URL:http://www.alumni.psu.edu/fbl Username: psualum Password: weare Sept. 4, 2012 * Vol. 75, No. 1 ONE ne team of dedicated players who chose to Oremain Nittany Lions, because they are com- mitted to Penn State. One Beaver Stadium crowd showing its support of these Loyal Lions, who have been deprived of ever having a chance to play for a division or conference championship or in any bowl game -- through no fault of their own. One Nittany Nation determined to stand up for its university, which remains one of the best educational institutions in the world -- graduat- ing students who are still the most sought after by recruiters and continue to join the band of passionate alumni who contribute immeasur- ably to American society. One Central Pennsylvania community stand- ing together and moving forward despite the tumult of the past year. All of these became One Singular Sensation Saturday and ushered in a new era for Penn State. A NEW ERA of Penn State football begins as Coach Bill O’Brien leads the team out of the tunnel through the honor Yes, the Nittany Lions lost the football game line formed by the Penn State Blue Band plus 600 student-athletes from 30 other varsity teams, 200 football lettermen to an excellent Ohio team, 24-14, on a steamy hot and 11 Penn State college deans. afternoon in Beaver Stadium. But the weekend represented so much more. The crowds at the Football Eve pep rally, and tunnel. Interestingly, he played for and gradu- State’s senior QB had completed 13 of 17 passes in Jeffrey Field and Rec Hall Friday, throughout ated from the same school as his predecessor, for 130 yards, and the Lions posted 10 first downs the tailgate areas and inside the stadium Satur- who built the foundation of the program he to the visitors’ 2. day and strolling across the beautiful campus has inherited. For the first time in 62 years Joe But the first chink in Penn State’s game plan Sunday exemplified the Pride, Spirit and Unity Paterno was not patrolling the sideline as a came just three minutes later, when pre-season of Penn Staters around this planet, the resilience member of the coaching staff. But his widow, All-America linebacker Gerald Hodges, who was of a wounded community and the resolve of the Sue, and other members of his family were in being given a try as a kick returner, fumbled a Penn State Family to stand strong in its fidelity the stadium rooting for the Lions, because their punt on the PS-13. to Dear Old State. support of Penn State has never wavered. The Lion defense rose up to stop the Bobcats Together We Are One – Moving Forward With the new head coach calling the plays at the PS-5, but OU’s All-Conference kicker, Matt was the theme. himself, the Nittany Lions excited the fans with Weller, booted a chip-shot field goal for the visi- A ring of joined hands around the stadium a new style of offense, based heavily on a short tors’ only points of the half. before the gates opened expressed support to all passing game that integrates tight ends more In the second quarter, State’s offense began victims of abuse and violence, as did a silent mo- fully into the schemes. to slow down, but true freshman linebacker ment of reflection inside before kickoff. A blue Fans cheered lustily as the home team moved Nyeem Wartman gave the Lions new life, when ribbon next to the American flag on the back crisply down the field on the passes from Matt he crashed off the end to block a punt at the OH- of Penn State’s helmets reinforced that support. McGloin to several little known receivers and even 18. A minute later McGloin passed to walk-on More than 600 Penn State student-athletes converted a 4th & 2 pass at midfield. But the drive tight end Matt Lehman, who charged down the from 30 other varsity teams carried banners into came to a premature end, when new tailback, right sideline, blasting through two defenders the honor line welcoming the loyal football play- Bill Belton, fumbled on a run up the middle to and reaching the ball across the goal line before ers on their entrance. The line was joined by 200 the OH-21, well within field goal range at least. being knocked out of bounds. former football lettermen and deans from 11 of Later in the quarter, McGloin again moved