Volume 79, Issue 3 Sept. 17, 2016 The Letter 1 2 3 4 Score PSU 14 7 3 10 34 Penn State’s 2016 team is nothing if not exciting. They Temple 7 3 7 10 27 give fans their money’s worth and keep their fannies in the seats to a suspenseful end.

The Letter In the span of eight days, the Nittany Lions mounted a Notes From The Cuff thrilling comeback against their longest rival, before losing by three points, then jumped to an early two­ Other Sports touchdown lead against their fifth most­often played News Of Note opponent, before thwarting its valiant comeback effort Game Photos by seven points. And both games were closed off with Statistics an interception by the winning team in the last 75 seconds.

Against its two in­state foes Penn State’s offense scored 73 points, while its defense surrendered 69, as the Lions fell short at Pitt, 42­39, but avenged last year’s loss to Temple by a 34­27 margin.

On a cloudy but balmy afternoon in Happy Valley Saturday, the Nittany Lion faithful enjoyed their second glorious day of tailgating outside Beaver Stadium this season. But they couldn’t leave their seats to resume those activities, until sophomore cornerback John Reid intercepted a Temple pass and ran it back 14 yards before wisely pulling a Pete Giftopoulos.

Update Your Info Even though it happened before he was born, Reid probably had heard about the former Lion linebacker, who knew it was wiser to purposely fall down after his interception of Vinny Testaverde and let the clock Join/Renew run out in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl than to risk being hit and possibly fumbling away a certain victory.

The crowd’s enthusiasm over the Lions early success Saturday was increased with the display of videos FAN ZONE marking the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno’s first game as a head coach (a 15­7 win over Maryland) and Radio/TV Listings his numerous achievements for Penn State, especially his Grand Experiment in building success on the field and in the classroom. High graduation rates and preparation of his players for life after football were Football Schedule among his hallmarks. Team Roster GoPSUSports.com Athletic Director Sandy Barbour noted in a statement before game day that “together with his wife, Sue, Big Ten Football TV they helped countless students become leaders and earn a Penn State degree.” She said the Schedule commemoration in the stadium had “a focus on the players and their accomplishments at Penn State and beyond” which was consistent with the wishes of the Paterno family. Big Ten Standings Big Ten Schedule and Hundreds of lettermen gathered with the Paterno family for a special event Friday evening in Penn State’s Results baseball stadium and returning members of Joe’s first team in 1966 were recognized in Beaver Stadium at Penn Staters in the Pros halftime. Co­captains of that team, Mike Irwin and John Runnells, were honorary captains along with the Lions’ current leaders for the coin toss at midfield. For advertising info, contact: After Penn State jumped out to a 21­7 lead midway through the second quarter Saturday, a tough Temple Angelo Scialfa team outfought the Lions for the next 37 minutes only to have its efforts fall seven points short. 609­259­1910 [email protected] Again, offensive mistakes seriously hurt Penn State, as the Owls scored 14 points off Lion turnovers and had the home team hanging on at the end.

The Lions withstood a center snap over the head of quarterback Trace McSorley on a first quarter touchdown drive and a fumble on the TU­7 in the second. But an interception of McSorley gave the visitors the ball on the PS­9 for an easy TD drive in the third. And a botched punt return gave the Owls possession on the PS­1 in the fourth. It took three cracks at the line, but Temple finally scored its second gift TD and cut the Lions’ lead to just three points with 8:10 left in the game.

Injuries also hampered Penn State, which was without the services of starters Jason Cabinda at middle linebacker, Brandon Bell at outside linebacker, Evan Schwann at defensive end, Grant Haley at cornerback and wide receiver Saeed Blacknall.

In the second quarter the other starting linebacker, Nyeem Wartman­White suffered a leg injury while blocking on a punt safe return. From then on the Lions’ linebackers were two sophomores with limited experience (Manny Bowen and Jake Cooper) and a former walk­on who had been on the field for a total of only three defensive snaps in his four years on the team.

But Brandon Smith, a married pre­med student who could have gone to Penn or Princeton but always wanted to play football at Penn State, said he left the decision up to God, who gave him a signal to follow his dream.

An All­State running back and linebacker at Lewisburg High School, he walked­on as a fullback for Bill O’Brien’s Lions in 2013, but later begged James Franklin and his assistants to switch him to linebacker.

Smith told the media after the game, “You never want it to happen like that (injury to another player), but you have to be ready when your number is called and I was excited for my opportunity. . .I just thank God and all the people who have been pushing me to keep faith and wait for my opportunity.”

