October 2010 Archives

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's offense played its most complete football game of the season on Saturday night in front of an electric Nittany Lion crowd of 108,539 at Beaver Stadium.

The Lions notched seven different scoring drives en route to 435 total yards in a stout 41-31 victory over rival Michigan.  The Faces of the Game feature usually focuses on one player from each side of the ball, but Saturday night belonged to the Penn State offense.

It was the type of performance the entire group needed to boost the confidence level heading into the rest of the season.  And it's hard to pinpoint two more instrumental players in Penn State's victory than senior tailback Evan Royster and sophomore quarterback Matt McGloin.

Let's kick things off with Penn State's career rushing leader (3,518).  Royster raced into the record books with a 20-yard scamper on a first down rush at the 3:56 mark of the first quarter.  The Virginia native eclipsed Curt Warner's all-time mark to become the top career rusher in Penn State history.

"It feels good," Royster said in the locker room following the victory.  "It has been talked about all season.  I feel like I got the monkey off my back.  It is a big honor.  (Now) let's get on with the season and talk about it later."

Royster set the tone early on Saturday night with a 66-yard first quarter and a 99-yard first half.  The veteran tailback is at his best when he hits the holes with authority.  When things are clicking, Royster has an uncanny ability to look past tacklers with superb vision.  And he did that on Saturday night on the way to 150 yards and two touchdowns.

"We got a lot of movement up front (from the offensive line)," Royster said.  "We had the linebackers guessing all night.  Then we were able to run the ball.  It was an all around good gameplan tonight."

Royster has now rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the last three games against Michigan.  Saturday's 150-yard performance marked the 14th time in his career that Royster has eclipsed the 100-yard mark.  It was a hard-nosed effort from the Nittany Lion offensive line in a game where ball possession was key.

"Ball possession was so huge tonight," Royster said.  "They started to come back a little bit in the second half and that was because we weren't possessing the ball like we needed to.  But we did a good job sticking it out long enough until the end."

The central figure in Penn State's offense maintaining possession for 37:29 was the first time starter under center.  From the moment he walked off the lead Blue Bus, McGloin was ready to play on Saturday night.  The Scrantion, Pa., native turned in a superb performance on the biggest stage of his career.

"We played great," McGloin said.  "Obviously, it was a great atmosphere for college football - an 8:00 game on ESPN.  We had a great week of practice and it really showed tonight."

McGloin finished 17-of-28 for 250 yards and a touchdown.  He found Graham Zug in the corner of the end zone for a crucial 20-yard score just before the end of the first half to give the Lions a 28-10 lead heading into the locker room.

"That was a play we had last year with Daryll (Clark) and we knew we would have it again this year," McGloin said.  "The dropped down into man coverage and I knew Graham (Zug) was going to beat the guy."

His numbers were impressive for a debut, but how McGloin managed the game on Saturday night is what made it a terrific performance.  The Lions dictated the time of possession to keep Michigan's offense off the field.  Penn State also converted 10-of-16 third down opportunities.  McGloin stepped up and made big throws when he needed to.  The Lions did all of the little things, and that fueled McGloin's offense to a huge night on the scoreboard.

"Especially against a team like Michigan who was going to put up big numbers, we had to execute," McGloin said.  "I stressed it all week that we had to control the ball and keep Denard Robinson off the field.  And we did that for most of the night."

Give a tip of the cap to Robinson for another impressive outing.  But Saturday belonged to the Nittany Lions.  Penn State will head into Northwestern week with a great deal of confidence after a statement victory in primetime.

Stay tuned each week for the "Faces of the Game" series following every game this fall.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head into the Penn State locker room for comments from the Nittany Lions following the 41-31 victory over Michigan on Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome back to the live in-game coverage on the Football Blog.  We are excited to bring you live coverage from Beaver Stadium for Penn State's battle with rival Michigan.

5:48 p.m. - Good Evening from Beaver Stadium

It is a great night to be inside Beaver Stadium for a primetime clash between Penn State and Michigan.  The parking lots are full of Nittany Lion fans eager to watch two rivals inside one of college football's greatest shrines.  The team buses are slated to arrive shortly after 6 p.m.  We are looking forward to bringing you in-game coverage from a critical matchup for both teams.  The weather is perfect for football.  Temperatures are in the 50s with a light breeze.  Stay tuned.

7:01 p.m. - Questions Abound
Much of the intrigue surrounding tonight's Penn State-Michigan game stems from an array of questions swirling around the Nittany Lion team. How will Matt McGloin perform in his debut as a starting quarterback? Will Rob Bolden see action? When will Evan Royster break Curt Warner's record to become the program's all-time leading rusher? How will Penn State go about stopping Denard Robinson? As kickoff draws nearer, so does the time for answers to the questions.

8:25 - A Good Start
You can hardly imagine a better start for Penn State. The vaunted Michigan offense fizzled on its first possession, in part due to linebacker Chris Colasanti, who knifed through the Wolverine offensive line on third down, stopping running back Vincent Smith for no gain. Then, Penn State went on a clock-draining 5:52 drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown jaunt by Evan Royster.

9:32 - Penn State Offensive Success

Pointing towards Penn State's offensive success in the first half are a few eye-popping statistics. The Nittany Lions are averaging 6.6 yards per play, have a 4:30-plus advantage in time of possession, are 4-of-6 on third conversions, and have converted on 4-of-4 red zone opportunities. If Penn State can maintain those trends throughout the second half, it will surely carry the day.

9:52 p.m. - Huge Offensive Half

The Nittany Lions head back onto the field for the second half after their highest point total in an opening half this season.  Evan Royster led the way with 99 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns.  Give credit to Matt McGloin for a 10-of-17 performance in his first half under center as a starter.  The Michigan defense has struggled mightily in the first half.  Look for Denard Robinson and the Wolverines to come out aggressive.

10:08 p.m. - Moye's 40-yard Catch and Run Sets up Wagner Field Goal

Derek Moye played a bit of defense on a slightly underthrown ball along the Penn State sideline on the Lions' first drive of the second half.  Moye's snag and 40-yard scamper set up the Nittany Lions with superb field position inside Michigan territory.  Collin Wagner added his 15th field goal of the season to make it 31-10 Nittany Lions.  The drive covered 62 yards on 10 plays in 4:57.  Wagner has now made a field goal in nine straight games.

10:18 p.m. - Michigan, Robinson Answer

Despite being pinned deep inside its own territory, Michigan answered Penn State's field goal with a 60-yard touchdown strike from Denard Robinson to Kevin Koger.  The Wolverines can score in an instant with Robinson on the field.  The talented sophomore has rushed for 133 yards on an eye-popping 8.3 yards per carry.  Robinson is such an explosive player in the open field.  He hits the hole with aggression and is extremely slippery to bring down.  Penn State's offense is back on the field up 31-17.

10:25 p.m. - Lions Come Right Back, Michigan Does, Too

Fueled by a 30-yard completion between Matt McGloin and Devon Smith on a wheel route, the Nittany Lions stormed back with a touchdown of their own to re-take a 21-point lead (38-17).  The seven-play, 80-yard drive was capped by a hard-nosed 5-yard touchdown run by fullback Michael Zordich.  Nonetheless, in a blink of an eye, Robinson and the Wolverine offense visited the end zone to set the scoreboard at 38-24 with 1:36 to play in the third quarter.  We have an offensive shootout brewing in the second half.  The teams have combined for a 24-point third quarter.

10:52 p.m. - Robinson Willing the Wolverines

It has been the Denard Robinson show for the Michigan offense again tonight.  The sophomore darted into the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the night to make it 38-31 with 9:25 to play in the ballgame.  Robinson now has 190 passing yards and 189 rushing yards and four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing).  Matt McGloin and the Lions need to answer and halt the momentum.

11:03 p.m. - Wagner Boots Clutch Field Goal

Collin Wagner has put together a fantastic senior season.  Without question, his biggest kick of the season came from 42 yards out to give the Nittany Lions a 41-31 lead with under six minutes to play.  We are headed down to the field for the finish.  Thanks for following along.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome back to the GoPSUsports.com Gameday Photo Blog. This week, the Nittany Lions welcome rival Michigan to Happy Valley for a primetime clash.

A capacity crowd in Rec Hall for Rally in the Valley on Friday night.

Several Nittany Lions and Coach Paterno watching a video at Rally in the Valley.

Coach Paterno urging the crowd to be loud at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.

An extra layer of paint was added for the primetime TV audience.

Inside the Penn State locker room.

The lockers of the quarterbacks in Beaver Stadium.

Matt McGloin leading the Lions off the Blue Buses.

The Nittany Lions enter the stadium.

Matt McGloin warming up.

The secondary stretching during warmups.

The stretching line.

Drew Astorino and offensive line coach Dick Anderson.

The Nittany Lions take the field.

The Penn State defense receiving a play from the sideline.

Matt McGloin and the Penn State offense lined up for a play.

Derek Moye and Devon Smith lined up.

In the trenches.

Penn State's career rushing leader Evan Royster.

Assistant coach Tom Bradley talking on the sidelines.

Matt McGloin lined up under center just before plunging into the end zone for a TD.

