URL:http://www.alumni.psu.edu/fbl Username: psualum Password: weare Sept. 10, 2012 * Vol. 75, No. 2

Nobody said it was going to be easy. obody tried to tell Bill O’Brien that his first Nhead coaching job was going to compare to his recent success as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. Nevertheless, he was excited to be back in the college ranks, and he did everything imaginable to rally the Penn State players and fans in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Last week he had his team leading until late in the third quarter against the Mid American Conference favorite. This week his NCAA-depleted squad was ahead until the final 1:28 on the road against an Atlantic Coast Conference bowl team. And it still had a chance to win on the final play of the game. But Bill is still seeking his first victory as the headmaster, after two winnable contests. If Silas Redd were still carrying the ball for Penn State instead of Southern Cal and JORDAN HILL (47) stabs his first career and returns it nine yards before being tackled by Virginia QB Anthony Fera were still kicking for the Lions Michael Rocco in Cavaliers' 17-16 win in Charlottesville Saturday. instead of the Longhorns, O’Brien’s record might well be 2-0 instead of 0-2. However, the new leader of the Nittany in first downs, a 121-32 margin in rushing, a home team’s Red Zone. Again the UVA defense Lions will have none of it. 330-295 advantage in total offense and a 4-0 held and Ficken missed from 38 yards. “We just have to get back to work on whitewash in turnovers caused. McGloin who had completed 8 of 14 passes Monday and keep working hard,” he told the But the 15th head coach in 126 years of for 57 yards and the , was taken to media in his post-game interview. “These kids football at Penn State saw a lot of things to the locker room before halftime, after suffering left it all out there today, there’s no question build on in the tough environment of a very two hits to the elbow of his throwing arm that about that, and I really appreciate their effort.” loud Scott Stadium. left him with no feeling in his fingers. His following observation was the same as “I think there are a lot of positives,” he said. After Drew Jarrett kicked a 46-yard field that of thousands of Penn State fans among “These kids play extremely hard, and I’m very goal to give the home team its first points, true the 56,087 in beautiful Scott Stadium, where proud to be associated with them. freshman Steven Bench came on in relief of the Lions lost to Virginia, 17-16, on another “They really emptied the tank today.” McGloin and moved the Lions from the PS-25 hot sunny Saturday. The visitors in Virginia started strong, to the VA-30 before time ran out. “We just have to do a better job in the red marching 75 yards with the opening kickoff, Penn State had a 7-3 halftime lead, but no area offensively and stop people on third and converting two fourth downs and two third points to show for the two turnovers forced by long. And we have to keep fighting.” downs along the way to the game’s first score in its defense deep in UVA territory. He refused to but any blame on sophomore 6:27. The touchdown came on Matt McGloin’s When x-rays of his elbow came up negative, place kicker Sam Ficken, who missed four field 8-yard pass to Kyle Carter on a tight end delay McGloin gutted it out in the second half, goal attempts of 42 yards or less and had an extra across the middle. completing 11 of 21 passes for 140 yards and point kick blocked. Or on an offense that could On Virginia’s first offensive play, another TD – this one a 30-yard bomb caught by get only