Nittany Lion’s Den Back for More

Welcome, again, to the unofficial home of Penn State football. NLD.net is your one-stop site for all things PSU football related. Our staff will cover everything from the season opener in September, throughout the BCS Bowl games and National Title. The site was created and is maintained entirely by Penn State students, and all registered trademarks, logos, etc are copywritten by their respective owners. Make sure to check back often as we update the site, and thank you for your support. – Dan

AD Releases 2009 Schedule

The 2009 Penn State Football schedule has been finalized and released by the athletics department, the Big Ten, and the NCAA. Here it is:

9-5-09 – vs. Akron
9-12-09 – vs. Syracuse
9-19-09 – vs. Temple
9-26-09 – vs. Iowa
10-3-09 – @ Illinois
10-10-09 – vs. Eastern Illinois
10-17-09 – vs. Minnesota
10-24-09 – @ Michigan
10-31-09 – @ Northwestern
11-7-09 – vs. Ohio State
11-14-09 – vs. Indiana
11-21-09 – @ Michigan State

All times & game locations are subject to change.

SC offense supreme in defeat of Penn State

An overwhelming offense, as well as a career-best performance by quarterback Mark Sanchez was more than enough to defeat the Nittany Lions in the 2009 Rose Bowl. Joe Paterno watched from the press box as his team “didn’t play Penn State football,” comitting a plethora of costly penalties, and making mental and physical errors which ultimately led to the team’s downfall. The previously stout Penn State defense allowed USC’s Mark Sanchez to pass for 413 yards, 162 of those yards to receiver Damian Williams, and gave up a 24 point lead before half. An injury to Evan Royster didn’t help matters for the Blue and White either. Daryll Clark played a rather average game, throwing for 273 yards with 2 TDs, but also throwing a couple of interceptions. After a sloppy first half to say the very least, Penn State rallied for a respectable comeback, shrinking the lead to 14, only to end in a turnover which sealed their fate. A rather disappointing finish to a memorable season, the Nittany Lions are now 12-2. Joe Paterno said, “I don’t want to take anything away from Southern Cal, because they played a heck of a football game and their quarterback played a great game,” he said. “They certainly deserved to win it, but I’m a little disappointed that we weren’t a little bit more competitive. And a lot of that was because we made so many mistakes in the first half.”

Alumni Check-Up: Jay Alford

In this installment of the Nittany Lion’s Den Alumni Check-Up we are spotlighting former Penn State defensive tackle Jay Alford. Jay played four seasons for the Blue and White, starting all four years at defensive tackle. Jay earned All Big-Ten selection honors in his junior and senior campaigns, and recorded a career-high 8 sacks in his senior year. Alford went on to be drafted in the third round (81st overall) by the New York Giants, in the 2007 NFL draft. Jay has proven his worth to the Giants, often playing in the defensive tackle rotation, and assuming the role of starting longsnapper on field goals and PATs. Alford contributed heavily in the 2008 Super Bowl victory, recording a memorable sack of Tom Brady during the final drive, with just under a minute left. Alford’s sack served as a nail in the coffin for the Patriots, and sealed an improbable Super Bowl victory for the underdog Giants. Jay Alford has had great success in college and the NFL, and we here at Nittany Lion’s Den all wish him additional success, happiness, and good health.

Jay Alford graduated from PSU in 2007

Devlin Heading to Delaware

Reports out of Philadelphia indicate that Nittany Lions’ sophomore quarterback Pat Devlin will be transferring to Division 1-AA Delaware. Devlin’s decision is likely due to the fact that he will still have two years of eligibility, and likely will assume a starting role. Devlin is following in the footsteps of another former Pennsylvania-school quarterback, Joe Flacco, whom transferred from Pitt to Delaware, and later went on to the NFL. Devlin would likely have sat next season behind Daryll Clark before assuming a starting position.

