Illinois November 2, 2015

VOLUME 78 ISSUE 9 Penn State vs. Illinois November 2, 2015

The Letter Penn Staters, including many dressed in colorful costumes on a Follow us on beautiful sunny Halloween Day, Twitter and enjoyed their tailgates before and Check out the new after the Nittany Lion gridders Football Letter registered their first shutout in Blog Big Ten play since 2009, trouncing Illinois, 39–0, in their bestplayed PSU 12 3 10 14 39 game of the 2015 season. Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 The Blue Band had to play its touchdown version of Fight On CONTENTS State early and often, as the offense scored in every quarter, while the defense limited the visitors to their fewest yards and forced the most The Letter punts (12) this fall. It was the Lions’ most complementary performance Notes from the Cuff of the year, dominating the contest on both sides of scrimmage. Other Sports News of Note Quarterback Christian Hackenberg played his role to nearperfection, Game Photos completing 21 of 29 passes to seven different receivers for 266 yards Statistics and two touchdowns, in addition to posting the first receiving touchdown of his career. He got into his passing rhythm at the start, connecting on 11 of his first 12 throws for 101 yards and two TDs. He directed his team to a 15–0 lead at halftime, a 25–0 margin after three quarters and a 32–0 score, before retiring to the sidelines early in the fourth quarter. State’s reserves played out the game and scored the final points on their first drive, when redshirt freshman tailback Mark Allen ripped up the PAST ISSUES middle for a 20yard TD that set the final score with sixandahalf View past issues minutes remaining in the contest. Meanwhile, State’s aggressive defense totally squashed Illinois’ rushing FAN ZONE attack, allowing only 37 yards on 27 carries. At the same time, the Nittany Lion defenders gave up a seasonlow 130 yards on 17 pass Football Schedule completions in 43 attempts—the lowest output of the year for the Team Roster vaunted Illini passing attack that was averaging twice that in its seven GoPSUSports.com previous games. The visitors, who had given up the fewest sacks (8) in Radio/TV Listings the Big Ten this fall, found their passers dumped by Lions four times, Big Ten Football TV Schedule were stuffed on six threeandout possessions, converted only six of 20 Big Ten Standings third downs and never advanced beyond the PS40. Big Ten Schedule and Results Penn Staters in the Pros For advertising info, Wes Lunt, one of the Big Ten’s contact: Angelo Scialfa premier passers who had thrown 6092591910 for more than 1,700 yards and [email protected] nine touchdowns, was shut down with constant pressure that included three sacks for 33 yards in losses. He completed only 16 of 36 attempts for 129 yards and was intercepted once by freshman linebacker Troy Reeder, who returned the pick 44 yards to the IL6, setting up a Penn State touchdown on the next play. The success of the Lions delighted the masked and costumed crowd even more than the last time Penn State played in Beaver Stadium on Halloween—in 1998, when they also shut out Illinois, 27–0. Coach James Franklin said, “We played well in all three phases,” (meaning offense, defense and special teams). He said the Lions got off to a great start and “capitalized on some opportunities.” As it has most of the season, the defensive line “just wears people down as the game goes on.” Saturday the secondary stymied Illinois’ passing attack with tight coverage and crisp tackling, allowing no pass completion of more than 15 yards. Illinois’ interim head coach Bill Cubit, who took over when Tim Beckman was relieved of his duties earlier in the season, said, “They just dominated in every phase.” Hackenberg, who struggled early this season while the offensive line and some young skill players suffered growing pains, has not thrown an interception in the last six games. During that same time he has thrown for 12 TDs to move into second place on Penn State’s career list with 45 —just one behind Matt McGloin. His 19th career 200yard passing game Saturday moved him ahead of McGloin for first place on that career chart. He also holds the Penn State records for completions (629), attempts (1,111), yards (7,719) and 300yard passing games (9). In addition, he became the first quarterback to catch a touchdown pass since Zack Mills caught an 18yarder from Michael Robinson against Akron in 2004. Redshirt freshman tailback Nick Scott took a pitchout from Hack in the third quarter and ran right, before stopping and throwing back across the field to the 64, 228pound QBturnedWR, who galloped down the left