Coaches and fellow players hailed “Smitty” as something of a hero, when he finished the game as the second leading tackler in just two and a half quarters of play. Coach Franklin suggested he celebrate with his teammates, but the unassuming mild­mannered Smith said, “I’m just going to spend time with my family and Previous Issues relax a little tonight.”

On the offensive side, star tailback Saquon Barkley hobbled off the field after the first play of the game (when he rushed through the line for eight yards) and went to head trainer Tim Bream. His absence allowed his backups to show what they could do, and sophomore Mark Allen, redshirt freshman Andre Robinson and true freshman Miles Sanders, combined to gain 69 yards on 15 carries.

With tape around his left leg and after working out on a stationary bicycle and running short bursts along the sideline Barkley returned just before halftime. In the fourth quarter he ripped off a 55­yard touchdown run – the longest of his career – which accounted for State’s final and winning points.

With 61 points scored by the two teams and lots of big plays, the 100,420 fans in Beaver Stadium plus the millions watching on the Big Ten Television Network witnessed plenty of exciting gridiron action.

Penn State scored first on a 52­yard TD pass from McSorley to leading Lion receiver Chris Godwin on a perfectly executed post pattern on the home team’s second possession. It was Godwin’s first score of the season.

But the Owls flew right back, when just one play later quarterback Phillip Walker hooked up with Romond DeLoatch on a quick slant pass that turned into a 67­ yard catch and run right down the middle. Safety Marcus Allen caught him on the PS­8, but Temple’s outstanding tailback, Jahad Thomas, immediately rushed around right end for the TD to tie it up.

After the quick two­play touchdown drive by each team, Penn State mounted a slow methodical march of 69 yards in 13 plays, taking nearly six minutes. It was climaxed by redshirt freshman Andre Robinson, when he blasted three yards through the middle for his first Penn State touchdown.

True redshirt freshman tailback Miles Sanders ran for 27 yards on his first three carries in a Blue and White uniform, before fumbling just seven yards short of the end zone to kill the third Lion scoring opportunity.

But State got the ball back two minutes later. Another hookup between McSorley and Godwin covered 23 yards and Trace tossed a nifty 14­yarder to Brandon Polk to put the ball on the TU­2. From there Penn State’s QB scrambled around right end and reached the ball inside the pylon to give the home team a 14­ point lead. It was McSorley’s first running touchdown.

But the Owls refused to leave their nest.

Just 38 seconds before the end of the first half Temple had the ball on their own 20­yard line, after a punt by freshman Blake Gillikin sailed into the end zone. As Penn State laid back in a prevent defense, Thomas ran for 15 yards, Walker passed to Marshall Ellick for 19 yards and to Brodrick Yancy for five. Penn State was called for a defensive holding penalty on Walker’s next pass attempt. After another short pass to Yancy, Austin Jones booted a 45­yard field goal to cut the home team lead to 21­10 at halftime.

Penn State got those three points back shortly after halftime. Tight end Mike Gesicki leaped at the Temple 9­yard line to pull down a 52­yard pass from McSorley with his right hand. But a 12­yard loss on an attempted reverse by DaeSean Hamilton and a holding penalty on Andrew Nelson pushed the Lions back to where they had to call on Tyler Davis to kick a 40­yard field goal.

After Delvon Randall’s interception of McSorley set up Temple’s touchdown to cut State’s lead to 24­17, Randall returned the favor by interfering on McSorley’s next pass attempt aimed at Hamilton.

This launched the Lions’ drive to Davis’ second field goal – a 30­yarder – that stretched his perfect record to 15 and restored State’s lead to 10 points.

But then a funny thing happened on the way to the victors’ podium.

Penn State forced a punt on Temple’s next possession, but the rugby style kick was too short to be fielded by State’s John Reid. As it bounced downfield, it touched State’s Amani Oruwariye, thus becoming a fumble which was recovered by the ever­present Randall on the PS­1.

After Thomas’ second TD of the day things suddenly became dicey with Penn State’s lead cut to three points in the middle of the final frame.

Enter savior Saquon Barkley.

Thanks to another Temple pass interference penalty and a 5­yard toss by McSorley to Hamilton, the Lions had the ball at the PS­45. State’s super sophomore tailback shot straight ahead, juked left to avoid one tackler, juked right to get away from another, then turned on the after­burners to split the safeties and outrun them for a 55­yard touchdown that proved to be the game­ winner.

The defense halted Temple’s final march at the PS­17 and forced the Owls to settle for Jones’ second field goal.

