2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Last updated

2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State Athletics wordmark.svg
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionLeaders Division
Record8–4 (6–2 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive scheme Spread option
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
CaptainGame Captains
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
Seasons
  2011
2013  
2012 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Legends Division
No. 25 Nebraska xy  7 1   10 4  
No. 24 Michigan  6 2   8 5  
No. 17 Northwestern  5 3   10 3  
Michigan State  3 5   7 6  
Iowa  2 6   4 8  
Minnesota  2 6   6 7  
Leaders Division
No. 3 Ohio State* x  8 0   12 0  
Penn State*  6 2   8 4  
Wisconsin y$  4 4   8 6  
Purdue  3 5   6 7  
Indiana  2 6   4 8  
Illinois  0 8   2 10  
Championship: Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 31
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for conference championship game and post-season bowl games due to NCAA sanctions.
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Contents

O'Brien was hired as Penn State's 15th head football coach, replacing Hall of Fame coach, Joe Paterno. [1] He was introduced as the head coach at a press conference on January 7, 2012. [2] The team added player names to the back of their jerseys to recognize the players who stayed with the program despite adversity, and also wore a blue ribbon to support child abuse victims. [3]

After losing their first two games, the Nittany Lions finished their season winning eight of their final 10 to finish with a record of eight wins and four losses (8–4).

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 112:00 p.m. Ohio * ESPN L 14–2497,186
September 812:00 p.m.at Virginia * ABC L 16–1756,087
September 153:30 p.m. Navy *
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC/ESPN2 W 34–798,792
September 223:30 p.m. Temple *
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABC/ESPN2W 24–1393,680
September 2912:00 p.m.at Illinois ESPNW 35–746,734
October 612:00 p.m.No. 24 Northwestern Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPNW 39–2895,769 [4]
October 208:00 p.m.at Iowa BTN W 38–1470,585
October 275:30 p.m.No. 9 Ohio State
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ESPNL 23–35107,818
November 33:30 p.m.at Purdue ESPNU W 34–940,098
November 103:30 p.m.at No. 18 Nebraska ABCL 23–3285,527
November 1712:00 p.m. Indiana
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
BTNW 45–2290,358
November 243:30 p.m. Wisconsin
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ESPN2W 24–21 OT93,505
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Coaching staff

Roster

Wide receiver Shawney Kersey left the team on September 12, 2012 for "personal reasons". [13] On September 28, 2012, quarterback and tight end Paul Jones left the Penn State football team. [14]