Just after McGloin's second quarter touchdown.

Penn State QB Matt McGloin with the media after the victory.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Student-athletes live for opportunities to play under the lights on a national stage in front of 107,000 fans during a big game.

Penn State (4-3, 1-2) will meet rival Michigan (5-2, 1-2) at 8 p.m. on Saturday night inside Beaver Stadium in a critical Big Ten matchup on the final weekend of October.  Both teams are viewing this clash as an opportunity to make a statement on national television.  And neither team can afford to lose.

Two Big Ten rivals are set to battle in a crucial conference game.  Flip on the lights.  It is time for Penn State-Michigan in a packed Beaver Stadium.

Welcome to the Michigan Gameday Preview.

Coach Paterno's Update on the Quarterback Situation

Which Nittany Lion quarterback will start on Saturday night?  Coach Paterno answered that on his radio show Thursday night.  Here is what the Hall of Fame head coach had to say.

"I have always been a one quarterback man.  I figure, the guy gets in there and gets a feel for things and he can make some adjustments if he is good.  We are going to go with Mac (Matt McGloin) to start with.  There is an outside chance that (Rob) Bolden will be okay.  And we will see how it goes.  I would prefer not to use more than one.  I think Mac is a good enough quarterback that he will get the job done.  I think we've got to do some other things.  I think we've got to make some catches. The offensive line's got to do some things for us to be competitive.  This is a team that moves the football really well.  They score a lot of points, Michigan.  We are going to have to be good offensively ourselves.  I hope I don't have to use more than one (quarterback), but if we have to, we will."

What to Watch For: Penn State

1.  With Coach Paterno's comments on the mind, let's kick things off with Matt McGloin.  The former walk-on stepped into the huddle at Minnesota and played solid football in relief of Rob Bolden.  McGloin tossed a pair of touchdown passes, including a 42-yard strike to Derek Moye on his second pass of the game.  McGloin likes the spotlight.  He is a fiery figure in the huddle.  Now, it comes down to execution.  Penn State's offense will need to score points on Saturday night.  Michigan is going to put points on the board, which makes McGloin's job crucial.  It will be very interesting to see how the sophomore handles the starting role for the first time in his career.  Do not count out seeing Bolden on the field, as well.

2.  Containing Denard Robinson is a monumental task.  Penn State's defense will not stop the talented Michigan quarterback.  However, the Lions must prohibit big plays from No. 16.  The Lions cannot let the game turn into a Robinson track meet.  Things start with tackling.  The Lion defense must play disciplined football - not over running plays, gang tackling, executing the proper assignments, among other areas.  Forcing Robinson to use his arm more than his legs is a priority, as well.  In doing so, Michigan will need to convert third and long situations, which is what the Lions want.

3.  Penn State needs to play a mistake-free, ball possession football game.  Michigan's offense likes to play with a fast tempo.  The Wolverine offense thrives on short scoring drives.  Michigan leads the Big Ten in total offense for a reason.  With that being said, the Nittany Lions' best defense is their offense on Saturday night.  Establishing the running game and controlling the time of possession will keep Robinson and the Wolverine offense off the field.  For that to happen, though, the offensive line must play well.

What to Watch For: Michigan

1.  Denard Robinson has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Michigan offense thus far in 2010.  Robinson has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards, becoming just the second player in Big Ten history to do so.  He has scored 18 of Michigan's 35 touchdowns this fall.  Robinson's speed can turn a short run into a touchdown in an instant.  The Wolverines want to keep Penn State's defense off balance with a fast tempo.  Robinson's turnovers in the past two games have been very costly.  Keep an eye on No. 16 and his ability to move the ball.

2. Michigan's defense has allowed 441 yards per game over the first seven contests of 2010.  The inconsistent Wolverines will need a better outing on Saturday night.  It will be interesting to see how Michigan handles the Penn State running game.  The Lions want to control the ball to keep Michigan's offense off the field.  The Wolverines can ill afford to let Penn State dominate the time of possession because the longer the defense is on the field, the fewer opportunities Robinson will have.  Keep an eye on the battle in the trenches between Michigan's front seven and the Lion offensive line.

3. Michigan wants to set the tone with a fast offensive start.  Putting a couple touchdowns on the board will put a lot of pressure on first-time starter Matt McGloin. Keep an eye on the execution during the first quarter.  Expect an aggressive approach to the play calling from Rich Rodriguez and his staff.

Breaking Down the Injuries:

Penn State - Probable: Rob Bolden (head), Andrew Dailey (neck/shoulder) Possible: Jack Crawford (foot) Doubtful: Brandon Beachum (knee) OUT: Curtis Drake (leg), Lou Eliades (knee), Gary Gilliam (knee), Eric Latimore (wrist), Nick Sukay (pectoral), Andrew Szczerba (back)

Michigan - OUT: LB Mike Jones (leg), WR Martavious Odoms (foot), RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (shoulder), S Jared Van Slyke (clavicle), S Mike Williams (head), CB Troy Woolfolk (ankle)

The Game:

Kickoff: 8:06 p.m.

TV: ESPN, Brad Nessler (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Analyst) and Holly Rowe (Sidelines)

Radio: Penn State Sports Network, Steve Jones (play-by-play), Jack Ham (color)

Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282), Natural Grass

Coaches: Joe Paterno - 45th year - 398-132-3 overall record

Rich Rodriguez - 3rd year at Michigan (18th year overall) - 13-18 (118-80-2 overall)

The Series: Michigan leads 10-5

The Final Word:

Coming off a road victory at Minnesota, several players on the Penn State roster have said this week that things are beginning to click.  The Nittany Lions' confidence level continues to grow.  But it will come down to execution on Saturday night against a high-powered Michigan offense.  The Wolverines come to Happy Valley off of a bye week and two straight losses.  They want to get their season back on track with a primetime victory in Happy Valley.  Penn State will need an all-around superb performance from every spot on the depth chart.  The key for the Nittany Lion offense is a fast start.  Penn State cannot afford to spot the Wolverines an early lead.  The Nittany Lions are motivated to play well.  Our advice is to get to the stadium early.  Wear white and cheer on the Lions.  The 12th man can play a big role.  But execution on offense and disciplined defense will decide the rivalry game.

Follow the Blog on Saturday and on Twitter @ twitter.com/GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Saturday marks the halfway point of the conference season around the Big Ten.  With four weeks of football to play, the conference title race is wide open.  This week also marks the final day of primetime games in the Big Ten this season.  Take a look around the week nine matchups.

Purdue at Illinois - Noon - ESPN2

In a battle of two 4-3 teams, Illinois (4-3, 2-2) looks to make it two straight victories while the Boilers (4-3, 2-1) look to get back on track after a lopsided loss at Ohio State.  Illinois continues to play superb defense in 2010.  With Purdue QB Rob Henry listed as questionable for the game with a laceration on his throwing hand, it could be a long afternoon for the Boilers.  Ohio State had its way with Purdue's defense.  Expect more of the same from Mikel Leshoure and the Illini offense.  Purdue's defense must play well for them to tally a road victory.  Nonetheless, look for Illinois to keep the momentum going.

Northwestern at Indiana - Noon - Big Ten Network

Northwestern (5-2, 1-2) heads to Indiana (4-3, 0-3) needing one victory to become bowl eligible this fall.  Coming off a tough home loss to Michigan State, the Wildcats will be in for an offensive shootout in Bloomington.  The Big Ten's top two passers (Ben Chappell of Indiana and Dan Persa of Northwestern) and top two passing offenses will collide at Memorial Stadium.  Neither defense will stop the opponent's passing game.  Look for big numbers from Chappell and Persa.  It will come down to which team can avoid turnovers and get a timely stop in the second half.  Northwestern has a lot on the line with challenging November schedule.

No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa - 3:30 p.m. - ABC (Regional); ESPN (Outer Market)

The game of the day will again be in Iowa City this week.  Red-hot Michigan State (8-0, 4-0) used a clutch fourth quarter to remain unbeaten at Northwestern last Saturday.  On the other hand, Iowa (5-2, 2-1) came up on the short end of the big plays in the fourth quarter in a 31-30 loss to Wisconsin.  Iowa can ill afford a second consecutive home loss.  A win over Michigan State will put the Hawkeyes right back in the title race.  Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeye offense have been superb this fall.  Look for another strong outing from Stanzi and his talented wide outs Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt against the Michigan State secondary.  Nonetheless, you just get the sense that it is becoming one of those special seasons for QB Kirk Cousins and the Spartans.   However, this will be Michigan State's biggest test.  MSU must move the ball with the running game.  Iowa is desperate to get a victory, and it is hard to bet against the Hawkeyes at home after a tough home loss.  It will be an interesting game at Kinnick Stadium.

No. 11 Ohio State at Minnesota - 8 p.m. - ABC

Ohio State heads to TCF Bank Stadium following a 49-0 drubbing of Purdue.  For the Gophers, the Jeff Horton era got off to a 0-1 start last week, and things do not get easier with a talented Ohio State team coming to town.  The Buckeyes will have their way with the struggling Minnesota defense.  Look for Terrelle Pryor to put up big numbers through the air and on the ground in a comfortable victory for Ohio State.  Minnesota will need a big game from Adam Weber to keep things from getting out of hand, but the Buckeyes have too much firepower.