sideline 14 yards, out racing the Illinois safety to the end zone. Sophomore Chris Godwin again was the leading receiver with seven catches for 76 yards and one touchdown. Soph DaeSean Hamilton nabbed four passes for 54 yards and freshman Saquon Barkley corralled three aerials for 58 yards. Junior Geno Lewis caught the other TD toss to give the Lions a 12–0 lead in the first quarter. Barkley, State’s leading rusher this fall, netted 84 yards on 20 carries to raise his total to 716 and move into third place among true freshmen on the Lions’ career chart. The speedy hurdler tallied his fifth TD early in the fourth quarter by leaping over two wouldbe tacklers to land in the end zone, completing a sevenyard run. The fun for Penn Staters never stopped on this Halloween Day—from the first minute of the game to the last. The home team scored on its second possession, moving 80 yards on eight plays, highlighted by Hackenberg’s passes 31 yards to DeAndre Thompkins, 19 yards to Barkley and five yards to Godwin in the end zone. On Illinois’ ensuing possession, Reeder nabbed his first career interception and acted like the high school running back that he once was, dashing down the left sideline to the visitors’ sixyard line. On the next play, Hack floated a high pass into the end zone, and Lewis outleaped his defender, to grab his second touchdown pass in as many weeks. Ironically, it was the first ever for Lewis in Beaver Stadium, since his previous five had come in MetLife, Camp Randall, Croke Park, Yankee and M&T Bank stadiums. In the first quarter, freshman Joey “Big Toe” Julius had two extra point attempts blocked and booted his third kickoff out of bounds, so he retired to the sidelines. Fellow freshman Tyler Davis got his chance on the field and promptly kicked a 42yard field goal in the second quarter, a 28yarder in the third and three extra points, while averaging 61.2 yards on five kickoffs (although one of those also went outofbounds on the oneyard line). While State’s offensive fireworks were being shot off the top of the videoboards, its defense surrendered only 81 yards in the first quarter, 57 in the second, minus six in the third and 35 in the fourth. After the Blue Band’s inspiring “For the Glory” show at halftime, the Illini could muster only 15 yards on the ground and 14 through the air. The visitors averaged 1.4 yards on 27 rushing attempts and 3.0 yards on 43 passing attempts. Only 18 Illini passes were completed—and one of those went to Nittany Lion Troy Reeder. Penn State scored on all seven of its incursions into the red zone (five TDs and two FGs). Illinois never reached the red zone. Illinois’ only kickoff, which started the second half, went 65 yards into State’s end zone. However, redshirt freshman Koa Farmer ran it back 53 yards, just 12 yards short of the spot from where Illini Jihad Ward had launched it. Farmer’s careerlong return was just oneyard shorter than Nick Scott’s 54yarder against Buffalo early in the season. Punter Dan Pasquariello averaged 41 yards on his five rugbystyle kicks, and none of them were returned by the Illini. Sophomore linebacker Jason Cabinda led the Lion tacklers with seven stops, followed by defensive tackle Austin Johnson with five. One of Johnson’s tackles was a nineyard sack of Lunt, while linemate Anthony Zettel sacked Lunt for a 15yard loss and defensive end Carl Nassib dumped him for nine yards to raise his nationleading sack total to 14.5. A total of 10 Lions were involved in nine tackles for 48 yards in losses against the Illini. They marked the 16thstraight game in which State has posted at least five tackles for loss. The Lions also raised to 31 their consecutive game streak for recording QB sacks—the most since sacks became an official NCAA statistic in 2000. State’s offensive line, which started the sixth different combination in nine games this season, did allow Hackenberg to be sacked three times —all in the second quarter. But the wily passer surprised fans with one dicey scramble that avoided a sack and actually gained three yards. State’s margin of victory Saturday was its largest in a Big Ten game since a 48–7 win at Wisconsin in 2008, and its shutout was the biggest against a conference opponent since a 49–0 win over Northwestern in 2002. Northwestern is the next opponent on Penn State’s 2015 schedule and has been playing much better than in 2002. The Wildcats are 6–2 (2–2 Big Ten) and, like Maryland, have had an extra week to prepare for the visit of the 7–2 (4–1 Big Ten) Nittany Lions to Evanston. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. in Evanston (noon in Pennsylvania) and will be televised on ESPNU. For the Glory,

