URL:http://www.alumni.psu.edu/fbl Username: psualum Password: weare Oct. 8, 2012 * Vol. 75, No. 6

ou’ve got to love this team! Y Overcoming all adversity, whether adminis- tered by the NCAA or themselves, they’ve built a four-game winning streak. And at the mid-point of the season the Nittany Lions are beginning to look like a team of destiny. Saturday they had a slow start with dropped passes, penalties, and a fumbled punt and trailed their opponent at halftime for the first time this year. But they rebounded in the fourth quarter to overcome an 11-point deficit in the final 10 minutes by scoring 22 unanswered points to defeat previously unbeaten and No. 22-ranked Northwestern, 39-28, and win the Academic Bowl. The two Big Ten teams with the best aca- demic records put on a great gridiron show for the national ESPN television audience and the Beaver Stadium crowd of 95,769 – more than will watch 31 of the 32 bowl games at the end ZACH ATTACK: Zach Zwinak pounded through Northwestern defense for second straight 100-yard rushing game. of this season. “You can’t say enough about these kids,” The Lions doubled the visitors’ time of option running. They have a couple of really head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters after possession and ran off 99 offensive plays in good skilled people who can pitch and catch the game. “With what they’ve been through this sixth game of Bill O’Brien’s first season and run – such as Venric Mark, who aver- – they’re smart, they’re tough and they’re com- to tie the school record set in a 38-6 win at aged 5.5 yards on 13 carries and broke away mitted to Penn State.” The Lions’ new head- West Virginia in 1966 in the sixth game of Joe on a 75-yard punt return for a third-quarter master said, “There’s great chemistry in that Paterno’s first season. touchdown, and Kain Colter, a team leader in locker room. These guys are playing hard, and Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said, rushing, passing and catching. it’s really fun to see the smiles on their faces.” “They had a great plan, controlling time of Penn State’s coaches had freshmen Eugene Summing it up, O’Brien said, “We have a possession and really stymieing our offense -- 40 Lewis and Malik Golden mimic Colter in prac- bunch of great kids that love to go to school minutes to 20 and 99 plays to 62. It’s a complete tice last week, while teaching State’s defenders here and take pride in playing football for role reversal of our blueprint for success,” said how to play “Where’s Waldo.” Hodges said Penn State.” the leader of the squad that dominated its first the defense had to know where Colter was on On a day that dawned wet, dim and dreary, five opponents in similar fashion. every play. The Northwestern star gained 304 the sun finally broke through in time for a great A stout Nittany Lion defense limited to a all-purpose yards last week, but had only 41 Homecoming halftime show with the combined season-low 247 total yards a Northwestern team against Penn State. student and alumni Blue Bands. And after that had gained a school record 704 yards a “This game was a test of our will and charac- the Nittany Lions finished ringing the Victory week earlier against the Indiana squad that ter,” said Mauti. The defense focused on getting Bell about 100 minutes later, bright sunshine nearly upset last year’s Legends Division champ “three-and-outs,” and he, Hodges, Jordan Hill welcomed alumni back to their tailgates in Michigan State Saturday. and Stephon Morris stuffed numerous third- once-again Happy Valley. “This was the best defense by far that we’ve down plays. For the first time since knocking off No. 17 seen this year,” Fitzgerald said. “And don’t forget Meanwhile, McGloin broke Wally Richard- Michigan State in November 2008 to win the the crowd – the 12th man.” son’s