By Mark Wishnia, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Daneen Zug was named a captain of the field hockey team for her high level of play and leadership role on the team. She truly showed why this honor was deserved in the big weekend against Duke and Princeton and she hopes to take what she did last weekend into the final regular season game and the Big Ten Tournament.

Sophomore forward Kelsey Amy and head coach Charlene Morett both expressed how well Zug played after last weekend's sweep of Duke and Princeton.  This week, Morett was still giving Zug high praise.

"I think just her consistency from the Duke game to the Princeton game, I felt that she really stepped up," Morett said. "And I can't always hear if she's communicating back there but I feel like she had a presence."

Prior to last weekend, the team was thinking about pushing Zug forward more to try and generate more offense. However, the opportunity to do so never presented itself, and it worked out for the better for the Nittany Lions.

"We were thinking of maybe pushing her up the field a little bit more last week and in the Bucknell game we really never got in a position to do that," Morett said. "So it was probably a blessing that we kept her back there because she did an outstanding job."

Zug led the Nittany Lions with 10 goals as a sophomore but has thrived defensively this year as a senior. Yet she has still had her fair share of goals totaling four heading into the final game of the season.

Zug says the team as a whole has really been working on the defense the last couple of weeks.

"I think we've worked on defense a lot this past week and the week before and we're really working together as a unit back there," Zug said. "The communication, we know how to talk to each other back there and get each other to do what we need to do."

Zug does realize, however, that the communication with this team will end soon. She is a senior and will face the reality of the real world shortly. She wants to go out with a bang heading into the final game of the season.

"I 'm excited for the Big Ten tournament coming up," Zug said. "I think we've grown a lot over the season and that's our one chance. No, we didn't get the Big Ten title like we hoped throughout the season but it's back to square one once that tournament starts so we can still get the conference championship through that."

Zug has eight points this season in addition to her four goals. She understands that she is the last line of defense before opponents take on Ayla Halus. But she has taken on that responsibility well.

"I know when someone is caught out of position, where I need to step to stop that ball," Zug said.

Morett feels Zug has learned the position very well.

"I think she's just getting a sense of when is a right time to step up and tackle and when she should stay back and contain it," Morett said.

The confidence has been built really high after last weekend. The win over No. 5 Princeton was arguably their biggest win of the season. Zug is still hungry.

"I really want to get into the playoffs and get far in there, go to the final four. I mean we have our hopes set high after that weekend that we can do anything and we're expecting great things."

The Nittany Lions take on Northwestern in their final game of the regular season on Friday at 4 p.m. ET. The Big Ten Championship begins Nov. 4 and will be hosted in Evanston, Ill.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion wrestling team will return to the confines of Rec Hall one week from today to kick off the 2010-'11 season.

Penn State's annual Intra-Squad Dual Meet will open the season on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.  Head coach Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lion wrestlers welcomed the media to hot, humid Rec Hall on Thursday for media day. 

Expectations are high for Coach Sanderson and the Nittany Lions.  We spent the afternoon at the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex in Rec Hall.  Take a look at some of the storylines from the GoPSUsports.com media day notebook leading up the 2010-'11 wrestling season.

- All Eyes on the Youth

The Nittany Lions enter the 2010-'11 season with one of the most decorated groups of young wrestlers in program history.  In all, 20 true or redshirt freshmen occupy slots on the roster.  Headlining the list of talented young athletes include David Taylor, Ed Ruth, Andrew and Dylan Alton, among others.  The Alton twins are among 17 true freshmen that Coach Sanderson has been very impressed with during the preseason.

"We have had a lot of really good fortune...We have a lot of guys that can come in and compete right away."

Sanderson noted that a decision would be made in the next two weeks on which of the Alton twins will wrestle or redshirt this winter.  He is very pleased with the progress Taylor and Ruth have made in the past year after redshirting.  Coach Sanderson is expecting very big things from both young athletes.  We spoke to Taylor, and he made it quite clear that he wants to win a national title.  Penn State's young talent will make an immediate impact this winter.

- Battling for Starting Spots

As we mentioned, the intra-squad dual will take place next Thursday night inside Rec Hall.  Several interesting battles for lineup spots will headline the event, but Coach Sanderson noted a couple key areas to watch.  At 133 pounds, freshman Sam Sherlock and redshirt sophomore Bryan Pearsall are vying for the starting spot.  Sanderson said the most competitive spot in the lineup is 165 pounds.  Redshirt sophomore Nick Fischer, freshman Dirk Cowburn and Jake Kemerer are among the candidates for the starting spot.

- Pataky and Molinaro Eager to Return

Two of Penn State's returning All-Americans are eager to return to competition after injuries during the offseason.  Coach Sanderson said junior Brad Pataky (125) is day-to-day with a sprained knee.  Pataky went 28-10 last season.  True freshman Frank Martellotti is the leading candidate to step in for Pataky.

Fellow All-American Frank Molinaro (149) is working to recover from an ankle injury suffered during the preseason.  Coach Sanderson said that Molinaro is ahead of schedule and is beginning to put some weight on his ankle.  Molinaro tallied a 33-7 record last season en route to fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships.  Coach Sanderson said redshirt sophomore James English is the leading candidate to replace Molinaro at 149 pounds.

- Focus on the Big Picture

Coach Sanderson enters his second season at the helm of the program.  His expectations remain the same as they have always been throughout his decorated career.

"Our focus is always the same - to go out there and fight and do the best we can."

Coach Sanderson is eager for the season to open next week, but the squad has its eyes on the month of March.  Coach said that the national tournament in March is why the team is in the practice room every day.  With that being said, the coaching staff wants to see the team at its best during the month of March.

- Big Ten Forecast

The Big Ten will again be a superb conference on the national landscape this winter.  When asked about the Big Ten favorites for this winter, Coach Sanderson said he expects Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin to be the teams to beat.  Iowa is the three-time defending national champion.  Here is a list of where the Big Ten's top squads fall in the NWCA preseason rankings:

No. 4 Minnesota

No. 5 Wisconsin

No. 6 Penn State

No. 7 Iowa

No. 10 Illinois

No. 12 Ohio State

No. 18 Michigan

No. 19 Northwestern

No. 20 Purdue

We are one week from the 2010-'11 wrestling season kicking off.  Get to Rec Hall this me.  You will not be disappointed.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State and Michigan will meet for the 16th time on Saturday night inside Beaver Stadium.

Fresh off a 33-21 victory over Minnesota, the Nittany Lions returned to the practice field with a great deal of confidence this week.  As it does every week, the blog spent some time at the Lasch Football Building for a pair of video interviews with the Nittany Lions leading up to the clash with the Wolverines.

We kicked off the Michigan scouting report with Drew Astorino.  Today, we move to the offensive side of the ball for a conversation with left tackle Quinn Barham.  Barham has started all seven games this fall at left tackle.  The Lion offensive line is beginning to mesh together as one cohesive unit.

Watch to see what Barham has to say about the Penn State offensive line, his roommate and fellow offensive tackle Chima Okoli and the Michigan defense on this video scouting report.

Click Here for Drew Astorino's Video Scouting Report of Michigan

Stay tuned for much more coverage leading up to Saturday's game against Michigan.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In sports, people are often judged by their accomplishments on the field of play.  Penn State's new men's soccer coach Bob Warming has distinguished himself on the field as one of the greatest collegiate soccer coaches of all time.  He is sixth among active coaches in wins and 15th all time in Division I history with 393 victories.

While Coach Warming has proven himself on the field as a leader and winner, he strives to be a leader off the field as well.  In his career as a head coach, he has made it a priority to give back to the community wherever he is coaching.  Coach Warming has served as honorary chairman for the Boy Scouts of America for Nebraska and been active in other charitable works such as Habitat for Humanity and volunteering in schools and hospitals.  In the 2009 season while coaching at Creighton University, his team won the community service award.  Community service is an aspect of collegiate sports that Coach Warming says is very important and needed.

"Its something that's not nice to, not ok to do," said Coach Warming.  "I think its something that's required. When you've received a lot from the community you need to give back.  We've received a lot here, so our guys will be active on campus and in the community."

As athletes, Coach Warming expects a lot from his players on the field, but that expectation does not stop once the game is over.  He expects them to be ambassadors for their sport and team and extend their reach into the community.  Coach Warming wants each of his players to do community service as part of their routine and when the spring rolls around, he hopes to have every player contributing in some way every week.

"We are going to have a similar rule that I've had in the past (in the spring)," said Coach Warming.  "There are basically 15 weeks in the semester when you aren't taking exams.  So let's just commit on average an hour a week when you are doing something for somebody else, and that's 15 hours.  What you find is, players will do more than that and get involved on their own."

Soccer is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity in this country and that is no different at Penn State.  In its 100 year of playing soccer, Penn State has set lofty goals for the season and people are starting to take notice.  Coach Warming believes that if the Nittany Lions are active in the community, it will help build an ever stronger fan base in the future.