Part of your Penn State Alumni Association's mission is to strengthen the connection of alumni to the University and to provide valued services to members. The Football Letter is just one of the many benefits of membership provided to support that mission. VOLUME 78 ISSUE 9 Penn State vs. Illinois November 2, 2015

Notes from the Cuff A loud roar went up from the Beaver Stadium crowd at halftime, when the end zone Follow us on videoboards depicted beloved Coach Joe Paterno, Twitter and Heisman runnerup Chuck Fusina, and All Check out the new American kicker Matt Bahr, citing their recent Football Letter induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Blog Fame … Saturday was AllUniversity Day and all of Penn PSU 12 3 10 14 39 State’s campuses were represented with banners Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 during halftime. It was also THON Day with a salute to volunteers for the nation’s largest and most successful student CONTENTS run philanthropy, which raises millions each year for the Four Diamonds Fund to support children with cancer and fund pediatric cancer research The Letter at Penn State’s Hershey Medical Center. An expanded SZone in the Notes from the Cuff student section included a giant yellow ribbon and many students wore Other Sports purple shirts and displayed a large purple banner in tribute to former News of Note THON dancer Kayla Nakonechni, who herself was afflicted with cancer Game Photos and passed away last month … Statistics Six of Penn State’s fall sports teams have ranked in the Top Ten nationally in average home attendance this fall, and seven have ranked in the Top Three in the Big Ten Conference. First nationally is field hockey with an average of 576 per game. Fourth nationally and third in the conference is women’s volleyball with an average of 4,004. Sixth nationally and first in the Big Ten is women’s soccer with a 1,869 PAST ISSUES average. Sixth nationally and third in the conference are football with a 99,351 average and men’s hockey with an average of 6,126. Seventh View past issues nationally and second in the Big Ten is women’s hockey with an average of 614. Third in the conference and 20th nationally is men’s soccer with FAN ZONE 1,617 … Football Schedule The announced attendance in Beaver Stadium Saturday was 94,417. Team Roster Unfortunately, several thousand of those were wearing Halloween GoPSUSports.com costumes that looked remarkably like empty seats … Radio/TV Listings The Big Ten has three teams ranked in the nation’s Top Ten this week Big Ten Football TV Schedule with Ohio State No. 1, Michigan State No. 6 and Iowa No. 10. That is the Big Ten Standings most of any conference … Big Ten Schedule and Results Illinois’ 167 total offense yards were the fewest allowed by the Nittany Penn Staters in the Pros Lions this year and the fewest since Minnesota’s 138 yards in 2009 … For advertising info, State leads the series with Illinois 18–5, with a 9–1 mark in Beaver contact: Angelo Scialfa Stadium … 6092591910 [email protected] The Lions are 11–8–1 on Halloween, including 6–2–1 at home … Saturday’s game was the first in which Penn State shut out any opponent, since beating Kent State, 34–0, in 2013 … State’s 39point margin of victory is the largest in a Big Ten home game since a 52–7 win over Indiana in 2003 … The Nittany Lions 12 points in the first quarter are the most in the opening frame since they scored 14 against Purdue in 2013 … Penn State improved its 2015 record of scoring in the red zone to 31 times in 34 trips (19 TDs and 12 FGs) … The Lions’ six points after a turnover by Illinois Saturday raised their season total to 54 points scored after 18 turnovers … DaeSean Hamilton’s four catches Saturday increased his career total to 110, which ties him with Bryant Johnson for ninth alltime at Penn State … Saquon Barkley’s five touchdowns this season tie him with Matt Suhey (1976) and Austin Scott (2003) for second place on State’s alltime list for true freshmen … Carl Nassib’s mark of posting at least one sack in nine consecutive games is the longest streak by a Penn Stater since sacks became an NCAA statistic in 2000. His 18.5 total tackles for loss this fall are the most since Aaron Maybin’s 20 in 2008 … Penn State entered Saturday’s game as the Big Ten leader in total sacks at 35 and added four more against Illinois … Anthony Zettel now has 19 career sacks, which ties him with Bruce Clark, LaVar Arrington and Jay Alford for eighth on State’s alltime list. His 37 career tackles for loss rank him 10th in Nittany Lion annals … Redshirt freshman tailback Nick Scott is 2for2 in passing, having completed a 32yarder to Chris Godwin against San Diego State before tossing a 14yarder to Christian Hackenberg against Illinois … Penn State’s 241 yards of total offense in the second half Saturday was more than eight times as much as Illinois’ 29. The Lions’ game total of 400 yards of offense was 2.4 times as much as the Illini’s 167 … Carl Nassib and Austin Johnson have been added to the Bednarik Award watch list, joining Anthony Zettel. Chris Godwin has been added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list for the nation’s top receiver.