Sophomore Pat Devlin saw limited action this season

Reports: Joe Pa Extended

Just five days before his 82nd birthday, Penn State football coach and legend Joe Paterno has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension. Terms and dollar value of the contract have not yet been revealed, but the Fight On State website, based in State College, reports that Paterno has agreed in principle to continue coaching through the 2011 season. More details are likely to be revealed within the next 48 hours.

Looking Forward: Southern Cal

As the Nittany Lions enjoy there nearly month long break, the team will continue to prepare for #5 ranked Southern California. The game brings some very interesting matchups, such as USC’s talented crop of runningbacks, which includes sophomore sensation Joe McKnight, against the ferocious Penn State linebackers, lead by Josh Hull and Navorro Bowman. Also, the USC defense has been stingy in recent weeks, and has four shutouts this season. This same defense will look to slow down the typically high-scoring, fast-pace Penn State spread HD offense. Both of the teams were realistically close to being National Title contenders, before receiving their lone losses on the season. As we recall, Penn State took an upset loss against unranked Iowa, and USC took a loss to an Oregon State team, whom Penn State trounced early in the season. Analysts and bookies are calling for a close game, and defense will likely be the key factor in the game. The game will take place on January 1st, at 8:00pm EST.

Oregon State, Southern Cal possible opponents for PSU

Specific preparations and game-plans are limited for the Penn State coaching staff, as they await the announcement of their upcoming opponents in the New Year’s day Rose Bowl. The BCS system has narrowed it down to two possible suitors for the matchup, Oregon State and USC. As the final games of their seasons decide whom Penn State will play, the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly be looking on anxiously. If Oregon State were announced as the opponent, logic would likely give Penn State the edge, after the 45-14 trouncing earlier in the season. A matchup against USC would offer interesting matchups, like the Spread HD offense against the fast, swarming So-Cal defense, as well as the stingy run defense of Penn State against the talented crop of Trojan runningbacks. Regardless, the team will prepare as best they can until an opponent is announced, and a victory in the Rose Bowl would be a rather fitting end to a memorable season.

Penn State clinches Big Ten Title with 49-18 victory

Just two days removed from announcing that he will return to Penn State next season, Joe Paterno sat high up in the press box at Beaver Stadium, and coached his team to a Big Ten championship, and a trip to the Rose Bowl. As many seniors finished their final home game, chants of “Joe Pa” rang out loudly among the crowd. The Penn State seniors went out in flashing style, and have earned a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995. “We reached one goal, now we just need to go on the road and win a bowl game,” tailback Evan Royster said. Senior receiver Deon Butler came up big in his final home game, catching three touchdown passes, and posting 133 yards in the air. Fellow senior fullback Dan Lawlor had a much deserved touchdown, and Daryll Clark posted 345 yards, with 5 total scores. Defensively, Penn State returned the begining-of-season form, allowing only 35 yards rushing, and forcing two turnovers, including an interception by senior safety Anthony Scirrotto. Fellow senior kicker Kevin Kelly was 7 for 7 on extra point attempts as well. The Blue and White will conclude their ever memorable season on New Year’s Day, in the BCS Rose Bowl.

Senior quarterback Paul Cianciolo held a rose in his mouth while celebrating

PSU looks to secure Big Ten, BCS Bowl bid

The 15th ranked Michigan State Spartans will take the field at Beaver Stadium, in front of 107,000 Penn State fans who are seeking another Big Ten Title, and a BCS berth. The 9-2 Spartans could also take the Big Ten Title with a victory, and an Ohio State loss. But Penn State fans aren’t going to let that happen quietly. The 10-1, 8th ranked Nittany Lions have some big goals in their sights: The Big Ten, and the Rose Bowl. The Land Grant trophy, awarded the winner of this rivalry yearly, is on the line at 3:30pm EST. Penn State holds an 11-4 edge in the series, but Michigan State won last year’s meeting in dramatic fashion, rallying from a 17-point third-quarter deficit to post a 35-31 victory.