2012 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
TB 1 Bill Belton So
QB 2Shane McGregorSr
WR 6Shane Phillips Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 7 Eugene Lewis Fr
WR 8 Allen Robinson So
RB 9Michael Zordich Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 11 Matt McGloin Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 12Steven BenchFr
WR 13Tyler Lucas Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 14Garrett Venuto Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 15Alex Kenney Redshirt.svg  So
WR 17Matthew Mege Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 18 Jesse James Fr
WR 20 Malik Golden Fr
WR 21 Trevor Williams Fr
TB 22 Akeel Lynch Fr
TB 24Derek DaySr
TB 26Curtis Dukes Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 28 Zach Zwinak Redshirt.svg  So
FB 30Andre Dupree Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 32Jack HaffnerFr
RB 33Colin BryanFr
FB 34Dominic SalamoneFr
FB 35Pat Zerbe Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 36Deron Thompson Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 37Evan Lewis Redshirt.svg  Sr
FB 41J.R. Refice Redshirt.svg  Jr
FB 45P.J. ByersSr
G 50Anthony StankoFr
C 54Matt StankiewtichSr
C 55Wendy LaurentFr
G, OT 56Anthony Alosi Redshirt.svg  Fr
OT 58Adam Gress Redshirt.svg  Jr
C 60 Ty Howle Redshirt.svg  Sr
C 62Frank Figueroa Redshirt.svg  Jr
G 64 John Urschel Redshirt.svg  Jr
C 65Miles Dieffenbach Redshirt.svg  So
G 66Angelo Mangiro Redshirt.svg  Fr
G 68Bryan Davie Redshirt.svg  So
OT 70Nate Cadogan Redshirt.svg  Jr
G 73Mark Arcidiacono Redshirt.svg  Jr
G 75Eric Shrive Redshirt.svg  Jr
OT 76 Donovan Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
G 77Patrick Christie Redshirt.svg  So
OT 78Mike FarrellSr
OT 79Kevin Blanchard Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 80Matt Zanellato Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 82Brian IrvinSr
TE 83Brent WilkersonFr
TE 84Matt Lehman Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 85Brandon Moseby-Felder Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 86Bryce Wilson Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 87 Kyle Carter Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 88Jonathan WarnerFr
TE 89 Gary Gilliam Redshirt.svg  Jr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 2Jake KileyFr
CB 3Da'Quan DavisFr
CB 4 Adrian Amos So
LB 5Nyeem WartmanFr
LB 6 Gerald Hodges Sr
S 7Stephen Obeng-Agyapong Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 8Gary WootenFr
S 10Malcolm Willis Redshirt.svg  Jr
CB 12Stephon MorrisSr
S 14 Jordan Lucas Fr
CB 14Mike Wallace Redshirt.svg  Jr
CB 15Patrick Flanagan Redshirt.svg  So
CB 16Devin Pryor Redshirt.svg  So
DE 18 Deion Barnes Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 21Bryant HarperFr
LB 22T.J. Rhattigan Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 23Ryan Keiser Redshirt.svg  So
S 27Jacob FagnanoSr
S 29Jeff Cully Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 30Charles IdemudiaFr
DE 31 Brad Bars Redshirt.svg  So
LB 33Michael Yancich Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 38Ben Kline Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 39Jesse Della Valle Redshirt.svg  So
LB 40 Glenn Carson Jr
LB 42 Michael Mauti Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 43 Mike Hull Redshirt.svg  So
LB 46Adam ColeFr
DL 47 Jordan Hill Sr
DE 48Jordan Kerner Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 49Brennan FranklinFr
LB 51Drew Boyce Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 52Brent SmithFr
DT 53Derek DowreyFr
LB 54James Van FleetSr
DE 59Pete Massaro Redshirt.svg  Sr
DT 72Brian GaiaFr
DT 84Kyle Baublitz Redshirt.svg  So
DE 86C.J. Olaniyan Redshirt.svg  So
DT 88Tyrone Smith Redshirt.svg  So
DE 90Sean StanleySr
DT 91 DaQuan Jones Jr
DE 92Albert HallFr
DT 93James Terry Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 94Evan SchwanFr
DE 95 Carl Nassib Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 96Cody CastorSr
DE 98 Anthony Zettel Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 99 Austin Johnson Fr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P 29Reynolds ParthemoreFr
P 32Joe BakerSr
LS 44Michael FuhrmanSr
P 45Alex ButterworthJr
K 48Kevin DiSanto Redshirt.svg  So
LS 57Emery Etter Redshirt.svg  Jr
LS 63Joe MarvinFr
PK 97 Sam Ficken So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

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

Roster
Last update: October 20, 2012

Game summaries

September 1 vs. Ohio

Penn State vs. Ohio -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Ohio0314724
Penn State770014

at Beaver Stadium

Game information

The Ohio University Bobcats spoiled head coach Bill O'Brien's PSU debut defeating the Nittany Lions 24–14. Penn State led 14–3 at the half due to passing touchdowns by QB Matt McGloin to Bill Belton (6 yard) and Matt Lehman (14 yard). Ohio came out of the half-time intermission with 21 unanswered points from passing scores from QB Tyler Tettleton to Landon Smith (43 yard) and Donte Foster (5 yard) and a Tettleton run (1 yard). Penn State committed several costly turnovers including a muffed punt by linebacker Gerald Hodges which set up an Ohio TD and an interception thrown with a minute left by Matt McGloin which essentially put the nail in the coffin. Beau Blankenship led the way for the Bobcats rushing for 109 yards on 31 carries and catching 7 passes for 72 yards. Allen Robinson led the Lions catching 9 passes for 92 yards. Penn State tight end Kyle Carter also caught 6 passes for 72 yards. [15]

September 8 at Virginia

Penn State at Virginia -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Penn State700916
Virginia037717

at Scott Stadium

Game information

Penn State was without starting running back Bill Belton due to injury, so senior Derek Day got the start. Penn State's opening drive of the game lasted 17 plays and 75 yards and took up about 6 minutes resulting in an 8-yard TD pass from QB Matt McGloin to Kyle Carter. Their first-half offense was thwarted, however, when they could not convert on 2 FG attempts. Drew Jarrett's 46-yard FG put Virginia on the scoreboard with 3:56 remaining in the first half. True freshman Steven Bench took over QB duties for Penn State late in the first half when McGloin left the field after being hit in the elbow on 2 consecutive series.
Virginia's opening drive of the second half resulted in a 1-yard TD pass from QB Michael Rocco to Jeremiah Mathis. Penn State's FG woes continued in the third quarter when Sam Ficken missed a 20-yard FG which would have tied the game. In the fourth quarter, McGloin completed a long pass to Allen Robinson, who made the diving catch but was shaken up after the play. Ficken's PAT attempt was blocked. Penn State's final scoring drive began when Michael Mauti recovered a Virginia fumble deep in UVA territory. On the ensuing drive, Ficken attempted a 32-yard field goal and, for the first time on the day, made it. Rocco's 6-yard pass to Jake McGee and the ensuing PAT gave Virginia a 1-point lead with 1:28 remaining in the contest. Ficken missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired. [16]