News of Note Pep Rally, Event Details for Northwestern Penn State will visit Evanston, Ill., this weekend, and details are set for Follow us on the alumni mixer and pregame pep rally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, Twitter and and Saturday, Nov. 7. For all the info, visit the Alumni Association’s Check out the new website. Football Letter Blog And for alumni, students and fans on social media, use and share #PSUpeprally for everything trending about the 2015 Penn State pep rallies this season. PSU 12 3 10 14 39 Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 Follow the Alumni Association on Social Media Stay updated on Alumni Association news and events by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Also follow The Football Letter and The CONTENTS Penn Stater magazine on Twitter for more information on what’s The Letter happening at Penn State. Notes from the Cuff Huddle with the Faculty Other Sports Alumni and friends can catch light refreshments and some food for News of Note thought at “Huddle with the Faculty,” the popular free lecture series Game Photos hosted by the Penn State Alumni Association each home football Statistics Saturday at The Nittany Lion Inn. The last presentation in the 24th annual Huddle series is: Nov. 21 (Michigan): “Can Modern Coral Reefs Adapt to Climate Change,” featuring Mónica Medina, associate professor of biology

PAST ISSUES Coral reefs are the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. Geological structures View past issues built by living organisms over millions of years, coral reefs are the result of a symbiosis between FAN ZONE an animal known as coral, and an alga, also known as zooxanthellae. This symbiosis is now Football Schedule being threatened by climate change factors like Team Roster global warming and ocean acidification, as well GoPSUSports.com as human activity like pollution and overfishing. Radio/TV Listings Through the study of coralalgal interactions, Medina contributes to the Big Ten Football TV Schedule understanding of the molecular underpinnings that maintain healthy Big Ten Standings marine symbioses. In particular, Medina has recently studied improbable Big Ten Schedule and reefs—those that are still thriving under increasingly unfavorable Results conditions—with the ultimate goal of identifying the adaptive potential of Penn Staters in the Pros modern reefs to cope with global change. For advertising info, All “Huddle with the Faculty” programs start promptly at 9:00 a.m. and contact: Angelo Scialfa include free parking at the Nittany Parking Deck. 6092591910 [email protected] 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. Hintz Family Alumni Center Open House Hours A reminder to all visitors that the Hintz Family Alumni Center’s open hours change during football season. On home football game days, the Alumni Center opens at 8:00 a.m., and closes one hour before kickoff. 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.

Published by Penn State Alumni Association Copyright © 2015 Penn State Alumni Association. All rights reserved. Part of your Penn State Alumni Association's mission is to strengthen the connection of alumni to the University and to provide valued services to members. The Football Letter is just one of the many benefits of membership provided to support that mission.