"Working in the community will help fans build a relationship with our sport," said Coach Warming.  For example, we would go and do reading in elementary schools, then we would give the teachers tickets and the children would be able to come to the games.  That brings families to the games, and anytime we can do something in our sport that makes families come together, its good for everybody."

Community service and outreach is not only good for Penn State soccer as a program, but it is also good for the players.  Giving back to the community will help build their character as they move on in their lives, and Coach Warming thinks that's as good a reason to do it as any.

"All these guys, because they are graduating from Penn State are going to be very successful," said Coach Warming.  "If they start in college, then will start giving something back and they'll be role models for others.  My biggest thing is to get guys started; some of them will love it and want to do it."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - One of the hardest working groups on the Penn State practice field during game week preparations is the scout team.

Each week, a portion of the roster is assigned the job of playing the part of the upcoming opponent.  The group executes the opponent's offensive formations and defensive schemes to mimic what the coaching staff is expecting the first team to see on Saturday.

This week, the scout team has task of replicate the athleticism of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.  A trio of talented young players are sharing the role of scout team QB to prepare the Nittany Lion defense for Robinson's elite speed and skill set.  Freshman quarterback Paul Jones and sophomore receivers Alex Kenney and Evan Lewis have all taken snaps on the scout team at practice.

But Lewis has taken the concept of mimicking Robinson to a new level this week.

"They came out yesterday and had Evan Lewis (was) wearing dreadlocks...I guess they wanted us to get the whole visual," linebacker Chris Colasanti joked.

Lewis caught the team off guard on Tuesday afternoon when he walked onto the practice field with a wig and dreadlocks on.  Nonetheless, several members of the defense have said Lewis has done a superb job replicating Robinson's style of running, in addition to looking the part.

"He does a real good job," linebacker Michael Mauti said. "He's a real good athlete. He gives us a real good look. This kid is shifty and he's making guys miss all week. Obviously, he's not going to have the blazing 10.2 100-meter speed (like Robinson), but he's shifty and he's making guys miss. I have to give the kid credit. He's been doing well all week, as he has all season on the scout team."

Lewis has handled most of the running duties for the scout team, while Jones has replicated Robinson's passing.  Colasanti said the scout team is using two different huddles to create rapid fire play calling at practice to imitate Michigan's up tempo style of offense.

The scout team is an unsung group of individuals on the Penn State roster.  The unit is a hard-working group that does a tremendous job getting the first team ready for Saturday.  Although it is impossible to replicate Robinson, Lewis has added a new dimension, visually, and athletically to the practice field this week to get the Lions ready for the Wolverines.

"He (Lewis) has a little bit of moves I didn't know about. He's running around and it's hard to contain him," sophomore defensive end Jordan Hill said.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Riding a four-match winning streak, the Nittany Lion women's volleyball team returns home this weekend to take on Indiana and Purdue.

GoPSUsports.com stopped by Rec Hall for a conversation with assistant coach Dennis Hohenshelt for his thoughts on the Nittany Lions and this weekend's matches. Penn State heads into the weekend with a 17-4 overall mark and a 7-3 record in the Big Ten.

Here is this week's video conversation with Coach Hohenshelt.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State welcomes rival Michigan into Beaver Stadium on Saturday night for a primetime matchup on ESPN.

Fresh off a 33-21 victory over Minnesota, the Nittany Lions returned to the practice field this week looking to build upon a strong outing in Minneapolis.  The blog spent some time at the Lasch Football Building again this week for a pair of video interviews with the Nittany Lions leading up to the clash with the Wolverines.

First up is safety Drew Astorino.  The Edinboro, Pa., native moved from strong safety to free safety last week following Nick Sukay's season-ending pectoral injury.  Astorino is a three-year veteran in the Penn State secondary.  The junior sat down to discuss how the Lion defense is preparing for the top offense in the Big Ten.

Watch to see what Astorino has to say about the Penn State defense and slowing down Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.

Stay tuned for another video scouting report tomorrow with Nittany Lion offensive tackle Quinn Barham.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Rivalries give college football a unique identity.  Penn State and Michigan have met just 15 times, but Saturday's clash is a little more than just another game on the schedule.

Penn State and Michigan are two of the most tradition-rich programs in college football.  The uniforms have remained the same for decades.  Both teams rest in the top six of the all-time win list in college football history.  And both teams have two of the largest national fan bases in the sport.

The players relish the opportunity to compete in a matchup of this nature.  Games like this week's are a big reason why individuals want to play in Happy Valley.  Neither team will likely contend for a Big Ten crown this fall, but that doesn't take away from the magnitude of Saturday's game.  It's a classic matchup among college football powers under the lights at Beaver Stadium.

"I've tried to get across to you, if Penn State plays Michigan and we're not excited about playing that game, then we're in the wrong business," said Coach Paterno at the weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "And the kids went to the wrong school.  I mean, I'm hoping we're going to play with a lot of emotion, a lot of enthusiasm.  Hope the crowd is great.  Hope it's just a great night for college football."

Headlining the Michigan scouting report for Saturday night's game is Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson.  The standout sophomore is one of the most talented players in all of college football.  Preparing for Robinson's game speed is virtually impossible.  When given a small crack, Robinson puts six points on the board.

"He's awfully dangerous," Coach Paterno said.  "He's got great instincts running with the football.  Throws the ball well when they decide he's going to, they're going to give him the protection he needs.  But he's tough to rush.  He's tough to get after, because he does move so well."

The Penn State defense knows that completely stopping Robinson is unlikely.  But limiting No. 16 from making big plays is a realistic goal.  He is going to get yardage, but keeping the sophomore from breaking a long run into the end zone is crucial for the Lions.

Four days remain until the Beaver Stadium lights some on for a critical Big Ten matchup.  Coach Paterno is ready now.

"I think we've got to play 60 minutes of really good football, both sides of the football," Coach Paterno said.  "I think it's amazing, when you look at the tape of Michigan's game against Michigan State, against Iowa, people like that, how well they played.  Outside of turnovers and a couple of major mistakes, they're every bit as good as those two football teams on those particular days.  So I don't think it's a question of how we start or what, it's whether we're ready to play 60 tough minutes."

It's Michigan week.

Press Conference Nuggets:

- Rob Bolden's Status

Starting quarterback Rob Bolden is listed as probable on the official injury report.  The freshman underwent evaluations on Sunday.  He will do the same on Wednesday.  From there, a decision will be made on his status for Saturday's game.  Bolden did not participate much at practice on Monday.

- Coach Paterno on Matt McGloin's Play at Minnesota

"I thought he did a very good job.  Obviously, the first play was a great one.  And I think he got carried away on the second one when he threw the interception.  But I thought he did very well under the circumstances and will get better if he has to play more."

- Drake and Szczerba Out for the Season

Coach Paterno noted on Tuesday afternoon that receiver Curtis Drake and tight end Andrew Szczerba will not play this season.  Neither player has suited up in the first seven games.

- First in Offense, Last in Defense

Michigan enters Saturday night's game as the top team in total offense in the Big Ten.  However, the Wolverines rank dead last in total defense.  The Wolverines are averaging 532 yards of offense and are giving up 441 yards on defense.  It is a very interesting blend of statistics for Rich Rodriguez's squad.

Stay tuned for much more coverage leading up to Saturday's game at Minnesota.

Follow the Blog on Twitter @ twitter.com/GoPSUTony

By Kelsey Detweiler, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The 2010 season has been a learning process for the three-time defending national champion Nittany Lions. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions have hit a few bumps in the road to their overall record of 17-4 and 7-3 mark in the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions suffered their first loss of the season on September 11 in Gainesville, Florida, against Stanford, which was also Penn State's first loss in 109 matches. Two weeks after the loss to Stanford and the longest Division I women's sports streak was broken, the Nittany Lions were also defeated by Illinois. The loss to the Illini ended Penn State's 65-match Big Ten winning streak, and put the Nittany Lions in a position they hadn't seen in a while.

On October 8, two weeks after the Nittany Lions fell to the Illini, Penn State suffered yet another loss to Purdue. The next day, the Nittany Lions dropped a match to the Indiana Hoosiers as well. Two consecutive losses in one weekend - something that Penn State had not had happen to them since 2002.

Interestingly enough, all four of the losses that Penn State has suffered this season have been road matches. The Nittany Lions have been dominant on their home court, boasting an 86-match winning streak in Rec Hall.

Since the loss to Indiana, the Nittany Lions have bounced back nicely to win four consecutive matches.  And the Lions are beginning to find a nice rhythm.

Head coach Russ Rose has spent a great deal of time talking about the starting lineup this fall.  For the vast majority of the season, the starters have included freshman Deja McClendon, sophomore Kristin Carpenter, senior Arielle Wilson, senior Blair Brown, senior Fatima Balza, senior Alyssa D'Errico and senior Cathy Quilico.

The Nittany Lions are hitting .303 as a team, and are currently averaging 13.56 kills per set. Four of the starters are hitting over.300, including middle hitter Arielle Wilson (.434), middle blocker Fatima Balza (.393), outside hitter Deja McClendon (.329) and middle hitter Blair Brown (.303). On the defensive end, Penn State is averaging 13.9 digs per set and 3.0 blocks per set. Arielle Wilson and Fatima Balza have posted an average of 1.24 blocks per set.