September 15 vs. Navy

Penn State vs. Navy -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Navy00077
Penn State1467734

at Beaver Stadium

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 98,792
  • TV: ESPN2/ABC
Game information

In the game where new head coach Bill O'Brien celebrated his first victory at Penn State, [18] the Lions overpowered Navy 34–7. Senior quarterback Matt McGloin threw for 231 yards (13–21) and 4 touchdowns including three to sophomore wide receiver Allen Robinson who had 5 catches for 136 yards. For the second consecutive game, Penn State was without starting halfback Bill Belton. Fifth year senior Michael Zordich, who has spent his career at PSU playing fullback carried the ball 11 times for 50 yards. Teammate Curtis Dukes carried 11 times for 47 yards. Navy turned the ball over several times including a fumble which was recovered by Linebacker U Mike Hull and returned for a 74-yard touchdown. Gerald Hodges also recorded an interception. [19]

September 22 vs. Temple

Penn State vs. Temple -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Temple033713
Penn State777324

at Beaver Stadium

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 93,680
  • TV: ESPN2/ABC
Game information

Led by a strong effort by senior quarterback Matt McGloin who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, the Lions defeated Temple 24–13. With running back Bill Belton out for the third straight game, it was up to McGloin to lead the team around the goal line. He did, with a one-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a two yarder. He also threw a touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Allen Robinson, who recorded 5 catches for 82 yards and a score. Sophomore Zach Zwinak saw the first extensive action of his career at running back; he ran for 94 yards on 18 carries. Fullback Michael Zordich added 15 carries of his own for 75 yards. Kicker Sam Ficken, who had missed 4 field goals and an extra point the previous week, converted on all 3 extra points and a 21-yard field goal. Defensively, the Lions were led by another strong effort from senior linebacker Michael Mauti, who recorded 9 tackles, and defensive tackle Jordan Hill, who added 7 tackles and a sack. [20]

September 29 at Illinois

Penn State at Illinois -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Penn State1477735
Illinois00707

at Memorial Stadium

Game information

After getting a quick three and out on Penn State's first series, Illinois muffed the punt and set up Penn State with great field position. Kicker Sam Ficken attempted a field goal, which he made, but a running into the kicker penalty on Illinois, Penn State was set up inside the 5-yard line. Zach Zwinak ran the ball for a 1-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Matt McGloin ran for a score. Taylor Zalewski missed a short field goal late in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Sam Ficken missed a 47 yarder of his own. In the second quarter, Matt McGloin threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Matt Lehman, his tenth of the year. As Lehman was falling into the end zone, an Illinois defender hammered Lehman helmet to helmet and was ejected. At the end of the first half, quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw an interception to Michael Mauti who returned the ball 99 yards and was stopped at the one-yard line with one second left. Sam Ficken's 18 yard was blocked to end the half. On a trick play, receiver Josh Ferguson threw a 22-yard touchdown to Spencer Harris in the third quarter. Matt McGloin capped a long drive late in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run, his second of the game. Michael Mauti intercepted Nathan Scheelhaase for the second time of the day near the end of the third quarter. Zach Zwinak went over the century mark with his second touchdown run of the day early in the fourth quarter to put Penn State up 35–7.[ citation needed ]

October 6 vs. Northwestern

Penn State vs. #24 Northwestern -Game Summary
Period1234Total
#24 Northwestern01414028
Penn State3772239

at Beaver Stadium

Game information

In the Lions' first game against a ranked opponent, they defeated Northwestern 39–28 at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won the toss and elected to receive. Their first drive showed promise, but a false start penalty pushed them back and forcing them to punt. Alex Butterworth's punt was downed at the Northwestern 1. The Wildcats were forced into a quick three-and-out. The ensuing drive for the Lions included two fourth down conversions on their way to inside the five-yard line where, rather than risking a third fourth down on the drive, the Nittany Lions settled for a 21-yard field goal try by Sam Ficken. On Penn State's fifth drive of the game, which began at the Northwestern 40, they slowly drove down the field using the no-huddle offense, converting on fourth and short at one point for their third 4th down conversion of the game. The drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Zach Zwinak to give Penn State a 10–0 lead. Northwestern's ensuing drive managed to pick up a couple first downs, but ultimately stalled and they were forced to punt for a fifth time. Penn State, however, muffed this punt and Northwestern recovered at the Penn State 17. Three plays later, Northwestern scored its first touchdown of the game on a two-yard run by Venric Mark to make the score 10–7. After another exchange of punts, Penn State drove from its 21-yard line to the Northwestern 34 where the drive stalled and Penn State was forced to 4th and 4. Penn State elected to try to convert its fourth 4th down of the game, but they failed this time. Northwestern took advantage of this to drive down the field, aided by a controversial pass interference call, and scored another touchdown before the half on a Trevor Siemian pass. At the end of the first half, Penn State trailed 14–10.