three points out of four turnovers that Michael Rocco completed a pass to a diving in the end zone early in the defense forced in the Virginia Red Zone. tight end Paul Freedman. But Lion linebacker the fourth quarter. Thus Penn State retook the “I could have called better plays, and we Mike Mauti hit Freedman so hard the ball lead the Cavaliers had claimed with an 11-play could have executed better,” O’Brien said. “It’s bounced out of his grasp into the arms of State 77-yard drive to open the second half. a team sport, and we have to figure out other safety Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, who returned But when Ficken’s extra point try was ways to improve.” it 20 yards to the VA-17. blocked, some Lion fans saw an ominous Penn State led Virginia in most statistics The Cavalier defense stiffened, however, sign that it might ultimately be the margin of except the only one that counts -- final score. and Ficken missed his first field goal attempt Virginia’s victory. The Lions ran off 85 plays to the home from 40 yards. A recovery by linebacker Gerald team’s 61, held a three and a half minute In the second quarter Mauti pressured Rocco, Hodges had again been squandered by the edge in time of possession and penetrated and defensive Jordan Hill intercepted the Penn State offense in the third quarter. And Virginia territory on 10 of 12 drives, while Virginian’s pass, returning it nine yards into the previously a 72-yard drive in 13 plays ended allowing the Cavaliers to cross midfield only with no points, when Ficken sliced a chip shot four times in 12 tries. State had a 19-14 lead PENN STATE 7 0 0 9 16 20-yarder wide right. VIRGINIA 0 3 7 7 17 Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g R E C A P 1st Quarter PS: Carter 8-yd pass from McGloin caps 17-pl 75-yd drive in 6:27 keyed by McGloin 7-yd pass to Robinson on 3rd & 6, McGloin 1-yd rush on 4th & 1, Zordich 3-yd run on 4th & 1 & McGloin pass 17 yds to Day. (Ficken kick) 8:33 2nd Quarter VA: Jarrett 46-yd FG caps 10-pl 50-yd drive in 4:20 keyed by Rocco passes 16 yds to Parks, 15 yds to Jennings on 3rd & 6 & 16 yds to Jennings. 3:56 3rd Quarter VA: Mathis 1-yd pass from Rocco caps 11-pl 77- yd drive in 5:38 keyed by Rocco passes 8 yds to Jennings on 3rd & 1, 26 yds to McGee & 20 yds to 1 2 Terrell & Jones 3-yd run on 3rd & 1. (Jarrett kick) 9:22 4th Quarter PS: Robinson 30-yd pass from McGloin on 3rd & 7 caps 5-pl 45-yd drive in 1:43. (Kick blocked) 13:10 PS: Ficken 32-yd FG caps 4-pl 3-yd drive in 1:23 set up by Mauti rec. of Sims fum. frcd. by Barnes at VA-17. 10:55 VA: McGee 6-yd pass from Rocco caps 12-pl 86-yd drive in 6:36 keyed by Rocco passes 9 yds to Jones on 3rd & 5, 44 yds to McGee on 3rd & 16, 10 yds to Scott & 24 yds to Jennings on 3rd & 7. (Jarrett kick) 1:28 Attendance: 56,087 9 10

But the fourth UVA turnover looked like it 1: AN EXUBERANT CROWD of Penn Staters filled McGrady’s Irish might be the nail in the Virginia coffin, when Pub, its deck, its lawn and overflowed into the street Friday night freshman defensive end Deion Barnes sacked at an event sponsored by the Alumni Association and the Central QB Phil Sims, who had relieved Rocco, and Virginia Chapter. 2: LIONS’ LEADING TACKLER Michael Mauti forced a fumble pounced on by Mauti at the dives to tackle Virginia’s leading rusher Perry Jones, who was VA-17. Though the home team defense held one held to 14 yards on eight carries Saturday. 3: ALLEN ROBINSON more time, Ficken line-drived a 32-yard field dives for a 30-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter goal through the uprights on his fourth try to to recapture the lead for Penn State. 