No. 9 Penn State has 10 regular season matches left before the NCAA Tournament begins. Senior libero and defensive specialist Cathy Quilico said that the team is looking to build on what they have done so far, and continue coming together as a single group.

"We've had our ups and downs and I really think that from here on out, especially after this last away weekend we had, we've really gelled as a team a lot," said Quilico. "We knew this was going to be a concern having nine freshman and then six seniors, so it's completely disconnected in that aspect but it was only a matter of time until we became one unit. So hopefully it continues to help us practice well, play well and we can get it together for every match."

The fresh faces and the All-American veterans that make up the Nittany Lion roster this season have had to re-work their styles of play to fit one another. Different players have different levels of experience and talent, and it has made it difficult for Penn State to have on cohesive line-up.

Senior defensive specialist Jessica Ullrich said that every girl truly battles for her spot on the court.

"It's a dogfight every day, who's going to be on the court," said Ullrich. "I don't think coach could predict who's going to be on the court come the end of the season even."

Quilico also said that every player needs to be ready at all times, since they don't always know what coach Rose is going to do.

"You know, you don't question coach," said Quilico. "So, it's fine because we practice with them every day but coach is very big on having a set line-up - he doesn't really like changes much. Someone has to be playing pretty bad for him to make a change or you know he sees something that we don't see for him to make a change."

Ullrich said that the determination to be better and the continuous process to grow is a positive for the team.

"Every single day we battle it out and different positions go and go and go, but I think that just makes us stronger team," said Ullrich. "Everybody adjusts to whose on the court and we all try to help each other out so it makes us better for it."

As for the outlook on the rest of the season, Ullrich said that the Nittany Lions have nothing but high expectations.

"I think we all have the same goal in mind and I think everybody around the country has the same goal in mind," said Ullrich. "We're going to keep our eyes set right now on Big Ten, focusing on that, making sure that we take care of our business here and then come the end of the season it's just a dogfight from there on out."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Monday Mailbag is back after a couple weeks off.  Take a look at this week's answers from yours truly to questions on a variety of subjects on Penn State Athletics. 

Monday Mailbag - October 25

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State and Michigan will meet under the lights on Saturday night inside Beaver Stadium.

It's hard to ask for anything more than a week of talking about two rivals leading up to a primetime kickoff in Happy Valley.

Penn State and Michigan are two of the most iconic programs in college football.  The foes will meet for the 16th time on Saturday night.  Let's take a look at some of the early-week storylines leading up to Coach Paterno's press conference on Tuesday afternoon.  We are eagerly awaiting an injury update on QB Rob Bolden.  For now, though, here are some items from the notebook.

- Building on the Victory

With a convincing victory under their belt, the Nittany Lions head into the week with some confidence.  Now, it is time for the squad to build on a solid outing in Minneapolis.  The offense tallied its highest point total in six weeks behind three passing touchdowns and 145 yards on the ground.  Penn State picked up 6.3 yards per play on offense.  It was not a perfect outing, but Saturday's win was definitely a performance to build on.  And playing with some confidence will take some of the pressure off.  Now, the Lions need to take another step forward this week.

- Crisp Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, Penn State used timely stops to keep the Golden Gophers off the board at critical moments on Saturday.  However, the Lions yielded 433 yards of offense to Minnesota.  That trend cannot continue against Michigan.  The Wolverines field the Big Ten's top offensive unit.  Penn State's defense will continue to get healthier this week, but the Lions will need a crisp showing to slow down the Wolverines.  Suring up the tackling and pass coverage in the secondary are atop the list this week.

- Slowing Down Denard

Speaking of tackling, the Nittany Lions will spend a great deal of Saturday's game looking to corral Michigan QB Denard Robinson.  The talented signal-caller was injured in Michigan's last outing against Iowa.  Nonetheless, Rich Rodriguez is nearly certain that No. 16 will play.  Robinson is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football.  A missed tackle will result in a touchdown.  He has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing.  He has also thrown for 1,319 yards.  In all, Robinson has accounted for 65 percent of Michigan's offensive yardage this season.  He has scored 18 touchdowns this fall (nine passing, nine rushing).  Penn State has scored 14 touchdowns as a team this fall.  Needless to say, the Penn State defense will have its hands full with Robinson, but tackling is absolutely critical for the Penn State defense.

- 16th Meeting with the Wolverines

Michigan holds a 10-5 edge in the all-time series between the two foes, but the Lions have dominated the past two meetings.  Penn State has out-scored Michigan 81-27 in the past two seasons.  Nonetheless, the Penn State-Michigan series has historically been marked by close games.  There have been seven games decided by eight points or fewer, including four of the past six meetings.  Despite the past two meetings, Saturday's clash has the potential to be another close game.

- Primetime in Beaver Stadium

There should be a little extra bounce in your step this week as the Nittany Lions prepare for a night game against Michigan.  The atmosphere inside Beaver Stadium when the lights come on is electric.  Penn State needs a big boost from the 12th man on Saturday.  If you are coming to the game.  Get there early and cheer loud.  It is a critical game.

With that, it is Michigan week. Nothing more needs to be said.

Stay tuned to the Blog throughout the week as we get ready for Saturday night's clash with Michigan.

By Mark Wishnia, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - On an unseasonably warm weekend in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lion field hockey team swept its final home weekend in impressive fashion against No. 17 Duke and the No. 5 Princeton.

Intensity played a key part in both wins. Penn State was very quick to the ball en route to tallying two critical victories.  Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Duke kicked off a thrilling weekend at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.

"First of all, we didn't play well," head coach Charlene Morett said. "I don't think the officiating had anything to do with the outcome of the game. "

Despite playing down two players after yellow cards for a stretch in the second half, the Nittany Lions prevailed on the scoreboard.

"I'm glad we fought really hard," sophomore forward Kelsey Amy said. "We were down two players at one point and we kept fighting, it didn't really effect us, you couldn't tell so I thought that was good."

Penn State came back out on Sunday and battled the Princeton Tigers in one of the most thrilling games of the season. Nearly 10 minutes into the first half the Nittany Lions got their first big opportunity off of a penalty corner. A shot came from the left side and went past goalkeeper Jennifer King. But sophomore back Amy Donovan stood in behind her and poked it away.

But the pressure from Penn State continued throughout the rest of the game.

"The greatest thing about today's game was team attack and team defense and that was one of the goals that we set for us today," Morett said. "And I think that the girls really believed in each other and I just thought that we played a great game."

Kelsey Amy sat through the first few minutes of Sunday's game after receiving a pair of yellow cards on Saturday. But she eventually made her way into the game was enthusiastic about the big win over No. 5 Princeton.

"Passes were on, people were in the right place, the ball was moving great," Amy said. "Double team, triple team, and everything just worked out great today."

The Nittany Lions have one game left in the regular season against Big Ten opponent Northwestern. The weekend gives the Nittany Lions a lot of confidence moving forward.

"I think what [winning both games this weekend] does is, it gives us a lot more confidence," Morett said. "This was a very challenging weekend and we knew it was going to be facing two top teams. For our team to win both games, it's awesome for them."

In their two final home games, the Nittany Lions truly played some of the best field hockey this season. The team seemed united as group, applied a ton of pressure, and played great defensively which all members of the team stressed.

Kelsey Amy, Ayla Halus, and Charlene Morett all stressed how well Daneen Zug played over the weekend. But Halus made some great plays of her own.

With just under 26 minutes remaining on Sunday, the Tigers were awarded a penalty corner. A shot from the top of the circle forced Halus off her feet as she made a great diving save moving to her left. Just about two minutes later, she made a great kick save, again moving to her left.

Penn State's offensive pressure played a big role over the weekend. The Lions forced a penalty stroke both on Saturday and on Sunday. Jess Longstreth gave Penn State the insurance goal Saturday to make it 2-0 and her penalty stroke on Sunday was the lone goal of the afternoon.

The Nittany Lions close out the season in Northwestern on Friday at 4 p.m. ET. The Big Ten Tournament begins on November 4.  Following two key victories, the Nittany Lions are directly in the picture for a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team has played a lot of soccer over the past week and a half; four games all told dating back to October 13th.  Each game was scheduled for a typical 90 minutes of play, but in all four games extra time was needed to decide the contest. 

Including Penn State's most recent game against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions have played 51:33 of extra time, more than an extra half of a game.  For Penn State, the grind of playing all those extra minutes has been more draining than usual because they had victory snatched from their grasp in frustrating fashion three times in a row.  That streak of overtime misfortune ended Saturday with a 2-1 win over Big Ten rival Ohio State.  The team was very excited to finally score a golden goal of their own.

"It's our fourth overtime game in a row; we've tied one and lost two," said Matt Smallwood.  "We are fighting our hearts out out there."

The extra time that Penn State has played recently can easily take its toll on the players, both mentally and physically.  Matheus Braga, who scored the tying goal, said the team would use its off days to recover.

