Kent State September 23, 2013

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VOLUME 76 ISSUE 4 Penn State vs. Kent State September 23, 2013

The Letter Penn State football is alive and Follow us on well, declared Coach Bill O’Brien, Twitter and after his charges shut out Kent Check out the State in a driving rainstorm new Football Saturday to complete their non- Letter Blog conference schedule with a 3–1 record. On the ugliest weather day in PSU777 1334 Beaver Stadium during the O’Brien KS 000 0 0 era, the Nittany Lions unleashed a fearsome running combination with redshirt freshman Akeel Lynch and CONTENTS junior Bill Belton dashing downfield for a combined 213 yards on just 27 carries, while redshirt junior Zach Zwinak pounded the Kent State defense The Letter for three touchdowns and 65 more yards. Notes From the Cuff Other Sports The Blue and White defense that had drawn much criticism after last News of Note week’s three-point loss to Central Florida, pitched Penn State’s first shutout Game Photos since the last time the Nittanies played the Golden Flashes three years ago, Statistics and only allowed the visitors to cross midfield twice. The Lions’ 34–0 victory before a rain-soaked but loyal Beaver Stadium PAST ISSUES crowd and a Big Ten television audience was more dominating than their 24–0 win when these teams played on Sept. 18, 2010. View past issues Finding the wet gridiron to their liking, Lynch, Belton and Zwinak rushed for averages of 8.8, 6.9 and 4.3 yards per carry, respectively, as the Lions broke open the game in a second half, during which quarterback Christian Hackenberg completed only two passes for 34 yards, but the stallions galloped 213 yards for two touchdowns and set up steady Sam Ficken for two fourth-quarter field goals. Ficken’s first three-pointer was a 25-yard chip shot, after Lynch carried seven times for 72 yards, including his career-long 43-yard smash through the right side that jump-started the 10-play drive, on which Lynch personally accounted for every inch. Sam’s second point-scoring boot—his 17th in his last 18 attempts—cleared FAN ZONE the crossbar from 54 yards out, making it the longest Penn State field goal in Beaver Stadium history. It tied the one kicked by Herb Menhardt in 1979 Football Schedule on the last play to give the Lions a 9–7 win at North Carolina State, where Team Roster Fran Fisher nearly fell out of the broadcast booth while making the call. GoPSUSports.com Radio/TV Listings Penn State’s All-American soccer player, Chris Bahr, set the Lions’ long Big Ten Football TV distance record by kicking three 55-yard field goals during away games in Schedule the 1975 season. Big Ten Standings Big Ten Schedule and Not all of the 92,371 fans who Results bought tickets to Saturday’s game Penn Staters in the Pros braved the elements to watch State’s most lop-sided triumph in Coach O’Brien’s fledgling career. But those who did were treated to a masterful display by the Lions, whom the headmaster called “a smart, tough football team that can play in all types of weather.” O’Brien praised the hardy supporters, especially the students, who “were there at the end singing the Alma Mater with us—and that’s a great feeling.” “It’s great to have fans like these,” he said. Penn State meteorologist Jon Nese said Saturday’s rainstorm was among the worst for a Beaver Stadium game, rivaling the Navy game in 1972, the Kentucky contest in 1977 and the Rutgers night game in 1993. “I just enjoy going out there and being able to coach with the other coaches and the players,” said a soggy O’Brien after the Lions had finished singing and clanging the victory bell. “It really doesn’t matter what the weather is.” Asked if his team got better today, O’Brien said, “Anytime you win, your team gets better. They gain confidence … and more trust in each other.” “We have a high standard here at Penn State: on offense, defense and special teams. We have a ton of confidence in our players and ourselves, our ability to coach the game. We just want everybody to be on the same page.”