Penn State record by completing 35 passes Big Ten championship, Penn State defeated a Penn State also held the Wildcats to season in 51 attempts for 282 yards and two touchdowns. ranked opponent in Beaver Stadium. And they lows in first downs (14) and rushing yards (112) He also ran for one, as did fullback Michael did so by dominating the conference’s Leg- just a week after they had 36 first downs, 394 Zordich and tailback Zach Zwinak, who posted ends Division leaders for the final 16 minutes, rushing and 310 passing yards. his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game. outgaining them 186 yards to 25 on the field Linebacker Gerald Hodges was all over It was the first TD of the year and sixth of his and 22-0 on the scoreboard, while a deafening the field, notching 11 tackles plus two pass four-year career for Zordich, one of the team’s crowd played the 12th man. break-ups and a forced fumble. His mate, Mi- most vocal leaders, and the third for Zwinak, “The crowd was so into it, we knew we had chael Mauti, made all nine of his tackles in the the squad’s rushing leader with 317. to make something happen,” said quarterback comeback second half and raised his team lead The 6-1 232-pound sophomore mounted a Matt McGloin, who completed 13 of 15 passes to 57 for the season. Zach Attack, crashing through Wildcats for 121 for 103 yards and a touchdown, while leading Northwestern has a well-drilled, fast-paced yards in 28 carries – nine more than his and the his team on scoring drives of 82, 85 and 28 offense, featuring precision short passing and team’s previous high of 19 last week at Illinois. yards, and controlling the ball for nearly 13 of With his fourth straight 200-yard passing the last 16 minutes. PENN STATE 3 7 7 22 39 game, McGloin leads the Big Ten in comple- NORTHWESTERN 0 14 14 0 28 Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g R E C A P 1st Quarter PS: Ficken 21-yd FG caps 13-pl 33-yd drive in 5:56 keyed by McGloin passes 11 yds to Zwinak & 12 yds to Robinson on 4th & 4 & Zwinak 3-yd run on 4th & 1. 3:41 2nd Quarter PS: Zwinak 1-yd run caps 8-pl 40-yd drive in 2:16 sparked by McGloin 15-yd pass to Moseby-Felder & 2-yd run on 4th & 1 & Zwinak 12-yd run. (Ficken kick) 9:34 NW: Mark 2-yd run caps 3-pl 17-yd drive in 1:11 set up by Van Hoose rec. of Della Valle fum. punt & sparked by Colter 12-yd run. (Budzien kick) 6:23 NW: Jones 11-yd pass from Siemian caps 8-pl 66-yd drive in 1:56 set up by stop of PS on downs @ NW-34 & 1 2 keyed by pass intf. pen. on Morris & Siemian passes 16 yds to Trumpy & 13 yds to Fields. (Budzien kick) 0:30 3rd Quarter PS: Robinson 8-yd pass from McGloin caps 12-pl 80- yd drive in 5:28 keyed by Zwinak 3-yd run on 3rd & 1 & 15-yd run & McGloin 14-yd pass to Carter on 3rd & 6 & 15-yd pass intf. pen.. (Ficken kick) 7:17 NW: Colter 10-yd run caps 11-pl 71-yd drive in 4:06 keyed by Mark 14 & 11-yd runs & Siemian pass 11 yds to Colter & Siemian14-yd rush. (Budzien kick) 3:12 NW: Mark 75-yd punt ret. (Budzien kick) 0:50 9 10 4th Quarter PS: Robinson 6-yd pass from McGloin on 4th & 4 caps 1: SOPHOMORE Zach Zwinak dives over blocks of Penn 18-pl 82-yd drive in 5:55 keyed by Zwinak 6-yd run on State’s offensive line for Lions’ first touchdown Saturday. 2: STEPHON MORRIS makes diving tackle on Wildcat receiver. 3rd & 2 & McGloin passes 5 yds to Lehman on 3rd & 3 3: ALUMNI BANDSMEN of all ages played for Homecoming. & 9 yds to Robinson on 3rd & 3 & 2-yd run on 3rd & 2 4: DAQUAN JONES (91) prevents pass by NW QB and Jordan & 16-yd pass to Zwinak. (Zordich rush) 9:49 Hill (47) makes tackle. 5: TOUCHDOWN CATCH by Allen PS: McGloin 5-yd run caps 15-pl 85-yd drive in 5:38 Robinson in tight coverage sparked State’s fourth-quarter keyed by McGloin 2-yd run on 3rd & 1 & 18-yd pass comeback. 6: MATT McGLOIN completed 35 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. 