Penn State walked into the locker room with Penn State’s academic colleges. the Lions briskly toward the raucous students a 14-3 halftime lead. But the acute observer noted Some things were new -- such as the majority in the south end zone, this time climaxing an that in the second period Ohio had outgained of the coaching staff and the names on the backs 80-yard march with a 6-yard touchdown pass the home team 146 to 64 yards and replicated the of the players jerseys. But most of the traditions to Belton. And fans were seeing visions of an of- Lions’ first quarter time of possession advantage, remained -- such as the Drum Major’s front flips, fensive Nirvana, as Penn State closed out the first even though it fell four points farther behind in the Blue Band’s signature Floating Lions drill quarter of the new era with a 173 to 52 advantage the score. and the hard-nosed but sportsmanlike football in total offense, a 10:19 to 4:41 margin in time of The second half was a different page in Penn played on the gridiron. possession and a 7 to 0 edge on the scoreboard. State’s next chapter. For the first time in 47 years a new head Showing how a veteran team runs the up- coach, Bill O’Brien, led the Lions out of the PENN STATE 7 7 0 0 14 tempo short-pass offense that Bill O’Brien is OHIO 0 3 14 7 24 Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g R E C A P 1st Quarter PS: Belton 6-yd pass from McGloin caps 10-pl 80-yd drive in 3:17 sparked by Day 14-yd run & keyed by Mc- Gloin passes 21 yds to Robinson & 15 yds to Carter & Zordich 3-yd run on 3rd & 1. (Ficken kick) 0:03 2nd Quarter OH: Weller 22-yd FG caps 4-pl 8-yd drive in 1:21set up by Lewis rec. of Hodges fum. on punt at PS-13. 10:22 PS: Lehman 14-yd pass from McGloin on 3rd & 6 caps 3-pl 18-yd drive in 0:55 set up by Wartman block of Ohio punt and Della Valle rec. at OH-18. (Ficken kick) 1:29 3rd Quarter OH: Smith 43-yd pass from Tettleton on 3rd & 7 caps 12- pl 81-yd drive in 4:15 keyed by Tettleton passes 13 yds to 1 2 Futrell on 3rd & 8, 7 yds to Foster on 3rd & 6 & Blanken- ship 1-yd run on 3rd & 1. (Weller kick) 10:40 OH: Tettleton 1-yd run caps 8-pl 70-yd drive in 2:49 keyed by Cochran 11-yd run & Tettleton passes 33 yds to Clark on 3rd & 2 & 12 yds to Blankenship. (Weller kick) 3:49 4th Quarter OH: Foster 5-yd pass from Tettleton on 3rd & G caps 14- pl 93-yd drive in 6:42 keyed by Tettleton passes 11 yds to Thompson on 3rd & 1, 7 yds to Bussey on 3rd & 5 & 31 yds to Smith on 3rd & 2 & Blankenship runs 10 & 12 yds. (Weller kick) 2:55 Attendance: 97,186 9 10 trying to teach the Nittany Lions, Ohio blitzed 1: NEW PENN STATE tailback Bill Belton scores the first touch- a tiring Penn State defense with three long down late in the first quarter then celebrates with wide receiver touchdown drives for 21 points and a 24-14 Allen Robinson. 2: FRESHMAN Nyeem Wartman flies in to block turnaround victory. Holding the ball for nearly an Ohio punt in the second quarter and set up Penn State’s sec- two-thirds of the final 30 minutes, the Bobcats ond touchdown three plays later. 3: KYLE CARTER snares a pass outgained the Lions 301 yards to 115 and kept with one hand and hauls it in for one of his six catches. 4: ALLEN them off the scoreboard. OU quarterback Tyler ROBINSON catches a pass on a crossing route then cuts down- Templeton was superb, completing 16 of 19 field behind tailback Derek Day for a long gain. 5: LINEBACKERS passes for 207 yards and two TDs and master- Glenn Carson and Gerald Hodges sandwich Ohio tight end Troy fully moving his team to convert 11 of 12 third Hill. 6: WALK-ON tight end Matt Lehman catches a pass from down situations. Matt9 McGloin and sheds two blockers on a 14-yard romp into the Thus the team that is the odds-on favorite end zone for the Lions’ second TD. 7: JAKE FAGNANO (27) and to win the Mid-America Conference after going Mike Hull (43) stop an Ohio receiver. 8: SEAN STANLEY puts pres- 10-4 last year, winning its division and its first sure on Ohio’s quarterback. 9: SHAWNEY KERSEY makes one of bowl game, spoiled the debut of the new coach- his five catches for 35 yards Saturday. 10: THE LIONETTES dance ing staff at Penn State. And the stout-hearted team celebrates Penn State’s touchdown.