Northwestern opened the second half on offense and after one first down was forced to punt. Penn State then moved the ball 80 yards in 12 plays and scored a touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Matt McGloin to Allen Robinson to take a 17–14 lead. Northwestern responded in kind with a touchdown scored on a 10-yard run by Kain Colter to put Penn State down again, this time by a score of 21–17. Penn State's next drive also stalled, and the ensuing Penn State punt resulted in a disaster when Northwestern's Venric Mark returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to widen the gap to 28–17. Penn State responded to this score with its own 18 play 82-yard drive that ended on a touchdown pass from McGloin to Robinson on 4th and 4 from the Northwestern 6. A successful two-point rush by Michael Zordich trimmed the deficit to 25–28 with just under 10 minutes to play. Penn State forced a Northwestern three-and-out, but a good Northwestern punt backed up Penn State to its own 15. Penn State drove, in 13 plays, down the field to the Northwestern 4, along the way converting on another 4th down to make it 5 for 6 on 4th downs. On 2nd and Goal, McGloin was stripped of the ball from behind, but managed to fall on it for a loss of one. One 3rd and Goal, McGloin escaped the pass rush and dove into the end zone to give the Lions a 32–28 lead with 2:37 to play. Northwestern had all three timeouts for what ultimately would be its last chance, but ran four plays and turned the ball over on downs. Penn State ran three consecutive handoffs to Michael Zordich, who took the second one all the way to the three and the third into the end zone to make the score 39–28, the final score. [ citation needed ]

October 20 at Iowa

Penn State at Iowa -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Penn State14107738
Iowa0001414

at Kinnick Stadium

Game information

October 27 vs. Ohio State

Penn State vs. Ohio State -Game Summary
Period1234Total
#9 Ohio State0721735
Penn State0731323

at Beaver Stadium

Game information

November 3 at Purdue

Penn State at Purdue -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Penn State101014034
Purdue30069

at Ross–Ade Stadium

Game information

November 10 at Nebraska

Penn State at Nebraska -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Penn State7133023
#18 Nebraska33141232

at Memorial Stadium

Game information

November 17 vs. Indiana

Penn State vs. Indiana -Game Summary
Period1234Total
Indiana0139022
Penn State72114345

at Beaver Stadium

Game information

Receiver Allen Robinson caught three touchdown passes in the first half. Senior linebackers Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges each left in the first half due to injury. Hodges subsequently returned and made an interception late in the second quarter where he tipped the ball to himself and made a diving catch. Mauti was expected to miss significant time with a left knee injury. Quarterback Matt McGloin set both a single-season record for most passing yards in school history and broke Zack Mills' record for most career touchdown passes.[ citation needed ]

November 24 vs. Wisconsin

Penn State vs. Wisconsin-Game Summary
Period1234OTTotal
Wisconsin14007021
Penn State7068324

at Beaver Stadium

Game information

Awards

Despite the Lions' ineligibility to play in bowl games, several players were named to the All-Conference Team or received other individual awards.

[28] [29] [30]

Post-season

Four players were invited to the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, held February 20 to 26 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana: Jordan Hill, Gerald Hodges, Michael Mauti, and Matt Stankiewitch. [31] [32]

All-star games

GameDateSitePlayers
2013 Casino del Sol College All-Star Game January 11, 2013 Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
Tucson, Arizona
Mike Farrell [33]
2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl January 19, 2013 The Home Depot Center
Carson, California
Michael Zordich [34]
Sean Stanley [33]
Pete Massaro [35]
2013 East–West Shrine Game January 19, 2013 Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, Florida
Gerald Hodges [36]
Matt Stankiewitch [36]
2013 Senior Bowl January 26, 2013 Ladd–Peebles Stadium,
Mobile, Alabama
Jordan Hill [34]
2013 Texas vs The Nation February 2, 2013 Allen, Texas Matt McGloin [34]

Related Research Articles

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