“When you go out and play a Division I football game, you have to be focused, alert. You have to be into the game every single snap,” O’Brien concluded. Penn State’s offense was five-for- five in the Red Zone Saturday with four touchdowns and one field goal. (Ficken’s 54-yarder came from beyond the Red Zone, since the line of scrimmage was the KS-37.) That extended the Lions’ mark to 16-for- 16 this fall with 14 TDs and two FGs. Kent State was 0-for-1 in the Red Zone, after Anthony Melchiori pushed a 31-yard field goal attempt wide right. That Red Zone incursion resulted from a gift and was the only time the Nittanies allowed the visitors closer than the PS-45. Penn State won the coin toss and chose to receive. But the call backfired on the Lions, after they drew an illegal procedure penalty, were stuffed for a one-yard loss on a run and gained only four yards on one completion in two pass attempts. With the ball on the PS-15, Alex Butterworth was forced to punt out of the end zone. Kent State’s punt returner called for a fair catch at the KS-49, but the Lions drew a 15-yard penalty for interfering with the fair catch. And the Flashes started their first possession on the PS- 36. Penn State could not score until the last possession of the first quarter, when the Lions concluded their longest scoring drive of the season by marching 87 yards in nine plays. The touchdown was tallied by Belton, who caught a 15-yard pass from Christian Hackenberg and dove into the front left corner of the end zone. Zwinak got his first TD of the day by blasting two yards to climax a 10-play 82-yard PS drive with 9:26 left in the second quarter. And no one knows who was happier—Zwinak or the fans, who got to sing Sweet Caroline for the first time in two years. Hackenberg had started that possession with a 17-yard pass to Brandon Felder. Belton carried for 42 of the remaining 65 yards on four carries, including one that went for 28 yards, after he started running left, then cutback for a long jaunt around right end. The first half ended with the home team holding a 13 to 5 margin in first downs, a 74–18 yard advantage in rushing and a 142–83 yard gap in passing, but only a 14-0 lead on the scoreboard. The Lions were more dominant in the second half with a 14–4 margin in first downs, a 213–38 yard gap in rushing and a 247–89 yard advantage in total offense, leading to a 20–0 difference on the scoreboard.

Zwinak plunged one yard for a TD to cap a nine-play, 51-yard drive, on which Belton rushed for 33 yards on five carries. That made the score 21–0 at the end of three quarters. Another one-yard touchdown dive by Zwinak and Ficken’s two field goals in the fourth frame set the final score. Lynch accounted for 45 yards on the 83-yard TD drive, lugging the pigskin four times before fumbling. After Angelo Mangiro recovered for the Lions, power runner Zwinak bulled his way for the final five yards. Run-on freshman Von Walker carried for 10 yards to set up Ficken’s record-setting field goal. Lynch’s 123 yards on 14 rushes were a career-high for the redshirt freshman, who was raised in Canada, before crossing to Buffalo to play his final years of high school football then migrating farther south to play college football. Belton, who was a high school quarterback in New Jersey, proved again the wisdom of his conversion to running back by gaining 93 yards on just 13 carries. Overall, five Lion runners averaged 5.4 yards per carry. QB Hackenberg had some troubles with the slippery football, fumbling one pass attempt and tossing a few short of receivers or over their heads, in addition to drilling some too hard for the receivers to hang onto the wet ball. His one interception was immediately countered by senior safety Ryan Keiser, who intercepted a Kent State pass on the very next play. All in all, the freshman phenom completed only 13 of a career-high 35 tosses for 176 yards and one TD. Thereby simply proving he really is human, after amazing fans with a 72 percent completion rate on his first 92 passes for 851 yards and four touchdowns and winning Freshman of the Week honors from the Big Ten twice in his inaugural three games. Hack’s completions Saturday were spread among seven receivers, led by Allen Robinson with three catches for 43 yards—all in the first quarter. Brandon Felder grabbed three for 35 yards and Jesse James three for 20. Tight ends Kyle Carter and Adam Breneman each caught one pass, but Carter’s went for 29 yards and Breneman’s for 27. Middle linebacker Glenn Carson led the resurgent defense with seven tackles including two for losses. Deion Barnes tied his career-high with six, including half a sack for a three-yard loss, while Malcolm Willis and Trevor Williams had five each. Defensive tackle Kyle Baublitz posted his first career sack for a six-yard loss, and Jordan Lucas shared the sack with Barnes. Lucas also forced a fumble and broke up four passes. Keiser nabbed his first career interception, almost had two others, and wound up with three pass breakups in addition to four tackles, one of which was for a two- yard loss. Punter Anthony Melchiori was a busy man for Kent State, booting the ball 10 times, but had a sterling 46.5 average and dropped four of them inside the PS-20. Darius Polk returned five kickoffs for 111 yards with a long of 35 for the Golden Flashes. Kent State, which finished the 2012 season ranked No. 25 in the country, severely missed their injured star Dri Archer, who led the team in rushing, receiving and kick returning last year. The Lions have a bye week before starting their Big Ten season at Indiana Oct. 5, and Coach O’Brien said, “It comes at the right time for us.” “We can get healed up, and we can also self-scout and try to improve as a football team.” After the conference opener against the high-scoring Hoosiers in Bloomington, the Lions return to meet Michigan in the Homecoming matchup, Oct. 12. But they will have to share the limelight that weekend with Penn State’s varsity hockey team, which will play its inaugural game in the spectacular new Pegula Ice Arena across University Drive from the Bryce Jordan Center at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, immediately following the annual Homecoming Parade across campus and through downtown State College. Enthusiasm is running rampant for State’s newest varsity team, and the historic opening contest against Army will be televised by the Big Ten Network to 75 million homes throughout the United States and Canada. At least seven other Nittany Lion home and away hockey matches will be carried by the BTN, and other appearances will be on ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and Fox Sports Detroit Plus. This will be the first year for the Big Ten hockey conference, since Penn State gave the league its required six teams. Heretofore Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State have been playing in other leagues. Lion Coach Guy Gadowsky has nine newcomers joining 18 returning letterwinners from last year’s independent team, including players who produced 94 percent of the squad’s scoring. The Penn State roster also boasts four NHL draft picks—Max Gardiner, Patrick Koudys, Eamon McAdam and Mike Williamson. For the Glory,