7: OFFENSIVE LEADER Michael to Robinson & 5-yd pass to Robinson on 3rd & 2 & Zordich scores game’s final touchdown.8: FIERY LEADER Zwinak 16-yd run & McGloin 13-yd pass to Moseby- Michael9 Mauti accentuates Lions’ win over 22nd-ranked Felder on 4th & 2. (Ficken kick) 2:37 Northwestern. 9: HAPPY PLAYERS sing Alma Mater in front PS: Zordich 3-yd run caps 3-pl 28-yd drive in 0:21 set of Blue Band 10: NITTANY LIONS line up for prayer after en- up by PS stop of NW on downs & keyed by Zordich tering stadium. (It worked!) 25-yd run. (Ficken kick) 1:30 Attendance: 95,769 tions (136) and passing yardage (249 per game) and is tied in touchdown passes at 12. Sophomore Allen Robinson caught Mc- Gloin’s two TD tosses – on an 8-yard slant in the second quarter and a 6-yard crossing pattern in the fourth -- to raise his team-leading total to seven. He hauled in a team-high nine aerials for 85 yards to raise his season total to 41 for 524. 8 “In a way it was a statement game,” said Rob- inson. “They were an undefeated team, and we knew coming in it was going to be a challenge.” “We’re playing every game like it’s our last,” added McGloin. “When you’re a senior playing your last few games at Penn State – that means a lot to him,” O’Brien said about the signal-caller he selected to run his offense. “I love coaching competitive people and he’s a very competitive guy.” Competitive enough that O’Brien trusted him to lead six fourth-down plays in this com- petitive contest. McGloin delivered on five of them, keeping alive scoring drives in the first, 7 6 second and fourth quarters, in addition to ing through the left side on a conversion run. climaxing another final frame march with the State’s defense turned in another three- fourth-down TD toss to Robinson, when the and-out, and McGloin moved the Lions 85 yards Lions were down by 11 points. on 15 plays in 5:38, while converting a 3rd & 1 Asked why he was willing to go for it on that with a two-yard sneak and a 4th & 2 with a 13- play rather than settling for a field goal attempt, yard pass to Brandon Moseby-Felder. O’Brien said he felt good about the rhythm On a third-and-goal from the NW-5, the red- McGloin was in, so he kept it going. He felt headed leader rolled right, while the offensive “something good could happen, because you line picked up a Wildcat blitz. He faked a pass know he’s going to make the right decision.” and hot-footed it into the front corner of the Penn State leads the nation in fourth down end zone for the lead-changing touchdown just attempts (20) and conversions (13). two and a half minutes before the final whistle. The Lions also ran a lot of no-huddle plays After the defense forced Siemian into a in the fourth quarter to wear down the Wildcats. fourth-down incompletion from the NW-28, “Our whole offense is comfortable with no- the Lions appeared to simply be running out huddle,” said McGloin. “We’re in better shape the clock. But fullback Zordich had a senior than every team we play. So we continue to push.” moment, breaking loose on a 25-yard run – The home team ran off 34 plays, while Penn State’s longest this year – then plunging 2 limiting the visitors to seven during the Lions’ three yards for the final TD of the game in the 22-point onslaught. O’Brien said his players Lions’ 39-28 win. “seem to enjoy our NASCAR package and Matt After a week off, State travels to Iowa for does a good job of handling it.” another night-time television game like the last Actually both teams frequently used the no- two in 2008 and 2010, when the Hawkeyes caged huddle offense, because both have smart players the Lions and marred their heretofore good adept at reading hand signals from the sidelines. records. A never-quit Penn State squad will have Penn State dominated the first quarter in the opportunity to break