4: SENIOR DEREK DAY give State a 16-10 lead with 10:55 left. got his first start at tailback and circled left end for an 11-yard The teams exchanged punts till Virginia gain. 5: SAFETY Malcolm Willis and linebacker Michael Mauti started its final possession on its 14-yard line stop9 Cavalier tight end Jake McGee after a catch. 6: MICHAEL with 8:04 remaining in the contest. YANCICH (33), Jake Fagnano (27) and Malcolm Willis (10) bring Barnes sacked Rocco, and the home team down Virginia kickoff returner Khalek Shepherd. 7: FUMBLE – had a third down at the VA-19. But Rocco Defensive end Deion Barnes sacked Virginia QB Philip Sims, completed a 9-yard pass to running back Perry forcing a fourth-quarter fumble, recovered by Michael Mauti (42). Jones. A minute later Rocco faced a 3rd & 16 8: LINEBACKER (43) sacks Cavalier QB Michael from his own 22. Under heavy pressure, he Rocco. 9: TIGHT END Kyle Carter caught four passes for 33 yards, scrambled to his left then heaved a 44-yard including the game’s first touchdown. 10: FRESHMAN QB Steven aerial toward Jake McGee. The 6-5 tight end Bench throws his first collegiate pass for a 7-yard completion to leaped and took it away from Penn State safeties Allen Robinson. 5-10 Obeng-Agyapong and 6-0 Jake Fagnano. Three plays later Rocco faced a 3rd & 7 at the PS-31. He avoided a blitz and flipped a pass to Darius Jennings that gained 24 yards to the PS-7. On 3rd & goal from the six he 8 found McGee again in the end zone. Jarrett’s conversion gave Virginia a one-point lead. Virginia’s 12th leading passer in history -- the son of Frank Rocco Jr., a quarterback on Penn State’s 1982 national championship team -- had been held to 15 completions on 27 throws for 161 yards and one TD before that final drive. But on that drive he converted all four third down situations, while completing all six of his passes for 97 yards and the game-tying touchdown. With the final 88 seconds ticking off the clock, McGloin completed six of eight passes, throwing 4 yards to Zach Zwinak, 14 to Robinson, 6 to Carter, 8 to Robinson, 16 to Carter and 3 to Carter. Penn State called 7 6 timeout with one second left and sent Ficken out yards last week, led all receivers Saturday with for a 42-yard attempt that would win the game. 10 catches for 89 yards and his first collegiate But the fickle finger of fate filibustered touchdown…Mauti (9) and Hodges (8) led the Ficken again. His kick went wide left, and Lion tacklers…Poor Sam Ficken probably wishes the Virginia fans went widely wild over their Penn State had not added player’s names to the unexpected victory. back of their jerseys this fall. He is the first kicker Military Day in Beaver Stadium next to miss four field goal attempts against Virginia Saturday will feature the Nittany Lions’ since 1964…Virginia’s 32 rushing yards were its first meeting with Navy since 1974, after the fewest in any victory since 2002. And this was only dedication of the memorial to Penn State Medal the fourth time in the Mike London era that of Honor winner Navy Lieutenant Michael the Cavaliers were held to less than 300 yards of Murphy and all veterans between Old Main and total offense…The last time Penn State started McAllister Hall at 5:30 p.m. Friday. 0-2 was in 2001, when it last lost to Virginia and finished 5-6…The $6.5 million Suzanne Paterno For the Glory, Catholic Student Center at Penn State was dedicated Saturday as a “home away from home” for students. Sue said she wished Joe were here to join her for the dedication, because they raised the money together, as they did everything, except “I didn’t coach and he didn’t cook.”

