Ohio State October 27, 2014

VOLUME 77 ISSUE 7 Penn State vs. Ohio State October 27, 2014

The Letter Just a few days before Halloween, a Follow us on sold-out Beaver Stadium primetime Twitter and white out crowd was treated to a Check out the thrilling football finish, as the new Football Nittany Lions tricked 13th-ranked Letter Blog Ohio State with a stunning second- half comeback, before bowing in overtime, 31–24. PSU 0 0 7 10 7 24 “There are no moral victories at OSU 7 10 0 0 14 31 Penn State,” Coach James Franklin told the media in his post-game CONTENTS appearance. And the players smarted under the sting of defeat, after tasting what might have been the The Letter Big Ten upset of the year. Notes from the Cuff Other Sports But despite their third straight loss, after four season-opening wins, the News of Note two-touchdown underdog Nittany Lions made a statement before an ABC Game Photos Statistics television audience that this sanction-hampered team is not going to give up regardless of the profile of the opponent. At the same time, they served notice to the remaining five teams on their PAST ISSUES schedule that they are improving and intend to compete for a winning

View past issues record and a bowl bid, after two years of uninterrupted Christmas vacations. There was no question about which was the more talented team on the field Saturday night. But there was also no question about which team played with the most heart. The 4–3 Lions, who have just one victory in four Big Ten outings, scared the life out of the Ohio State fans, who were sprinkled like red freckles in the white face of Beaver Stadium. FAN ZONE They feared a second blemish on the record of their now 6–1 Buckeyes, Football Schedule who remain undefeated in three conference contests. That could have Team Roster squashed the national playoff hopes of Coach Urban Meyer and his GoPSUSports.com charges, who own the nation’s longest active streak of 11 consecutive road Radio/TV Listings victories and are only one win shy of the Big Ten record of 20 straight Big Ten Football TV conference regular season wins set by the 2005–07 Buckeyes. Schedule Big Ten Standings After Ohio State took advantage of miscues by the Lion offense and Big Ten Schedule and Results punters to score on two short touchdown drives plus a 49-yard field goal, Penn Staters in the Pros the Lions could easily have folded their tents at halftime and crept silently into the night. For advertising info, However, a stalwart Lion defense contact: Angelo Scialfa not only kept the Bucks at bay in 609-259-1910 the second half but also inspired [email protected] the offense, igniting the rally with a 40-yard pick-six by defensive tackle Anthony Zettel on the third play of the third quarter. It was the third career interception and first-ever touchdown by the fiery Michigan native and the turning point of Saturday night’s game. With the wildly enthusiastic white- clad crowd urging them on, the Lions reversed the score by winning the second half, 17–0, and forcing the Buckeyes into their first overtime contest of the year.

State’s defenders held the high- scoring visitors 39 points below their scoring average of 56 points in regulation time and less than half their average of 533.8 yards per game. At the same time, Penn State’s offense, which had been limited to a total of 78 yards passing and running in the first 30 minutes, erupted for 157 yards through the air after intermission. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg completed 21 of 33 attempts, leading to his unit’s first 10 points, after a string of four scoreless quarters. The first seven of those points were set up by Mike Hull’s fourth quarter interception of J.T. Barrett and 12- yard return to the OS-45. Sophomore tailback Akeel Lynch accounted for 12 yards on two rushes and freshman wide receiver Saed Blacknall accounted for 32 on three catches of Hackenberg aerials, climaxing with a magnificent 24-yard jump-ball catch over a Buckeye defender in the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown. With less than three minutes remaining, State mimicked its last-minute heroics of the UCF and Rutgers games, driving 77 yards in 19 plays, consuming all but nine ticks of the clock and culminating in Sam Ficken’s 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 17. The over-zealous student section began the well-known repetitive soccer cheer of “I believe that we will win.” And certainly all Michigan State fans jumped on the bandwagon with Penn State rooters. In the first overtime, Hamilton snagged an 18-yard sideline pass from Hackenberg then outleaped the Scarlet and Grey secondary to haul in a 12 yarder at the two-yard line. Two plays later, Bill Belton lined up in the wildcat formation, took a direct snap, faked a handoff to Lynch and slashed through the left side for a touchdown.