"Yea it really does (tire us out) we were supposed to play 90 minutes. That's college soccer, you go to overtime and that's how it is," said Matheus Braga.  "We have recovery, tomorrow we have a day of to recover and a game Wednesday."

Head coach Bob Warming was in good spirits after an overtime game at Jeffery Field finally went the Nittany Lions' way this season.  Coach Warming was happy to see the game winning goal scored by Senior Treavor Gelsinger, his first of the season, on senior day.

"I kind of think everything evens out, in this one," said coach Warming.  "It was our time.  We were due to get evened out a little bit.  And to have a special kind of goal from Treavor shows that things are getting evened out.  Treavor has been through a lot here, he's been through a lot of things this year and he's kept walking through the tough situations and come out the other side and scores arguably the biggest goal of the year for us."

The victory in overtime would be sweet in itself considering the circumstances surrounding the Nittany Lions past four games.  This victory in extra time however, was even sweeter because it came on senior day, and two seniors scored in the 2-1 victory.

"Oh my gosh, we were down one nothing and were like, we've got all these fans out here," said Matt Smallwood.   "Matheus, it only takes him an instant and he can get past and take that shot and its goal, it's unbelievable."

Gelsinger scored Penn State's first overtime goal for the game winner this season.  It was also his first goal of the season.  Gelsinger's golden goal was a sight that the whole team and the fans were very happy to see.

"The whole team feels great, you can see it in his eyes right now, he's so happy.  The team loves him he had a tough beginning of the season and we all trust him," said Matheus Braga.  "When I saw him run I was pretty confident he would score the goal."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Leading 14-7 mid-way through the second quarter, the Penn State defense needed a boost to slow down Minnesota's passing attack. 

Following a Nittany Lion punt, Adam Weber and the Gopher offense drove 54 yards to the Penn State 33 yard line and were knocking on the door of either tying the game or slicing into Penn State's lead with a field goal.  However, the next two plays altered the complexion of the ballgame and swung the momentum in Penn State's favor at TCF Bank Stadium.

An interception and a 58-yard return opened the door for a 42-yard touchdown pass on the very next play.  In the blink of an eye, Penn State went from looking to slow down a second Minnesota scoring drive to a 21-7 lead.  And two of the catalysts on the sequence are this week's Faces of the Game.

Junior quarterback D'Anton Lynn hauled in the interception and tallied the 58-yard return.  Junior wide out Derek Moye then registered the 42-yard touchdown reception.

Let's begin with Lynn, who posted a career effort in Minneapolis.  The Texas native stepped in front of Weber's second quarter pass as it sailed into the back of the south end zone at TCF Bank Stadium.  Lynn made the interception, his second of the season, close to the out of bounds paint, and was then left with the dilemma of kneeling or bringing the ball out of the end zone.

"I thought about kneeling at first because that is what I am supposed to do," Lynn said.  "But I figured I would get it past the 20, and if I didn't, I was prepared for the consequences.  So, I just took it out of the end zone and ran as far as I could."

Lynn finished with a career-high 10 tackles to lead the Nittany Lion defense.  He also assisted on a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, which resulted in a one-yard loss.  Lynn and the Nittany Lion secondary had their hands full with a talented corps of Minnesota receivers all afternoon.

"They were really physical," Lynn said.  "They were by far the biggest group of receivers that we have played.  Their starters were 6-3 and 6-4, so it was a challenge for me and Steph (Morris)."

Lynn's interception was a big play for the Nittany Lions, but the junior cornerback credited Moye's touchdown reception, as well.

"I think the offensive touchdown was more of a momentum boost (than the interception)," Lynn said.

Lynn's comment transitions right into our second player.  Moye is beginning to get on a roll as the season heads into the final five weeks.  The junior wide out now has three touchdowns in the past two games, two of which came on Saturday afternoon.  In addition to the 42-yard strike from Matt McGloin in the second quarter, the duo connected on a third and goal play for a nine-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

"I had the same route as I did in the last game (vs. Illinois) on the first one," said Moye, who finished with three receptions for 81 yards on Saturday.  "Basically, I ran right by him (the corner) and Matt threw a perfect pass.  I just had to make the catch.  The second one was just a fade to the corner of the end zone and I just made a play on the ball."

Moye's superb blend of size and speed give the junior a big advantage in the passing game.  He has the speed to run past defensive backs, like he mentioned.  Additionally, Moye can be a possession receiver when he needs to be.  He is a significant weapon the Penn State offense needs to use consistently.

Following a road victory on Saturday, the Nittany Lions now transition into a big week of preparations for Michigan.  Saturday's 33-21 triumph is the confidence boost the Lions have been looking for.

"It gives us a lot of confidence," Lynn said.  "We look at the second half as a six-game season.  We are trying to go 6-0 in the second half and put the first half behind us."

Stay tuned each week for the "Faces of the Game" series following every game this fall.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Behind a strong offensive effort, the Nittany Lions returned home on Saturday night following a 33-21 victory over Minnesota.

The Lions arrived back in State College shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday night.  It was great to see a flight home full of smiles after a strong outing during balmy afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium.  We had our camera rolling during postgame.  Take a look at some video comments from Coach Paterno and a few players after the victory.

Penn State now shifts focus towards Michigan.  (The final scoreboard at TCF Bank Stadium below.)

Click Here for More Photos from Minnesota on the Gameday Photo Blog

Stay tuned tomorrow for the All-Sports Blog's Faces of the Game feature from the Minnesota game.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Welcome back to the live in-game coverage on the Football Blog.  We are excited to bring you live coverage from TCF Bank Stadium today.

9:47 a.m. CT - Good Morning from TCF Bank Stadium

Welcome to Penn State-Minnesota gameday inside TCF Bank Stadium.  After a superb tour of the newest stadium this morning in the Big Ten, we are now in the press box eager for today's kickoff.  The Nittany Lions departed the team hotel this morning at 8:36 a.m.  The squad arrived at the stadium shortly after 8:45, which is a little earlier than usual for a road game.  The Lions are ready to get back to work.  Stay tuned for plenty of updates today.

9:55 a.m. CT - Weather Update

The late-week forecasts for today in Minneapolis called for a 70 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the mid-50s for today's game.  It is currently 56 degrees with 76 percent humidity.  Conditions remain dry at the moment.  There is a 60 percent chance of showers, but the radar looks very favorable at the moment.  The special teams units for both teams are beginning to take the field for warmups.

10:10 a.m. CT - Fantastic Facility

After touring TCF Bank Stadium this morning, it belongs in the top tier of stadiums in America.  The facility is immaculate.  From the more than 8,000 block M logos branded throughout the facility to the 65-yard long Minnesota locker room, it is a superb place for a college football game.  The sightlines are tremendous from every corner of the stadium.  TCF Bank Stadium opened in 2009.  Ironically, the second newest stadium in the Big Ten is Beaver Stadium, which opened in 1960.

10:50 a.m. CT - Final Pregame Thoughts

It is just about time for kickoff in Minneapolis.  The Nittany Lions appeared to be more vocal than usual during pregame warmups.  The key is setting the tone early with a physical approach in the running game.  Look for a healthy dose of Evan Royster this afternoon.  We are headed down to the field to get some images for the photo blog.  We will be back to update from the field at the half.  The weather remains cloudy, but dry.

12:50 p.m. CT - Thoughts from the Field

Needless to say, Penn State's passing game was impressive in the first half.  Freshman QB Rob Bolden connected on his first nine passes and went 11-of-13 for 130 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with an injury.  Matt McGloin then tossed a perfect long ball to Derek Moye for a 42-yard score in front of the Minneapolis skyline at the back of the north end zone.  Penn State tallied 219 total yards in the first half, 184 of which came through the air.  Scoring 21 points in the half is certainly a confidence boost.  Let's see if the Lion defense can step up in the second half.

12:55 p.m. CT - Play of the Half

Although the trio of touchdowns put 21 points on the board, the play of the half came on D'Anton Lynn's interception in the end zone and 58-yard return along the Penn State sidelines.  One play later, McGloin found Moye for the third touchdown.  Lynn's interception was a huge swing in momentum.

1 p.m. CT - Bolden Injury Update

Penn State QB Rob Bolden took a blow to the head on the first down rush mid-way through the second quarter.  The Penn State medical staff has reported that he left the game as a precaution.

1:10 p.m. CT - Minnesota Strikes First in Second Half

The Golden Gophers came out of the locker room with a strong drive on the ground.  Adam Weber capped the 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive with a 4-yard TD pass to Da'Jon McKnight.  Penn State's offense will now take the field.  Kevin Newsome will lead the Lions onto the field at QB. 

1:14 p.m. CT - Wagner Good from 49 Yards

A six-play, 33-yard drive from Kevin Newsome and the Nittany Lions was capped with a 49-yard field goal from Collin Wagner.  Wagner had plenty of room to spare on the kick into the north end zone.  He has now made a field goal in eight straight games and is 14-16 on the season.  His kick put the Lions up by two scores (24-14) mid-way through the third quarter.