OTHER SPORTS he women’s field hockey team won two Tmatches to raise its record to 5-2, the women’s NOTES FROM THE CUFF volleyball team moved up to No. 2 in the rank- irginia has much in common with Penn State. ings, then lost its first match of the season to VIt is an outstanding educational institution Oregon State, the women’s soccer squad lost with great traditions and a beautiful campus its first road game at Brigham Young and the tucked into a lovely historic college town -- albeit men’s team battled to a scoreless draw against twice as old as State College. And it graduates a West Virginia in two overtimes. similar percentage of its football players…One Coach Char Morett’s field hockey team striking tradition is the Cavalier mascot making topped Temple, 5-1, Saturday and shutout Cor- a grand entrance, brandishing his sword while nell, 2-0, Sunday. Senior Kelsey Amy had two riding a galloping horse and leading the football goals and one assist against the Owls. Whitney team into Scott Stadium to thunderous applause Reddig had two assists and Ashtin Klingler, from the faithful…Virginia quarterback Michael Laura Gebhart and Brittany Grzywacz each Rocco, a 6-3, 225-lb. junior who started all 13 scored goals. The Lions outshot Temple, 28-9, Cavalier games last year and led them to an and had a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners. 8-5 record and a berth in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Goalie Ayla Halus got her first shutout was coached at Liberty Christian High School against Cornell, as the Lions outshot the Big in Lynchburg by his father, Frank Rocco, Jr., Red, 32-3, and had a 7-1 penalty corner ad- a back-up quarterback to on 3 vantage. Grzywacz got both goals on penalty Penn State’s 1982 national champions. Coming strokes. out of high school, Michael had a chance to play After winning the Nike Big Four tourna- for Penn State, but since Rob Bolden and Paul ment by topping Stanford and Texas, the Jones had already committed to the Nittany women’s volleyball team moved up two spots to Lions, Michael chose Virginia. Last year he No. 2 in the national rankings before heading passed for 2,671 yards – most ever by a first year to the Chicago Classic. There Coach Russ Rose’s starter at UVA and had a school bowl record of lasses swept DePaul, 25-17, 25-12, 25-17, and the 26 completions against Auburn. Last week he University of Illinois-Chicago, 25-17, 25-18, 25- was 27 of 37 for 311 yards and a touchdown in 17, but got upset by Oregon State, 17-25, 25-17, leading his team to a 43-19 win over Richmond, 11-25, 25-17, 15-12. coached by his uncle Dan Rocco, who was a Penn The Nittany Lions, now 7-1, outhit DePaul State defensive back in the late 1970s…Probably .480 to .076 and UIC, .239 to .056, but were the only Penn State fans in Scott Stadium who outhit themselves by the Beavers, .229 to .205. were satisfied with the outcome of the game 4 For the weekend, Ariel Scott had 38 kills and Saturday were Mike’s grandfather Frank Rocco Deja McClendon 33. Micha Hancock had 38 Sr. and his wife. He was a member of the Penn assists against DePaul and 49 against Oregon State football staff for 19 years, and they still State. Katie Slay had a match-high eight blocks reside in State College. They just wanted to see against UIC and Dominique Gonzalez a match- a good, close game with their grandson having a high 19 digs against the Beavers. great performance…Michael Zordich, Michael BYU tallied two quick second half scores to Mauti and were game captains defeat Penn State’s women’s soccer team, 3-1, for the Nittany Lions…Tailback Bill Belton, after Mallory Weber had tied the first half score injured in the Ohio game, stayed back in State at 1-1 by booting in a goal. College Saturday but saw his replacement Derek In cross-country action the women’s Day go down with a shoulder injury in the third team dominated the Spiked Shoe meet with quarter. Matt McGloin, Pete Massaro and Nyeem a 25-point total, while the men finished third. Wartman all had to leave the field at one time Victoria Perri was the runner-up in the 6K or another with minor injuries…Day was the women’s race at 21:20, 17 seconds behind leading rusher in the game with 47 yards on 11 Ohio’s Julie Accurso. State’s Natalie Bower was carries before being injured. Allen Robinson, 5 third in 21:26 and Rebekka Simko fourth, just who had a career-high nine receptions for 97 a second behind. Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g P E R I O D I C A L U. S. Postage Paid