J.T. Barrett’s beautiful fake handoff to Ezekiel Elliott and 17-yard run around left end set up his five-yard burst up the middle for Ohio State’s tying touchdown. Mike Hull was called for an unexplained 15-yard penalty for an illegal attempt to block the extra point kick, which was then inexplicably assessed on the Buckeyes’ possession to start the second overtime—thus giving them a greatly shortened distance from which to score their second OT TD on rushes by Elliott and Barrett. Penn State’s ensuing possession started at the 25-yard line and ended on a fourth-and-five play, when defensive end Joey Bosa blasted through the line and knocked Lynch into Hackenberg’s legs for the fifth and game- winning sack of the Lion QB. The usual traffic jam following a night game was magnified by the fact that hardly any of the 107,895 ticket holders comprising the largest crowd in Beaver Stadium since the 2011 Nebraska game left before the visitors tallied two touchdowns to the home team’s one in overtime. The annual Penn State White Out lived up to previous spectacles, and the Alma Mater and “We Are …” shouts rang out as lustily as when the Lions win. Despite losing the battle in the second overtime, Penn State nonetheless got off to a good start on the second half of its season, which will continue unabated every Saturday in November. The Big Ten scheduling computer deprived Penn State fans of any home games in the prime football month of October until its last Saturday. But the weather gods made up for it by providing a magnificent sunny and warm autumn weekend in Happy Valley that was filled with Friday night activities, including successful soccer, ice hockey and volleyball contests and this year’s Rally in the Valley in Rec Hall. The 8:14 p.m. Saturday kickoff for ABC gave returning alums plenty of time to enjoy the past-peak but still colorful campus trees and shrubs or to join the festive fans strolling along College Avenue and signing the huge 409 poster honoring the memory of beloved Coach Joe Paterno. With former Penn State All-America linebacker Shane Conlan—State’s newest selection for the College Football Hall of Fame—looking on, Mike Hull’s personal and game-high 19 tackles maintained his standing upon the top of the Big Ten tackle ladder at 11.9 stops per contest. His Saturday total was the most for any Penn State defender since Gerald Hodges had an identical 19 against Illinois in 2011. DaeSean Hamilton’s 14 catches broke the Penn State record set by Freddie Scott, when he grabbed 13 against Wisconsin in 1995. Hamilton’s 126 yards gave him his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season and raised his total to 686—just six short of Deon Butler’s freshman season record. Christian Hackenberg’s 224 passing yards on 31 completions kept him in first place among Big Ten passers with 165 completions and an average of 265.9 yards per game. A comparison of the 31–24 overtime loss with last year’s 63–14 drubbing by the Buckeyes, emphasized how much more improvement the Lions made during their second bye week this season than they did in the first bye week before their 18–13 loss at 3–5 Michigan on Oct. 11. “We’re that close, we really are,” Coach Franklin told the media. “I truly believe with a little bit of patience, a great attitude and tremendous work ethic, we’ll get where we want to go.” He said, “We have an issue punting the ball,” and added that “we have a lot of things we need to correct, but we’re making progress.” “These guys believe in themselves and they believe in the program,” Franklin claimed. Next week, Penn State entertains new Big Ten foe Maryland for the first time since 1992 in a contest that will kick off at noon and be televised by ESPN2. For the Glory,

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Notes from the Cuff Todd Blackledge, the quarterback who led Follow us on Penn State to its first national Twitter and championship in 1982 and now a successful Check out the ABC color commentator and analyst, was new Football on the crew working the OSU–PSU game. A Letter Blog loyal Penn Stater, Blackledge took his crew mates, Brad Nessler and Holly Rowe, on a hike Saturday morning to the top of Mount PSU 0 0 7 10 7 24 Nittany, where he said he showed them the OSU 7 10 0 0 14 31 very best view of the Penn State campus and Beaver Stadium … Blue Band Drum Major Christopher Siergiej dazzled fans with a new back CONTENTS flip in the end zone before dashing to the middle of the field in front of the band to do his patented front flip, then added a new roundoff back flip, The Letter before he finished with his patented split and salute. All while wearing his Notes from the Cuff huge white drum major’s hat, of course! … Other Sports News of Note Saturday’s battle with highly-rated Ohio State got off to an inauspicious Game Photos start for the Lions. Penn State received the opening kickoff and senior Statistics tailback Zach Zwinak, a new starter on the Lions’ receiving team, did what he was inserted to do. He threw a good block to open a hole for kick returner Grant Haley. But Haley slipped to the ground at the PS-16, as he PAST ISSUES made a cut through the opening. Zwinak also lay on the ground where he