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VOLUME 76 ISSUE 4 Penn State vs. Kent State September 23, 2013

Notes From the Cuff Despite the forecast for heavy rain during the Kent Follow us on State game, the usual gathering of student fans Twitter and camped out Friday night at Nittanyville outside the Check out the southeast entrance to Beaver Stadium, so they new Football could be first through the gates and get the prime Letter Blog seats Saturday afternoon … Student fans from all Penn State campuses joined the crowd for All-University Day and displayed their PSU 7 7 7 13 34 banners on the field at halftime … KS 000 0 0 Blue rain ponchos helped to fulfill the mandate for a BlueOut Saturday to support the Pennsylvania CONTENTS Coalition Against Rape … The Letter Penn State now has a 4–0 record vs. Kent State and a 21–3 mark against Notes From the Cuff current Mid-American Conference teams. The Lions have held the Golden Other Sports Flashes scoreless through 11 consecutive quarters since the first quarter of News of Note the game against Kent State in 2003 … Game Photos Statistics The Flashes’ nine first downs were the fewest allowed by a Penn State defense in two years …

PAST ISSUES State’s 2013 defense has limited three of its four opponents to less than 72 yards rushing, while the Lion offense Saturday ran for 287—its highest View past issues total since gaining 338 at Illinois in 2009 … Prior to Sam Ficken’s 54-yard boot Saturday, the longest field goals by Lions in Beaver Stadium were 53 yards by Massimo Manca against Notre Dame in 1985 and Kevin Kelly against Iowa in 2007. The longest three- pointer in Beaver Stadium history was 57 yards by Ohio University’s Gary Homer in 1973 … Zach Zwinak became the first Nittany Lion to post back-to-back three- touchdown games since Evan Royster did it against Coastal Carolina and Oregon State in the first two games of 2008 … Freshman Akeel Lynch had his second career 100-yard rushing game—the fourth this season for the Lions, since Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak have FAN ZONE each had one …