Ohio 24 Penn State 14 Virginia 17 Penn State 16 Sept. 15 Navy (ABC/ESPN2) 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Temple TBA Sept. 29 @ Illinois TBA Oct. 6 Northwestern (Homecoming) Noon Oct. 20 @ Iowa (BTN-TV) 8 p.m. ET Oct. 27 Ohio State (ESPN/2) 6 p.m. Nov. 3 @ Purdue TBA Nov. 10 @ Nebraska TBA Nov. 17 Indiana TBA Nov. 24 Wisconsin TBA

Sophomore Matt Fischer was second in the University of Illinois campus. Look for the tent in S T A T I S T I C S men’s 5.2-mile race at 26:07, just seven seconds the group tent area, on the east side of Assembly behind Alejandro Arroyo Yamin of Princeton. Hall, off Fourth Street. The pep rally will feature PSU UVA th Sam Masters finished 13 in 26:35 followed by the Penn State cheerleaders, the Nittany Lion, Total Plays – Yards 85-330 61-295 Nick Scarpello in 15th place. the Penn State Pep Band, free refreshments and Rushes - Net Yards 42-121 25-32 For more information and details on all Nittany more. The kick time is not yet announced, but Lion varsity sports go to www.GoPSUsports.com. the tent will open three hours before kickoff, and Passing Yards 209 263 the program will begin two hours before kickoff. Passes (Att-Cmp-Int) 43-21-0 36-23-1 HUDDLE WITH THE FACULTY On Friday night, the Alumni Association Avg. Gain Per Play 3.9 4.8 lumni and friends can catch a quick breakfast and its Central Illinois Chapter will co-sponsor First downs 19 14 Aand some food for thought at “Huddle with an alumni and friends mixer. Free munchies Yards Lost Rushing 19 31 the Faculty,” the popular free lecture series each will be provided, as well as entertainment by Intcptn Returns – Yards 1-9 0-0 home football Saturday at The Nittany Lion the cheerleaders, Pep Band and Lion. For more Kickoffs – Average 4-61 4-65 Inn. The next presentations in the 20th annual information, including the location and time, Kickoff Returns – Avg. 1-27 3-19.3 Huddle series are: visit the Alumni Association’s website at www. Punt Returns – Avg. 2-2 1-0 Sept. 15 “The Media: Covering Sports, alumni.psu.edu/events. Punts - Average 3-41.7 4-42.5 Politics and Controversy,” Malcolm Moran, - Lost 0-0 3-3 Inaugural John S. and James L. Knight Chair in THE ALUMNI STORE HITS THE ROAD Penalties - Yards 3-24 10-70 Sports Journalism and Society and director of the ne cargo van. Scores of goods. More than John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. O500 miles. Penn Stater fans are not the only Sacks by - Yards 3-14 2-12 rd Sept. 22 “Social Media Use by Adolescents,” ones hitting the road this football season to cheer 3 Dn Conversions 10 of 23 9 of 15 Lynette Kvasny, associate professor of information on the Nittany Lions in frenemy territory—The 4th Dn Conversions 3 of 4 0 of 0 sciences and technologies. Alumni Store @ Penn State will set up shop at Red Zone Scores – Chances 2 of 5 2 of 2 All “Huddle with the Faculty” lectures the Sept. 29 pep rally at Illinois to make sure all Time of Possession 31:47 28:13 include free refreshments prior to the fans are decked out in blue and white before they Attempts/Yards (Longest) presentation and free parking at the Nittany head into the game. Rushing: Day 18/47 (11); Dukes 10/30 (7); Carson 1/19; Bench 3/18 Lion Inn Deck. Huddles are sponsored and (15); Zordich 2/5 (3); McGloin 4/3 (7); Zwinak 3/2 (2). organized by the Penn State Alumni Association ALUMNI ZONE HOMECOMING TAILGATE Passing No. Com. Int. Yds. TD Lg Sk and co-sponsored by The Nittany Lion Inn and ave fun at a great tailgate without all of the McGloin 35 19 0 197 2 30 