the Kirk Ferentz jinx. time of possession even more than the fourth, but had only three points to show for it, after a For the Glory, six-minute drive stalled on the NW-4, and Sam Ficken kicked a 21-yard field goal. “We were able to move the ball on them, we just stopped ourselves a few times,” ex- plained McGloin. In the middle of the second quarter State started to pound the Wildcat defense with the downhill running of Zwinak. McGloin ran a NOTES FROM THE CUFF quarterback sneak for two yards to convert a 4th new Navy destroyer was commissioned in New & 1, and Zwinak dove over the offensive line for AYork this weekend as the USS Michael Murphy a touchdown on the last of his 22 rushing yards in honor of Penn State’s Medal of Honor winner, during the 40-yard drive. And Penn State was in the 29-year-old Navy SEAL, who was killed in Af- command with a 10-0 lead as a result of their wide ghanistan in 2005, while protecting his troops… margin in total offense and time of possession. There was a robust crowd watching the nation’s 3 But the tide turned, when Jesse Della Valle largest Homecoming Parade moving through fumbled a punt that Wildcat Nick Van Hoose campus and town on a beautiful, mild Friday eve- recovered on the PS-17. ning, but “fair-weather fans” left 10,000 empty seats Colter broke through the line for 12 yards in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, when the morning and Mark carried for three yards, then two for was gloomy. Fans who are not committed to Penn the visitors’ first score. State this fall have been missing some really great Shortly before halftime, Northwestern football, played by an inspired and deserving mounted a quick-strike 66-yard drive, aided by team…The Nittany Lions have had to overcome a pass interference call on Morris. Quarterback halftime deficits in each of the last four games Trevor Siemian threw nine passes, the last of against Northwestern to stretch their win streak which traveled 11 yards to Tony Jones in the end over the Wildcats to six and their series lead to 13-3. zone with just 30 seconds on the clock. The Lions have averaged 37.6 points in those 13 Suddenly the visitors had a 14-10 halftime victories, as most encounters with Northwestern 4 margin and, for the first time all year, Penn have been high-scoring affairs…State has now State trailed at the break. outscored opponents 52-0 in the first quarter and The Lions regained the lead on their 86-23 in the first half. The Lions’ 30 first downs first possession of the second half, as Zwinak Saturday were the most since the 35 they posted pounded his way for 37 yards, McGloin passed in a 44-14 win over Minnesota in 2005 and the 22 for 28 and a pass interference penalty gave the fourth-quarter points were the most in a period Lions 15 on an 80-yard drive to paydirt. since the 28 scored at Michigan State in the third But the Wildcats jumped back to a 28-17 quarter of a 42-14 win in 2009. In its first five games advantage, after Colter slashed through Penn this fall Penn State had scored only 26 total points State’s defense on a 10-yard TD run to climax in the fourth quarter…Nittany Lion gridders were an 11-play 71-yard answer to the Lions’ third- busy last Thursday participating in the United Way quarter scoring drive, and Mark torched the Li- Day of Caring, assisting in projects for non-profit ons’ punt coverage team with his 75-yard gallop. organizations in the community…Players feed Thus the stage was set for the winners’ fourth- off the crowd, and Michael Mauti claimed “It quarter heroics, as McGloin calmly engineered couldn’t get any better with the atmosphere and an 18-play, 82-yard, six-minute march punctuated the noise” Saturday. “There weren’t many people by his six-yard fourth-down pass to Robinson in sitting down in the stadium at the end of the 5 the end zone. Zordich added two points by blast- game.” The players were happily standing in front 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 Penn State 34 Navy 7 Penn State 24 Temple 13 Penn State 35 Illinois 7 Penn State 39 Northwestern 28 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