View past issues made his block and several minutes later was carted off with a leg injury that indefinitely eliminated Penn State’s leading rusher of the last two years … Starting deep in his own territory, Christian Hackenberg completed his first pass to Bill Belton for 10 yards and his second to DaeSean Hamilton for another 10. But his third toss hit the ground short of Matt Zanellato and in front of diving Buckeye safety Vonn Bell. Officials on the field ruled that Bell caught the ball for an interception. Television replays clearly showed FAN ZONE that the ball hit the ground before Vonn cradled it in his hands. But a review of the play let it stand as called because, according to a pool Football Schedule reporter, the referee said, “The play technically was not thoroughly Team Roster reviewed due to some technical difficulties with the equipment.” Asked if GoPSUSports.com the in-house television feed could not be used as a back-up to look at the Radio/TV Listings play, the referee answered, “The replay rules are clear that we have to use Big Ten Football TV Schedule the equipment provided.” … Big Ten Standings The result was that Ohio State got the ball on the PS-39 and only needed a Big Ten Schedule and short drive to score the game’s first touchdown in the fourth minute, Results getting an early advantage over the underdog home team … Penn Staters in the Pros When Penn State’s defense first took the field, true freshman Marcus Allen was starting at safety along with Adrian Amos. Senior Ryan Keiser, a two- For advertising info, year starter and the player who calls the signals for the secondary, was contact: Angelo Scialfa unable to play because of what Coach Franklin said was a “freakish thing” 609-259-1910 that happened at Thursday’s practice. (Allen did, however, play very well, [email protected] finishing third on the team with 11 tackles and two pass break-ups on long throws by Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett.) … Early in the second quarter, the Penn State defense stopped Ohio State’s third possession on the PS-23, after a nine-yard sack by Deion Barnes. OSU kicker Sean Nurenberger then booted a 49-yard field goal. Numerous press box observers claimed the game clock ran out several seconds before the ball was snapped, which should have caused a five-yard delay of game penalty, forcing a 54-yard attempt. But officials did not see what the press box observers claimed they saw … Asked about the calls after the game, Coach Franklin said, “I know you guys would love for me to give you a sound bite that not only would sell papers but would get me a big fine, but I’m not going to do it. I’m going to focus on the things that I can control, which are our players, our coaches, our program and loving these kids.” … Only four seniors were among the 22 starters on both sides of the line for Penn State Saturday—RB Bill Belton, Saf Adrian Amos, LB Mike Hull and DE C.J. Olaniyan … Five of Penn State’s last seven Big Ten home games have gone into overtime, starting with the 2012 Senior Day win over Wisconsin … The Nittany Lions overall record in overtime games is 5–5. They lost their first three, then won five straight (through Michigan in 2013) before losing their last two (Nebraska in 2013 and Ohio State in 2014) … Ohio State is 8–2 all-time in OT, including 3–2 on the road. Urban Meyer is 7–0 in OT, 3–0 at Ohio State … Penn State held OSU to its season low 256 yards in regulation and 293 including OT—still 34 below its previous low of 327 in a loss to Virginia Tech in a regulation game … The Lions now rank third in the nation in rush defense at 83.4 yards per game; seventh in total defense at 284.7 ypg; and ninth in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game) … Penn State outpassed the Buckeyes 224 to 74, but trailed in rushing yards, 219 to 16, State’s lowest rushing total since being held to minus 14 by Michigan in 2006 … Average attendance in Beaver Stadium this fall is 101,829, an increase of 5,336 over the average for the first four home games in 2013 … DaeSean Hamilton’s 14 catches were the most by a Big Ten player this fall. He continues to lead the Big Ten and ranks No. 8 nationally at 8.1 catches per game … While Todd Blackledge watched from the TV booth, Christian Hackenberg moved past him into eighth place on State’s career passing yardage chart. Hack’s 4,816 yards are four more than Blackledge’s. Hack’s 14th 200-yard passing game tied him for fourth place with Daryll Clark. His 31 completions Saturday moved him past Kerry Collins, Chuck Fusina and Wally Richardson into sixth place with 396 total. His 26 touchdown passes tie him for 11th place with John Hufnagel … Anthony Zettel’s pick-six was the first for a Penn Stater since NaVorro Bowman took one 73 yards against Indiana in 2009. It was State’s first defensive score since Mike Hull returned a fumble 74 yards against Navy in 2012 … Marcus Allen was the 10th Nittany Lion to make his first start this season. He posted a career-high 11 tackles. LB Brandon Bell had a career-high 13. LB Nyeem Wartman raised his career-high to nine, as did DE C.J. Olaniyan … The volunteers who serve on the Alumni Association’s Alumni Council and spent two days in meetings Thursday and Friday working on the programs and services provided by the world’s largest dues-paying alumni association were honored on the field at halftime. During their meetings, they heard about a new million dollar gift—the Stengel Family Endowment for Excellence in Volunteer Leadership Programs—established by Jim and Kathleen Stengel to fund innovative programs designed to help the Alumni Association’s volunteer leaders become even more effective in their roles … The Lion Ambassadors will be giving free half-hour Lantern Tours on Penn State history, starting at Old Main and covering central campus next Friday Oct. 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All those interested are welcome.