Football Schedule Zwinak leads all rushers with 297 yards and a 4.4 average per carry in Team Roster 2013, while Lynch is second with 263 yards and an 8.2 average, followed GoPSUSports.com by Belton with 253 and 7.7 … Radio/TV Listings Coach O’Brien said, “I believe in using a lot of backs … Big Ten Football TV Schedule We think that all three of these guys are good football players … Big Ten Standings We think all three deserve to play, so we rotate them in there.” … Big Ten Schedule and Adam Breneman’s 27-yard catch was a career-long for the freshman … Results Penn Staters in the Pros Has anyone noticed State’s two freshmen run-on quarterbacks, D.J. Crook and Austin Whipple working along the sidelines, wearing ear phones and sending signals to Christian Hackenberg, while keeping current with the play on the field? … When asked about Hackenberg’s performance Saturday, Coach O’Brien said, “I think he’s probably a little frustrated tonight, but that’s okay. He’ll get better, and you’ll see improvement as we go along … I’m sure just as I want a few play calls back, he wants a few throws back.” … Asked to assess the play of senior safety Ryan Keiser, O’Brien said, “He did a heckuva job … He’s a very mature guy. He’s married. He has a great perspective on life, and he’s a great Penn State kid … Asked about defensive ends sometimes standing up and playing between the tackles, O’Brien said, “We’re a multiple defense, and we’ll keep trying to mix it up and try to give people different pictures.” He said, “John (Butler) does a great job. He’s a very creative guy along with that staff, Larry (Johnson), Ron (Vanderlinden) and Anthony Midgett.” … A large number of Penn State players have been nominated to Watch Lists for major end-of-the-season national honors, including Glenn Carson, Butkus Award; DaQuan Jones, Outland Trophy; Kyle Carter, John Mackay Award; Allen Robinson, Biletnikoff Award; Deion Barnes, Bednarik and Nagurski Awards; Zach Zwinak, Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards; and John Urschel, Rotary Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy and Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award … For the first time in memory, Penn State’s Athletic Department, which receives no tuition or tax-payer dollars, reported a $6.15 million operating loss last year because of the $60 million NCAA fine, loss of bowl revenue, severance pay to previous football staff, slight declines in attendance and gifts to the Nittany Lion Club, and the addition of men’s and women’s varsity hockey teams. Intercollegiate Athletics has 810 athletes in 31 varsity sports (15 men’s and 14 women’s), 514 of which receive scholarship aid, plus 68 club sports with hundreds of students and thousands of intramural participants, campus fitness facilities, and a number of Commonwealth Campus teams … Penn State fans attending the Indiana game in Bloomington, Oct. 5, can attend the Friday night gathering sponsored by the Central Indiana Chapter and the Alumni Association at the KRC Banquet Hall, 216 S. College Ave. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., as well as the pre-game pep rally with the Nittany Lion, cheerleaders and Pep Band, sponsored by the Alumni Association under a big tent in Space 2–19 between the Mellencamp Pavilion and the Orange Parking Lot east of Memorial Stadium. The tent opens three hours before kickoff with refreshments, and the program begins two hours before kickoff … Kickoff and television coverage of the game at Indiana should be announced Monday, Sept. 23.

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VOLUME 76 ISSUE 4 Penn State vs. Kent State September 23, 2013

News of Note RALLY AWAY AT THE INDIANA GAME OCT. 4–5 Follow us on Penn State fans can get revved up for the games against the Hoosiers and Twitter and the Buckeyes at the Alumni Association’s Penn State Pep Rallies, featuring Check out the the Penn State cheerleaders, the Nittany Lion, the Penn State Pep Band, new Football free refreshments and more. Alumni and friends can also gather together Letter Blog the evening before at the Friday night mixers, which are co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and local chapters. Indiana events: Meet Friday, Oct. 4, from 7:00–11:00 p.m. at the KRC PSU 7 7 7 13 34 banquet hall, 216 S. College Avenue, in Bloomington. This free event KS 000 0 0 includes appetizers and refreshments, a cash bar and plenty of free parking. No prior registration is required. For more information, visit the CONTENTS Central Indiana Chapter website.