of the Blue Band, singing the Alma Mater, before non Yoxheimer and Micayla Catanzariti each S T A T I S T I C S relishing their chance to clang the Victory Bell by scored twice and Birdie Shaw added an empty- the tunnel, while Coach O’Brien ran along the netter to clinch the historic opener. Goaltender PSU NW student section, exchanging “high fives” with the Nicole Paniccia made 31 saves in her debut. Total Plays – Yards 99-443 61-247 rabid fans…Veteran Homecomers never worried State’s 7th-ranked field hockey team de- Rushes – Net Yards 48-161 25-112 about the outcome of Saturday’s game, even when feated California, 6-2, in the annual Pink the Lions trailed by 11 points with only 10 minutes Zone contest. Jenna Chrismer blasted home Passing Yards 282 135 left, because Drum Major Ian Kenney had made two goals, while Ashtin Klingler, Kelsey Amy, Passes (Att-Cmpl-Int) 51-35-0 36-21-0 both his front flips. Plus the student S-Zone was Taylor Herold and Whitney Reddig also tallied. Avg. Gain Per Play 4.5 4.0 decked out in the school’s original pink and black The No. 4 women’s soccer squad raised its First Downs 30 14 colors…The Alumni Band performed in a 50 record to 12-2 (6-0 Big Ten) with a 3-1 victory Yards Lost Rushing 20 8 formation to mark the half-century anniversary of over Bucknell Tuesday and a 5-2 verdict over Intcptn Returns – Yards 0-0 0-0 its inauguration. Both student and alumni bands Indiana Sunday. Maya Hayes tallied twice and Kickoffs – Average 7-61.1 5-57 filled the field in a LIONS formation to conclude Raquel Rodriguez once against the Bison. Kickoff Returns – Avg. 5-18.2 4-14.5 the Homecoming performance. Five former Nit- Freshman Mallory Weber scored two goals and Punt Returns – Avg. 3-3 1-75 tany Lions joined the current mascot in a skit in Christine Nairn, Taylor Schram and Maddy Punts – Average 5-36.8 8-38.4 front of the student section at the end of the first Evans once against the Hoosiers. quarter. A number of Penn State Olympians – past Akil Howard scored in the 83rd minute for Fumbles – Lost 2-1 1-1 and present – were saluted at the end of the third the men’s soccer team to earn a 1-1 tie in the Penalties – Yards 3-30 3-40 quarter…State’s offensive line again controlled overtime game at Michigan. Coach Bob Warm- Sacks by – Yards 1-5 2-16 the line of scrimmage, protecting McGloin and ing’s squad is now 6-3-2, 1-1-1 in the Big Ten. 3rd Dn Conversions 10 of 22 4 of 13 opening holes for Zwinak, Zordich and Belton. Raising its record to 16-1 and 6-0 in the Big 4th Dn Conversions 5 of 6 0 of 1 “The offensive line is definitely gelling,” said se- Ten, the No. 1 women’s volleyball team swept Red Zone Scores – Chances 6-6 3-3 nior center Matt Stankiewitch. “We see progress Northwestern, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23, Friday, then Time of Possession 39:17 20:43 every week.”…The punt coverage team gave rallied to beat Illinois, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 24- Attempts/Yards (Longest) Penn State excellent field position by downing 26, 18-16, Saturday. Katie Slay led with seven Rushing: Zwinak 22/121 (16); Zordich 7/32 (25); Belton 4/12 (10); Alex Butterworth’s first punt on the NW-1. But his blocks and 11 kills on .500 hitting at Northwest- McGloin 7/ (-2) (5). longest punt of the year, which traveled 54 yards ern, while Micha Hancock had 36 assists and Passing No. Com. Int. Yds. TD Lg Sk in the air, was turned into a 75-yard touchdown Dominique Gonzalez had 12 digs. At Illinois, McGloin 51 35 0 282 2 19 2/16 by NW’s Veric