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News of Note HUDDLE WITH THE FACULTY Follow us on Alumni and friends can catch light refreshments and some food for thought Twitter and at “Huddle with the Faculty,” the popular free lecture series hosted by the Check out the Penn State Alumni Association each home football Saturday at The Nittany new Football Lion Inn. Letter Blog The next two presentations in the 22nd annual Huddle series are: Nov. 1 (Maryland): “Touring America’s Religious Landscape,” featuring Roger Finke, professor of PSU 0 0 7 10 7 24 OSU 7 10 0 0 14 31 sociology and religious studies Review the rich pluralism of American religions and CONTENTS how their unique histories are retold. The talk will focus on a variety of Christian groups, including a The Letter small African-American Pentecostal church in Notes from the Cuff Memphis, Joel Osteen’s mega-church in Houston, Other Sports and a Cowboy Church in western Texas. In addition, News of Note Finke will share insights regarding trips to the Game Photos largest mosque in America, a small Buddhist temple Statistics in San Francisco, and a synagogue in Brooklyn. Roger Finke’s two most recent books are: The Price of Freedom Denied: PAST ISSUES Religious Persecution and Violence, with Brian Grim (Cambridge University Press, 2011), and Places of Faith: A Road Trip Across America’s Religious View past issues Landscape, with Christopher P. Scheitle (Oxford University Press, 2012). As the founder and director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, he works with students and colleagues to provide global access to the most comprehensive data on religion. Nov. 15 (Temple): “Personalized Medicine: A Look Into the Future,” featuring Marylyn D. Ritchie, director of the Center for Systems Genomics; associate professor of biochemistry and molecular FAN ZONE biology Football Schedule Our ability to survey DNA variation in an individual’s Team Roster genetic makeup has excelled in tremendous ways GoPSUSports.com over the past decade. With these technological Radio/TV Listings advances, we have learned a great deal about how Big Ten Football TV Schedule our DNA contributes to our health and disease Big Ten Standings states. Find out how genetic variation at the DNA Big Ten Schedule and level may contribute to drug treatment response, as Results pharmacogenomics has emerged as an important component of medical Penn Staters in the Pros care and research. For advertising info, Marylyn Ritchie is a statistical and computational geneticist with a focus on contact: Angelo Scialfa understanding genetic architecture of complex human disease. She has 609-259-1910 expertise in developing novel bioinformatics tools for complex analysis of [email protected] big data in genetics, genomics, and clinical databases, in particular in the area of pharmacogenomics, and has received several awards and honors. All “Huddle with the Faculty” programs start promptly at 9:00 a.m. and include free parking at the Nittany Parking Deck. The Huddle series, presented by the Alumni Association, is sponsored by The Village at Penn State and supported by The Nittany Lion Inn and Penn State Press. RALLY AWAY AT THE INDIANA GAME, Nov. 8 Penn State travels to Bloomington, Ind., Nov. 8, when the Nittany Lions battle the Hoosiers. Join other Penn Staters the weekend of the game to show your Penn State pride and spirit at events sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the local chapter. Friday Night Mixer: Meet at 6:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7, at the KRC Banquet Hall, 5660 W. State Road 46, in downtown Bloomington. Cost is $10 for Central Indiana chapter members, and $20 for non-members. Admission can be paid at the door, and proceeds benefit the Central Indiana Chapter Scholarship Fund. For more information, email chapter vice president Dan Hall at [email protected]. Game-day Pep Rally: Meet Penn Staters at Space 2-20, across from Bart Kaufmann Field, Indiana’s new baseball facility, located near Memorial Stadium. Note: This is a different location than previously advertised. Kickoff is TBA, with the pep rally tent opening three hours before kickoff, and the program beginning two hours prior to kickoff. The pep rally features the Penn State Pep Band, Nittany Lion, cheerleaders, some rallying words, and free refreshments. Click here for more information related to game day at Indiana, including parking maps, stadium restrictions and tailgating. FANS RESPOND TO ‘SEATS FOR SOLDIERS’ PROGRAM Penn State fans have purchased nearly 5,000 tickets for the “Seats For Soldiers” program. The tickets will be donated to military personnel and their families for the Nov. 15 home game against Temple. Fans interested in buying tickets can call 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office, weekdays from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. To read the GoPSUsports.com story, click here. LION AMBASSADORS TO HOST LANTERN TOURS Step back in time with a Lantern Tour given by the Penn State Alumni Association’s Lion Ambassadors in the evening hours of Friday, Oct. 31, and get a feel for what the University was like in its vivid past. The tours depart from Old Main between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tours are free and open to the public, and there’s no need to register—just show up during the two- hour window—and tour groups will be formed as visitors arrive. To read an AlumnInsider story on the Lantern Tours, click here. REVISED UNIVERSITY BAG POLICY FOR ATHLETIC EVENTS Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics is advising fans to review the University’s bag policy prior to attending athletic events during the 2014 –15 competitive season. The University policy has undergone several revisions, many of which have changed what items are allowed in each of Penn State’s Athletics facilities. To read the GoPSUsports.com story, click here.

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