When Reid’s interception in the final half­minute settled the matter, the Lion fans could finally return to their tailgates for supper, while the traffic thinned and they planned their route to Rec Hall for the women’s volleyball match against Clemson.

With a 2­1 record Penn State is off to Michigan for its Big Ten opener in the Big House in Ann Arbor next Saturday, where the kickoff has been announced as 3:30 p.m. for ABC television.

For the Glory,

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© Penn State Alumni Association • Hintz Family Alumni Center • University Park, PA 16802 Contact the Webmaster • 800­548­LION (5466) Volume 79, Issue 3 Sept. 17, 2016 Notes from the Cuff 1 2 3 4 Score PSU 14 7 3 10 34 The largest crowd in Beaver Stadium since last year’s White Out against Michigan Temple 7 3 7 10 27 executed a noon time Stripe Out as beautiful as last year’s night time Stripe Out against Rutgers …

The Letter Temple head coach and Penn State alumnus Matt Rhule joined other former State Notes From The Cuff College High School players Friday night for a function where former State High and Penn State star running back Matt Suhey presented a Golden Football that the Other Sports NFL allows members of Super Bowl winners to give to their high schools. Suhey News Of Note won a Super Bowl ring with the 1985 champion Chicago Bears. State High and Penn Game Photos State alumnus Jordan Norwood also won one with the Denver Broncos last year but will have to wait to Statistics present a Golden Football to his alma mater because he is still playing with Denver …

Crowds of fans gathered at the former site of the Joe Paterno statue east of Beaver Stadium leaving signs and memorials before and after Saturday’s game …

Many of the hundreds of lettermen who attended the private event with the Paterno family at Penn State’s baseball stadium Friday night spoke of their memories of Joe Paterno’s inspiration and influence in their lives. Jimmy Cefalo (1974–77) said, “Outside of our fathers, Joe was the most influential person in our lives. He still guides us today in a lot of the things he taught us.” Lance Hamilton (1983–85) said being back was “a representation of what Joe meant to all of us—as athletes, as people and now as professionals. He shaped us during very crucial years of our lives.” … Update Your Info Sophomore wide receiver Brandon Polk became the newest Nittany Lion to return a kickoff for Penn State, Join/Renew as he galloped 35 yards down the right sideline with the opening kick . . .

The 106 points scored by Penn State in its first three games are the most since 2008, when the Lions FAN ZONE tallied 66 against Coastal Carolina, 45 against Oregon State and 55 at Syracuse … Radio/TV Listings Trace McSorley posted his third 200­yard passing game, winding up with 18 completions in 24 attempts for Football Schedule 287 yards and one touchdown with one interception. His 52­yarders to Chris Godwin and Mike Gesicki Team Roster were career­longs … GoPSUSports.com Big Ten Football TV Godwin’s 117 yards on 7 catches was his high this year. He caught six for 111 yards in the first half alone. Schedule He now has caught at least four passes in 15 of his last 17 games. Godwin has now moved into 10th on State’s career receptions list with 112, passing Joe Jurevicius, Tony Johnson, Terry Smith, Kenny Jackson Big Ten Standings and Bryant Johnson so far this year. He now has seven 100­yard receiving games, and his 1,642 receiving Big Ten Schedule and yards is 14th on the all­time list … Results Penn Staters in the Pros DaeSean Hamilton is 15th in receiving yards with 1,620 …

For advertising info, Saquon Barkley passed Akeel Lynch and Gary Brown into 31st place on the career rushing list. His six contact: rushing TDs in the first three games are the most since Evan Royster in 2008 … Angelo Scialfa 609­259­1910 Penn State’s rushing defense, which allowed 491 yards by Kent State and Pitt combined held Temple to a [email protected] net of 38 rushing yards. However, the Owls gained 286 through the air …

Coach Franklin said he was really, really proud of Brandon Smith, who had eight total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass break­up in his first significant action at linebacker …

Sophomore defensive end Torrence Brown became the ninth new starter in 2016. Safety Malik Golden had a career­high nine tackles. Defensive tackle Parker Cothren had a career­high seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss …

Junior safety Marcus Allen said, “This is not an uptight team. We are having fun out there with each other…We want to play in big games in front of 100,000 people. And it was a Stripe Out. Come on. You can’t get any better than that.” …

Cornerback John Reid said he had to make that interception at the end of the game because he had promised guest coach Josiah Viera he would get one for him. Viera is the 12­year­old mascot of the State College Spikes who is afflicted with progeria, a rare genetic disorder that greatly accelerates the aging process, giving him the body of a 90­year­old. Volume 79, Issue 3 Sept. 17, 2016 News of Note 1 2 3 4 Score PSU 14 7 3 10 34 Register for carnival­themed fun at Alumni Zone Temple 7 3 7 10 27 Registration is open for the premier post­game Homecoming tailgate, Alumni Zone. Click here to register

and for more information.