Mark, after a coverage breakdown. Ariel Scott had 19 kills, Hancock 53 assists and Receiving: Robinson 9/85 (18); Zwinak 6/52 (16); Mosby-Felder 5/34 It was the first punt return for a TD against the Deja McClendon 15 digs. (15); Carter 4/44 (19); Zordich 4/31 (12); Lehman 3/15 (5); Gilliam Lions since Florida State’s Willie Reed took one 87 For more information and details on all Nittany 1/15; Williams 1/7; James 1/0; Belton 1/(-1). yards in the Orange Bowl after the 2005 season.. . Lion varsity sports go to www.GoPSUsports.com. All Purpose Yards: Zwinak 173; Robinson 85; Zordich 63; Kenney Banners spotted in the student section included 51; Carter 44. “Don’t Stop Billieven,” “Mauti Gras,” “The Incred- PENN STATE EVENTS IN IOWA OCT. 19–20 Kickoff Returns: Kenney 3/51 (22); Della Valle, Amos 1/20. ible Zordich (with a drawing of the Hulk)”, “King enn State fans can get revved up for the game Kickoffs: Ficken 7/61.1 of the HILL” and “Stickin with Ficken.”…Matt Pagainst the Hawkeyes Oct. 20 at the Alumni Punt Returns: Lewis 1/5; Della Valle 2/4 (4). McGloin spread his record 35 pass completions Association’s Penn State Pep Rally in Iowa City. Punts: Butterworth 5/36.8 (54) among 10 different receivers. His 51 attempts tied Look for the tent on the Duane Banks Baseball Fumbles Forced: Hodges 1. Rashard Casey (vs. Iowa in 2000) for second on Field at 960 Stadium Drive on the University of Fumbles Recovered: Davis 1. State’s all-time list. Kerry Collins is first with 55 at Iowa campus. The pep rally will feature the Penn Interceptions: 0 BYU in 1992. McGloin’s five rushing TDs leads the State cheerleaders, the Nittany Lion, the Penn Passes Broken Up: Hodges 2; Hull, Morris, Barnes, Jones, Massaro 1. team this fall and his 12 career 200-yard passing State Pep Band, free refreshments and more. Sacks: Hill 0.5/3, Barnes 0.5/2. games ranks him fourth in PS annals. The tent opens at 4:00 p.m., and the program Tackles for Loss: Hodges 1.5/2; Hill 1/4; Barnes 0.5/2. begins at 5:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. kick off Tackles: .Hodges 11; Mauti 9; Hill 8; Willis, Hull, Carson 5, Morris 4. OTHER SPORTS (all local time). Players: C:Stankiewitch. G:Urschel, Dieffenbach, Shrive, Mangiro. T: enn State’s new women’s varsity ice hockey On Friday night, the Alumni Association and Farrell, Smith, Gress. TE: Carter, Gilliam, Lehman, James, Irvin. WR: Pteam won its inaugural match at Vermont, its Central Iowa Chapter will co-sponsor an alum- Robinson, Kenney, Moseby-Felder, Williams, Zanellato. QB: McGloin. the field hockey squad topped California, the ni and friends mixer at the River City Beefstro Bar FB: Zordich. TB: Belton, Zwinak. DT: Hill, Jones, Terry. DE: Stanley, women’s soccer team beat Bucknell and Indi- & Grille [link to: https://www.facebook.com/ Barnes, Olaniyan, Zettel. ILB: Carson, Hull. OLB: Hodges, Mauti, Hull. ana, while the men’s team played to a 1-1 tie rivercitybeefstro], located at the Holiday Inn CB: Morris, Amos, Davis. Saf: Willis, Obeng-Agyapong, Fagnano, with Michigan, and the women’s volleyball team and Conference Center, in Coralville, Iowa. Free Amos. P: Butterworth. K: Ficken. KS: Howle, Fuhrman. KH: Keiser. remained unbeaten in the Big Ten with road munchies will be provided, as well as entertain- KT: Davis, Obeng-Agyapong, Zordich, Willis, Morris, Lucas, Kenney, wins at Northwestern and Illinois. ment by the cheerleaders, Pep Band and Lion. For Keiser, Day, Dukes, Fagnano, Zwinak, Bars, Yancich, Zerbe, Lewis, Coach Josh Brandwene’s women’s ice more information, visit the Alumni Association’s Kline, Della Valle, Carson, Mauti, Hull, Fuhrman, Gress, Urschel, hockey team defeated Vermont, 5-3, as Shan- website at www.alumni.psu.edu/events. Dieffenbach, Mangiro, Cadogan, Shrive, Carter, Gilliam, 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 13-16