1:35 p.m. CT - Defense Holds on Fourth Down

With a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lion defense made a big stop on fourth and 10 for Minnesota inside Penn State territory.  Despite yielding 321 yards, the Nittany Lion defense has done a good job keeping the Gophers from putting points on the board.  Granted Minnesota has visited the end zone twice, but the defense has done a pretty good job this afternoon.  Now, the Nittany Lion offense needs a long, sustained drive ending in the end zone.  Both Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin have played this half.

1:45 p.m. CT - Redd Carries Lions Into Red Zone, McGloin and Moye Add a TD

Back-to-back 20-plus yard runs from freshman Silas Redd sent the Nittany Lions deep into Minnesota territory on Penn State's opening drive of the fourth quarter.  Redd was a step away from breaking both scampers for six points.  Nonetheless, Matt McGloin found Derek Moye on a fade pattern in the corner of the south end zone to give the Lions a commanding 31-14 lead on a third down connection.  Moye made a superb play on the ball with good defense from the Gopher secondary.

1:52 p.m. CT - Still Tallies Safety

Like we talked about in the gameday preview story, Penn State needed to put pressure on Weber this afternoon.  Devon Still and the trench men have done a nice job getting into the backfield.  And now the group made a big play.  Still just tallied his first career safety on a sack to give the Lions a 33-14 lead. 

1:55 p.m. CT - Heading to the Field and Media Room

Thank you for following along this afternoon from Minnesota.  We are heading down to the field and then into the media room for postgame reaction before the flight home.  It was a great effort today by the Lions without starting QB Rob Bolden for nearly three quarters.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Welcome back to the GoPSUsports.com Gameday Photo Blog. This week, we are in Minneapolis for Penn State-Minnesota inside the new TCF Bank Stadium.

The Penn State buses lined up at Lasch Building set to depart for the University Park Airport.


Penn State boarded the charter 737 shortly before 3 p.m. ET in University Park.


The Nittany Lions arrived in sunny and warm Minneapolis just after 4 p.m. CT.


TCF Bank Stadium's exterior.


Inside the TV booth at TCF Bank Stadium.


The on-site sports museum inside the stadium.


The indoor club level, complete with a fire place.


The spacious concourse at TCF Bank Stadium, which includes a great view of the field.


The stadium tour included a stop at the Minnesota locker room, which is 65 yards long.


Minnesota QB Adam Weber's locker.


Inside the locker room.


Linebacker Bani Gbadyu on the field.


The Nittany Lions on the field.


The TCF Bank Stadium scoreboard.


TCF Bank Stadium.


Assistant coaches Larry Johnson and Kermit Buggs.


Chaz Powell.


Penn State helmet.


Derek Moye.


Pregame warm ups.


Pregame warm ups.


The defense lined up for a play deep in Minnesota territory.


Derek Moye


The Penn State offense lined up in the first half.


First half action.



A picture that needs no description.


Rob Bolden dropping back to pass.


The offense taking a snap.


The view from the press box.


Inside the press box.


The final scoreboard was a pleasant sight for the Nittany Lions.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (3-3, 0-2) kicks off the second half of its season on Saturday with a clash against Minnesota (1-6, 0-3).

For the past two weeks, the Nittany Lions have worked to get back on track after a pair of losses to open the Big Ten season.  A spirited couple weeks on the practice field has boosted the confidence level around the locker room.  Now, it is time to see how the Lions go about carrying that momentum onto the field at TCF Bank Stadium in a crucial game for Penn State's Big Ten season.

Kicking off the final six weeks with a strong outing in Minneapolis is critical for the Nittany Lions' confidence level.  Penn State returns to the field following a bye week with six long weeks of football yet to be played.  There is a significant opportunity on the table for the Nittany Lions to finish the 2010 season in a strong manner.  However, it starts with execution and intensity in Minneapolis.

Welcome to the Minnesota Gameday Preview.

What to Watch For: Penn State

1.  Minnesota ranks dead last in the Big Ten rushing defense statistics.  The Golden Gophers yield more than 201 yards on the ground per game.  Needless to say, the Nittany Lion offense must establish its running game.  Penn State ranks No. 10 in rushing offense, but this is the week to take a big step forward.  Evan Royster and Stephfon Green are due for a big game.  Things start with physical play up front.  The offensive line needs a dominant afternoon to inject some confidence into the group.  If the running game gets going, things will open up for Rob Bolden and the Lion receiving corps.  Keep an eye on the trench play, though.  A big day on the ground is a focal point for the Lions.

2.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions face off with talented Gopher QB Adam Weber, who members of the Penn State secondary said this week has one of the strongest arms of anyone on the schedule.  Getting pressure on Weber will disrupt the timing of the Minnesota passing game.  Despite not quite being back to full strength on the defensive line, the Nittany Lions have plenty of dangerous players capable of getting into the backfield.  Watch for the linebacker unit.  Penn State is much healthier on defense this week. Like we said on offense, the key for the Lions is to play physical.

3.  With two weeks on the practice field, it will be interesting to see if the Lions use any new wrinkles in the game plan (on both sides of the ball).  But, as we have talked about numerous times this week, intensity level, execution and consistency have been points of emphasis during the off week.  Penn State has spent two weeks hammering home the fact that it needs to bring more fire to the field.  How that translates over to the field on Saturday will be very interesting to watch.  It certainly appears as though the Lions have plenty of motivation for Saturday's game.

1.  At the top of the list for Minnesota is how the Gophers respond to the mid-season coaching change.  Interim head coach Jeff Horton has made it quite clear all week that the Gophers have nothing to lose.  It will be very interesting to see how confident the squad plays with a brand new head coach.  The coaching change has injected some life into a squad coming into Saturday with a 0-5 home record.  Horton is saying all of the right things to get his team motivated.  A loose, energetic Gopher squad has the potential to be very dangerous for the Nittany Lions.  Nonetheless, it is hard to change the level of execution overnight.

3. On defense, Minnesota must hold Penn State's running game in check.  If the Nittany Lions are able to find a nice rhythm on the ground and control the time of possession, it will be a long afternoon for the Gophers.  Slowing down the running game will force Penn State into third and long situations, which is what Minnesota wants to do.  However, the Minnesota defense has allowed more than 414 yards per game this fall.  Another outing like that will make things quite difficult for the Gophers on Saturday.

Penn State - Possible: Jack Crawford (foot), Andrew Dailey (neck/shoulder), Ban Gbadyu (calf), Jordan Hill (ankle), Gerald Hodges (leg), Michael Mauti (ankle) Doubtful: Brandon Beachum (knee) OUT: Curtis Drake (leg), Lou Eliades (knee), Gary Gilliam (knee), Eric Latimore (wrist), Nick Sukay (pectoral), Andrew Szczerba (back)

Minnesota - No published injury report

The Game:

Kickoff: 11:01 a.m. CT

TV: ESPNU, Rob Stone (Play-by-play), David Pollack (Analyst)

Radio: Penn State Sports Network, Steve Jones (play-by-play), Jack Ham (color)

Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805), FieldTurf

Coaches: Joe Paterno - 45th year - 397-132-3 overall record

Jeff Horton - 1st game at Minnesota (6th year overall) - 0-0 (20-48 overall)

The Series: Penn State leads 7-4

Note of the Week:

TCF Bank Stadium, which opened in 2009, will be the 65th different stadium Joe Paterno has coached in.

The Final Word:

Minnesota has talented offensive personnel and a head coach preaching that the team has nothing to lose, but Saturday's game boils down to the Nittany Lions.  Penn State has used two weeks to prepare for the 1-6 Golden Gophers.  The Lions have regrouped and refocused on the practice field.  Now, it is time for Penn State to execute on Saturday.  The Nittany Lions need to step onto the field ready to throw the first punch.  Being physical from the opening snap forward will set the tone for the afternoon.  Dictating the tempo of the game with hard-nosed play in the trenches will open things up on both sides of the ball.  As Coach Paterno has said, it is time for the Lions to start making some big plays.  Penn State has spent two weeks looking in the mirror.  It is now time to find out what the Lions are made of.  (Keep an eye on the weather.  Forecasts are calling for a 70 percent chance of rain throughout the game on Saturday.)

Follow the Blog on Saturday in Minneapolis and on Twitter @ twitter.com/GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With the Nittany Lions back in action this week, let's take a look around the Big Ten matchups for week eight.  Michigan is the lone team around the conference on a bye this week.  Get your TVs ready early with four noon kickoffs in the Big Ten on Saturday.

Indiana at Illinois - Noon - Big Ten Network

Indiana (4-2, 0-2) heads to Champaign for an intriguing matchup with the Fighting Illini (3-3, 1-2).  The Illini posted a 20-point victory in Beaver Stadium two weeks ago.  Last week, they suffered a 20-point loss to Michigan State.  With bowl aspirations, Illinois can ill afford a second straight loss against the Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon.  Indiana's inconsistent play defense should give Nathan Scheelhaasse, Mikel LeShoure and the Illini rushing attack opportunities to move the ball and put points on the board.  Illinois will have its hands full slowing down Ben Chappell's passing attack.  Illinois head coach Ron Zook labeled Chappell as the best quarterback Illinois has faced in the Big Ten.  However, the Illinois defense will be the difference in Saturday's clash at Memorial Stadium.