The Letter A revamped carnival­themed design features midway and tailgate games, food such as hot sausage Notes From The Cuff sandwiches, hot dogs, and a nacho bar along with Penn State favorites, grilled stickies and Berkey Other Sports Creamery ice cream—and the same post­game fun. News Of Note Alumni Zone takes place Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Indoor Multi­Sport Facility, near the Bryce Jordan Center Game Photos and beside the Penn State Lacrosse Field. The tailgate will follow the Penn State­Maryland football game, Statistics which kicks at noon. Approximate time for Alumni Zone is 3:30–6:00 p.m.

Homecoming Weekend event details available The Alumni Association has you covered for Homecoming. From ice cream and tailgating, to the Homecoming Parade and Guard the Lion Shrine, there are plenty of ways to come together with fellow Penn Staters during Homecoming Weekend (Oct. 7–8).

Visit our website for complete details on the following events:

Oct. 7 Update Your Info Student­Alumni Ice Cream Social Homecoming Parade Join/Renew Guard the Lion Shrine

Oct. 8 FAN ZONE Huddle with the Faculty Radio/TV Listings Alumni Zone Football Schedule Team Roster Also, click here to register your organization for the annual tailgating competition. For more information on the spirited contest, read our story. Please note that registration for the Homecoming Parade has GoPSUSports.com ended. Big Ten Football TV Schedule Big Ten Standings Huddle with the Faculty on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 Alumni and friends can grab light refreshments at the popular free lecture series hosted by the Penn State Big Ten Schedule and Alumni Association each home football Saturday at The Nittany Lion Inn. Results Penn Staters in the Pros The next two presentations in the annual series:

For advertising info, Oct. 1 (Minnesota) contact: The American Skyscraper, from the Emerald City of Oz to Glass Towers of the 1950s, featuring Craig Angelo Scialfa Zabel, head of the Department of History at Penn State and 2016 Teaching Fellow Award honoree. 609­259­1910 [email protected] Oct. 8 (Maryland—Homecoming) “Serious Play: Every Day is a Game Day!” featuring Deborah Eicher­Catt, professor and program coordinator for the Communication Arts & Sciences Program and the women and gender studies major at Penn State York.

All Huddle with the Faculty programs start promptly at 9 a.m.

Huddle with the Faculty is presented by the Penn State Alumni Association and sponsored by The Village at Penn State with support from The Nittany Lion Inn and Penn State Press.

Join the #PSUPepRally at Michigan The Alumni Association will host an alumni mixer and gameday pep rally on Friday and Saturday, respectively, when Penn State visits Michigan. The Michigan Chapter is co­hosting the alumni mixer, and details for both events are on our website. Use and share #PSUPepRally for everything trending about the 2016 Penn State Pep Rallies.

Submit mail memories to The Penn Stater magazine Do you recall special letters or packages sent to you as a student? If you looked forward to campus mail— and remember it long after you left Penn State—The Penn Stater magazine wants to hear about it. What were in those envelopes and boxes that were addressed for you—and why did you cherish them? Stories (300 words or fewer) can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Alumni Center. Full details online.

Follow the Alumni Association on Social Media Stay updated on Alumni Association news and events by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Also follow The Football Letter and The Penn Stater magazine on Twitter for more information on what’s happening at Penn State.

Join Penn State on LinkedIn Looking for more ways to network with Penn State alums? Join the Penn State Alumni Association LinkedIn Group. If you already have a LinkedIn profile, the link will take you to our main page, where you can ask to join the group. You can also look for our group on the Penn State University Page. Our group is listed in the options on the right­hand side. If you’re new to LinkedIn, the Alumni Association offers webinars to help you learn all about the platform and what it can do for you. Regularly visit our website to know when upcoming webinars will be scheduled. Already a member of our LinkedIn group? Make sure you’re getting Previous Issues notifications about the group by checking your group settings to ensure that you have checked the daily digest and announcement options.

Hintz Family Alumni Center Open House Hours A reminder to all University Park visitors that the Hintz Family Alumni Center’s open hours change during football season. During away football weekends, the Alumni Center is open only on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. For questions, call the Alumni Association at 814­865­6516.

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