RoundPickOverallNamePositionTeam
1st1212 Jimmy Kennedy Defensive tackle St. Louis Rams
1st1414 Michael Haynes Defensive end Chicago Bears
1st1717 Bryant Johnson Wide receiver Arizona Cardinals
1st2727 Larry Johnson Running back Kansas City Chiefs
2nd2355 Bryan Scott Free safety Atlanta Falcons
2nd2557 Anthony Adams Defensive tackle San Francisco 49ers

All-star games

GameDateSitePlayers
57th Hula Bowl February 1, 2003 War Memorial Stadium, Wailuku, Hawaii Gus Felder, Joe Iorio, Shawn Mayer
54th Senior Bowl January 18, 2003 Ladd–Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama Anthony Adams, Michael Haynes, Bryant Johnson, Larry Johnson, Bryan Scott

Instant replay

A few other conference coaches had lobbied for instant replay before, but they had fallen on deaf ears until Joe Paterno, who had been against instant replay citing the length of games as a factor, changed his opinion after a number of questionable officiating calls in the Iowa and Michigan games. Paterno and Penn State athletic director Tim Curley called for a comprehensive review of Big Ten officiating. At the news conference after the Michigan game, Paterno went further and said that the conference should change the way that officials are assigned, referring to the assignment of the officiating crew that worked the Michigan game, three of whom live in the state of Michigan. [76]

After the Big Ten concluded its comprehensive review of its officiating, the conference implemented a pilot program during the 2003 season to evaluate the use of instant replay. The pilot was used to gather data and did not interfere with games or overturn any missed calls. [77]

For the 2004 season, the Big Ten introduced college football's first instant replay system. A technical advisor in the press box with access to the television feeds will be able to stop a game for a replay review and potentially overturn a play, with no limit on the number of plays that can be reviewed. [78]

Notes

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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.

The 2003 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2003 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.

Charles Vernon Pittman is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a halfback for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning All-American honors in 1969. He and played in the NFL for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Lee</span> American football player (born 1986)

Sean Patrick Lee is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He made two Pro Bowls and the 2016 All-Pro Team.

The 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 29, 2007 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and nationally televised by ESPN. The game was one of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl games that concluded the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 15th Alamo Bowl and the first Alamo Bowl sponsored by the Valero Energy Corporation.

The 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. This was Zook's fourth season as the Illini head coach.

Daryll Lawrence Clark is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback. He was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a free agent in 2010. He played collegiately for the Penn State Nittany Lions. From 2005 until 2009, Clark was the Nittany Lions' all-time passing touchdowns leader, as well as numerous other passing records. Clark was recruited to Penn State out of Ursuline High School in Youngstown by way of The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Clark has also been a member of the Omaha Nighthawks, Chicago Rush and Myrtle Beach Freedom.

The 2009 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State had the highest graduation rate among all of the teams on the Associated Press Top 25 poll with 89% of its 2002 enrollees graduating. Miami and Alabama tied for second place with a graduation rate of 75%. The Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11–2 record and won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy award to the best team in the ECAC for the 28th time and the second consecutive year.

The 2010 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Big Ten Conference. Team captains for the season were wide receiver Brett Brackett and defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu.

The 2011 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno for the first nine games until he was fired in the wake of the Penn State sex abuse scandal, with defensive coordinator Tom Bradley taking over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The team played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, US. They were members of the Big Ten Conference in the newly formed Leaders Division. They finished the season 9–4, 6–2 in the Leaders Division to be co–division champions with Wisconsin. Due to their head-to-head loss to Wisconsin, they did not represent the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game. They were invited to the TicketCity Bowl where they lost to Houston 14–30.

The 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill O'Brien in his first season and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, US. It was a member of the Big Ten Conference and played in the Leaders Division. Penn State was ineligible to play in a bowl game for the 2012 season due to sanctions imposed in wake of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.

The 2013 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill O'Brien and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were a member of the Big Ten Conference and its Leaders Division. Penn State was ineligible to play in a bowl game for the 2013 season, the second season of a four-year ban, due to NCAA sanctions imposed in the wake of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.

References

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