1/10 Penn State Press. Hwork of putting it together. The Alumni Bench 7 2 0 12 0 7 1/2 Zone Homecoming Tailgate, beginning after the Receiving: Robinson 10/89 (30); Carter 4/33 (16); Kenney 3/50 (24); TAILGREAT 2012 Oct. 6 Northwestern game until 6:30 p.m. in the Day 1/17; Kersey 1/9; Lehman 1/7; Zwinak 1/4. enn State fans looking for a break from Ashenfelter Indoor Multi-Sports Facility (south All Purpose Yards: Robinson 89; Day 64; Kenney 50; Carter 33. Ptraditional tailgating can head to the Bryce of the BJC), is a feast of food and beverages, Kickoff Returns: Amos 1/27. Jordan Center. The Blue Band TailGreat Show games and entertainment by the Phyrst Phamily, Kickoffs: Ficken 4/61. offers free fun for families and fans of all ages. the Alumni Blue Band, the Alumni Majorettes Punt Returns: Della Valle 1/4; Lewis 1/0. Get pumped up for football with a pre-game and the Alumni Lionettes. Admission is $30 Punts: Butterworth 3/41.7 (52). performance by the Blue Band, cheerleaders, for Alumni Association members, $40 for Fumbles Forced: Mauti, Barnes 1. Fumbles Recovered: Lionettes dance team, Nittany Lion and more. non-members and $15 for children (free for Obeng-Agyapong 1/20; Mauti, Hodges 1/0. : Hill 1/9. Activities throughout the season will be children under 5). Register at www.alumni.psu. Passes Broken Up: Mauti 1. available on the BJC concourse, including free edu/events. Sacks: Barnes 2/5; Hull 1/9. airbrush tattoos, spirit hairstyles, football player Tackles for Loss: Barnes 2/5; Hull 1/9; Amos 1/6; Stanley 1/5; cards, photos with cheerleaders and games with HOMECOMING TAILGATE COMPETITION Morris 1/2; Carson, Massaro 0.5/2. prizes. The BJC opens three hours before kickoff. nter your tailgate in the Homecoming Tailgate Tackles: Mauti 9, Hodges 8; Amos 6; Willis, Carson 5; Morris, ECompetition, which will take place before the Obeng-Agyapong 4; Hill, Stanley 3. PENN STATE EVENTS AT ILLINOIS SEPT. 28–29 game against Northwestern on Oct. 6. Student Players: C: Stankiewitch. G: Urschel, Dieffenbach, Shrive, Mangiro. enn State fans can get revved up for the judges will visit all registered tailgates to select T: Farrell, Smith, Gress. TE: Carter, Gilliam, James, Lehman. Pgame against the Fighting Illini at the Alumni winners in the categories of Best Food, Best Pride WR: Robinson, Kersey, Kenney, Mosby-Felder, Williams, Evan Lewis. Association’s Penn State Pep Rally on the & Spirit and Best Penn State Tailgate. Register QB: McGloin, Bench. FB: Zordich, Zerbe. TB: Day, Dukes, Zwinak. your tailgate for the competition by the morning DT: Hill, Jones, Terry, Baublitz. DE: Stanley, Massaro, Barnes, Olaniyan, Zettel. ILB: Carson, Hull. OLB: Hodges, Mauti, Hull, Kline. MEN’S & WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY of the event by clicking here [link to: http:// CB: Morris, Amos, Davis. Saf: Willis, Obeng-Agyapong, Fagnano. September 28 Big Ten Chmps. @ Mich. State homecoming.psu.edu/alumni_tailgate.php]. 8 HARRY GROVES SPIKED SHOE (TBA) Winners will be announced at the Alumni Zone P: Butterworth. K: Ficken. KS: Etter. KH: Keiser. KT: Davis, Amos, INVIT. (10 a.m.) November Wartman, Obeng-Agyapong, Zordich, Willis, Morris, J. Lucas, Kenney, 29 @ Greater Louisville Classic (TBA) 9 NCAA MID-ATLANTIC REG. (Noon) Homecoming Tailgate in the Ashenfelter Indoor October 17 NCAA Chmps. @ Louisville (TBA) Multi-Sports Facility following the football game. Keiser, Dukes, Zwinak, Yanccich, Zerbe, Thompson, Kline, Della Valle, 12 @ Adidas Wisconsin Invit. (TBA) Carson, Hull, Etter, Mangiro, Shrive, Farrell, Irvin, Carter, Terry.

The Football Letter (USPS 763-880) Published weekly following a football game during the University’s football season by The Pennsylvania State University, Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park, PA 16802. Periodicals postage paid at State College, PA 16801. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Football Letter, Department B, Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park, PA 16802-2096. U.Ed. ALU 12-22