The Letter On game day, Oct. 5, look for the large tent in space 2–19, between the Notes From the Cuff Mellencamp Pavilion and the Orange Parking Lot, in Bloomington, Ind. The Other Sports tent opens three hours prior to kick time and the event begins two hours News of Note before. Click here for an Indiana University campus map and more info. Game Photos Ohio events: Meet Friday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Quaker Steak & Lube, Statistics 8500 Lyra Drive, in Columbus. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Central Ohio Chapter’s local scholarship fund and another local charity. PAST ISSUES Cost: $20 for adults if registering in advance by Oct. 18; $25 for adults at the door; $15 for kids ages 5–12; and free for children under five. The View past issues event features the Nittany Lion and the Penn State cheerleaders, a two- hour buffet, a cash bar, door prizes, and a silent auction. For more information and to register, visit the Central Ohio Chapter website. On game day, Oct. 26, meet Penn Staters inside The Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, in Columbus. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. The pep rally location opens at 5:00 p.m. and the program begins at 6:00 p.m. Click here for an Ohio State map and more info. HUDDLE WITH THE FACULTY Alumni and friends can catch a quick breakfast and some food for thought at “Huddle with the Faculty,” the popular free lecture series each home football Saturday at The Nittany Lion Inn. The next presentations in the 21st annual Huddle series are: FAN ZONE Oct. 12 (Michigan/Homecoming): “Forever Young: The Aging Athlete” Football Schedule featuring Matthew Silvis ’02, associate professor in family and community Team Roster medicine and orthopedics and rehabilitation at the Penn State College of GoPSUSports.com Medicine and medical director for primary care sports medicine at the Penn Radio/TV Listings State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Big Ten Football TV Schedule Exercise is often not emphasized in conversations between aging patients Big Ten Standings and their health care providers. However, there are numerous benefits to Big Ten Schedule and exercise for persons of all ages. This talk focuses on the benefits of Results exercise throughout life and provides common exercise recommendations Penn Staters in the Pros for older adults. Nov. 2 (Illinois): “Educating Global Citizens: A Penn State Model,” featuring Verónica Montecinos, professor of sociology at Penn State Greater Allegheny Experimenting with various models of global education is crucial to satisfy the high demand generated in recent decades. This talk will focus on a successful model of curriculum internationalization, which was developed at Penn State Greater Allegheny and has the potential for being adopted at other educational institutions. 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 Penn State Alumni Association, is sponsored by The Village at Penn State and supported by the The Nittany Lion Inn and Penn State Press. ALUMNI ZONE HOMECOMING TAILGATE Before the big Homecoming game against Michigan Oct. 12, have fun without lifting a finger. Tailgate during the pre-game hours by rounding up the whole family and heading over to the Alumni Zone tailgate in the Indoor Multi-Sport Facility, near the BJC. Get pumped up for the big game with hundreds of other alumni and fans. Enjoy a complete tailgate buffet, with old favorites like grilled stickies and Berkey Creamery ice cream, along with cold beer, wine and soft drinks. Meet some Penn State celebrities—including John Amaechi ’94, this year’s Homecoming grand marshal and Penn State and NBA basketball star; head coaches Guy Gadowsky (men’s hockey), Russ Rose (women’s volleyball), Mark Pavlik (men’s volleyball) and Char Morett (field hockey); and more. Plus get a free T-shirt, play games, win prizes and revel in entertainment by the Alumni Blue Band, alumni majorettes and alumni Lionettes. The Alumni Zone fun kicks off before the game at 11:00 a.m. inside the Multi-Sport Facility, just south of the Bryce Jordan Center. Costs are: $37 Alumni Association members, $50 non-members and $15 children (5 and under free). Register now. 2013 HOMECOMING COOKBOOK For the first time in several years, the Homecoming Committee—comprised of Penn State students—is reviving an old tradition by creating a 2013 Homecoming Cookbook filled with Penn Staters’ favorite tailgate and fall- themed recipes. It’s not too late to submit your own beloved recipe. The cookbook will be available beginning Oct. 5 both in print and digitally, at many Homecoming events and at the Homecoming online store. TAILGREAT 2013 Penn State fans looking for a break from traditional tailgating can head to the Bryce Jordan Center for The Blue Band TailGreat Show, which offers free fun for families and fans of all ages. Get pumped up for football with a pre-game performance by the Blue Band, cheerleaders, Lionettes dance team, Nittany Lion and more. Activities throughout the season will be available on the BJC concourse, including free airbrush tattoos, spirit hairstyles, football player cards, photos with cheerleaders and games with prizes. The BJC opens three hours before kickoff, and the Blue Band performance starts two hours before kick and lasts about one hour. FOOTBALL SHOW WITH COACH O’BRIEN ON THURSDAYS “The Penn State Football Show,” a one-hour call-in program that takes place at Damon’s Grill in State College every Thursday throughout football season, is being carried on nearly 40 radio stations in five states and live on gopsusports.com. The program begins at 6:05 p.m. and features football Coach Bill O'Brien, assistant coaches and members of the football team answering questions from fans live at Damon's. Fans can watch in person, participate online or call in at 800-52-LIONS (525-4667) to ask questions. Or submit ahead of time at www.GoPSUsports.com/askthecoach.

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