No. 7 Michigan State at Northwestern - Noon - ESPN

The undefeated Michigan State Spartans (7-0, 3-0) head to Ryan Field off to their best start since 1966.  Northwestern has spent the last two weeks preparing for the Spartans after a disappointing home loss to Purdue.  Dan Persa and the pass-happy Wildcat offense will need to put points on the board against the nation's 17th best scoring defense.  Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins has made all of the big plays this season, and the Spartan rushing attack spearheaded by Edwin Baker has been superb. Northwestern will keep this game close, but the Spartans have a lot riding on it with a trip to Iowa on tap for next week.

Purdue at No. 10 Ohio State - Noon - Big Ten Network

The 10th ranked Buckeyes (6-1, 2-1) have revenge on their minds as they take on Purdue (4-2, 2-0) inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday.  Ohio State dropped last season's game in West Lafayette.  The Buckeyes are also coming off a tough loss to Wisconsin.  Needless to say, OSU has plenty of motivation leading up to Saturday's clash with the Boilers.  Look for a balanced offensive performance from Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes.  Purdue's inexperienced secondary will have its hands full with DeVier Posey and company.  On the other side of the ball, freshman Rob Henry will see the best defense of his short career (even with Ohio State's injuries).  Despite Purdue's confidence, look for an angry Ohio State squad to set the tone early.

No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 15 Iowa - 3:30 p.m. - ABC (Regional); ESPN (Outer Market)

The Big Ten game of day will take place at Kinnick Stadium.  Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1) heads to Iowa City with a huge momentum boost after knocking off then-No. 1 Ohio State.  Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0) continue to go about their business in conference play.  This game will be won in the trenches.  Watching Iowa's talented defensive front battle Wisconsin's offensive line will be entertaining.  Both running games will tally their fair share of yardage.  But the player to keep an eye on is Ricky Stanzi.  The senior quarterback has been terrific thus far in 2010.  Stanzi is ranked No. 3 in the nation in pass efficiency (13 TD, 2 INT and 180.5 Efficiency).  Wisconsin's rushing attack of John Clay and James White will be heard from, but Stanzi, Marvin McNutt, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and the Iowa passing attack is poised for a big afternoon.  Nonetheless, turnovers and the trench battle will decide this marquee matchup.

By Kelsey Detweiler, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions have struggled more than usual against some of their opponents on the road this season.  In fact, all four of the team's losses have been matches played outside of the confinements of Rec Hall. However, a solid performance and a crucial win at Ohio State was a big confidence boost for Penn State.

On Wednesday night, the Nittany Lions swept the Buckeyes, 3-0. Although Ohio State came out swinging, Penn State was swinging harder.

Senior middle hitter Blair Brown led the team with 13 kills on the night, followed by senior middle hitter Arielle Wilson and freshman outside hitter Deja McClendon with nine kills each. McClendon also had a team-high nine digs to compliment senior libero and defensive specialist Alyssa D'Errico and sophomore setter Kristin Carpenter's eight digs a piece on defense. Carpenter kept the offense moving nicely with 35 assists for the evening.

With Wednesday night's win, the Nittany Lions improved their record to 16-4 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play.  A team that has dominated its competition at home, Penn State has been working on building the same reputation on the road.

Senior middle blocker Fatima Balza was especially excited about defeating Ohio State.

"Finally we were on the road and we performed as well as we were thinking that we were going to," said Balza. "It feels so good you know. It's like it wasn't joking, and it was like finally we did it. We're on the right track right now and now we just have to keep it up and keep doing what we're doing."

Balza said that the team really came together on Wednesday night and played as a unit rather than a group of loose individuals. She said that the Nittany Lions were looking to make a statement and win a volleyball match at the same time.

Kristin Carpenter could not agree more with Balza that the win on the road was a great one.

"It was a lot of fun," said Carpenter. "I mean of course, any team in the Big Ten is tough this year so their fans the atmosphere, it was incredible. We love playing at Ohio State because we know they're going to give us a challenge - they're going to push us to our limits. It was so much fun and it was so good to finally you know, we were away and we played well and we swept them."

Despite the important win for the books, the Nittany Lions committed 12 attack errors and 10 service errors on the evening.  Carpenter said that serving and hitting is something that is second nature to the Nittany Lions, it just needs to keep improving.

"That's one thing that we actually work on every day in practice so it should be getting better," Carpenter said about the team's hitting and serving errors.  "...It's one of those things - a lot of it has to do with focus, and if you would have heard all of the things the fans were saying it was ridiculous.  I don't know if it was a lack of focus or just us personally with confidence, a lot of factors tie into those errors that are definitely unnecessary."

With the errors behind them and a crucial road win added to their record, the traveling Nittany Lions take on Northwestern on Saturday at 8 p.m. The Wildcats are 15-4 overall this season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. Like Penn State, Northwestern has also struggled on the road, suffering all four losses this season at opponents' home territories.

Balza feels good about the way the Nittany Lions played on Wednesday, and is ready for the Wildcats.

"Northwestern definitely has a few seniors on the court and they are good - they're a good team this year," said Balza. "For Saturday we're just expecting to do exactly the same thing and play even better."

Carpenter thinks that Penn State's win at Ohio State will help the team to step up against Northwestern this weekend.

"I think winning at Ohio State, it was a huge confidence booster," said Carpenter. "Ohio State was kind of in the same boat as us in how they lost when they were away and they were dominant at home and all these things, so knowing we can beat Ohio State at their home was like wow, we can beat anyone at their home."

By Mark Wishnia, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK Pa. - After a tough loss to No. 6 Ohio State, the Penn State field hockey team bounced back on a brisk Tuesday with a big 4-1 win over the Bucknell Bison to set the Nittany Lions up for a big weekend in Happy Valley.

The Nittany Lions' enthusiasm began early, even before the game began. With the scoreboard clock reading 26 minutes until game time, head coach Charlene Morett called her team into the middle of the field for a brief huddle. It was all smiles as the team was preparing for their matchup against their in-state rival Bison. The team was joking around and having a good time. One apparent quirky remark painted a big smile on Morett's face and nearly knocked her over, forcing her to use assistant coach Lisa Bervinchak-Love's shoulder as support.

Hannah Allison got things started early in the game with a goal from a pass by Kelsey Amy with just over 14 minutes to go in the first half. Allison was in the right place at the right time.

"I knew Kelsey was a speed demon and would just get up the field, [so I got up the field] as fast as I could," Allison said. "I figured if she missed I'd be there and if she scored it would look good for her so I just wanted to clean up anything she didn't score on, so just right place right time."

Despite only one goal in the first half, the Nittany Lions were able to add to their total with three goals in the second half. Allison says that was a big confidence boost.

"It's definitely good for us," Allison said. "Confidence-wise it makes a big difference to know that we can score four goals in a game, to know that we can even score three goals in a half.  Just knowing we can do the little things like speed of pass, just connecting, talking communicating can really make a big difference so it definitely helps us and I think just all around the field we can make a big difference especially going into a big weekend with Duke and Princeton."

A big weekend with Duke and Princeton it is. The Nittany Lions host No. 17 Duke on Saturday and then play No. 5 Princeton on Sunday. At Ohio State, the Nittany Lions appeared to lack intensity. But the team fired back on Tuesday and plan to carry that momentum into the weekend.  Head coach Charlene Morett was enthusiastic about her team's performance.

"In the first half against Ohio State we really just did a lot of standing," Morett said. "I mean credit to Ohio State, but you know I felt everybody was just asking for the ball. We had a great practice [Monday] just coming off a loss. I was really proud of the way they practiced and I think they took what they did in practice into the game [on Tuesday]."

Junior midfielder Jess Longstreth had a pair of goals in the win over the Bison and spoke of the importance of the win.

"It's really important actually that we ended on a positive note so we can start this weekend on a positive note," Longstreth said.

Morett also expressed the importance of the win.

"I think it's real important [going into the weekend] with a win," Morett said. "It's really important going in with the way we've been playing, with just the speed we've been playing with and the ball control. I thought the three midfielders really made a big difference in the game today."

Speed and ball control have been points of emphasis for Penn State all year. It will be of utmost importance this weekend. After their final two home games of the season, the Nittany Lions finish off the year at Northwestern. A strong finish is crucial for Penn State's NCAA Tournament implications.

The thrilling weekend begins Saturday afternoon vs. Duke at noon. The Lions finish off their sixth home season at the current Field Hockey complex on Sunday against No. 5 Princeton at 3 p.m.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For weeks, Coach Paterno has publicly stated that he wants to see the Nittany Lions make a few more big plays.

Whether it be a clutch reception, converting a pivotal first down or forcing a crucial turnover, the Hall of Fame head coach feels like the Lions just aren't making big plays when they need to.  Penn State has shown glimpses of big-play potential on both sides of the ball this fall, but the consistency necessary to make a run in the Big Ten has been missing thus far in 2010.

Over the past few weeks, I have talked to numerous players about this very subject.  Everyone on the depth chart wants to make big plays, and it is not for lack of effort.  They want to make a difficult catch or bust a short run into a touchdown.  They want to fend off a block to tally a crucial sack or force a fumble to set up an offensive drive.  Penn State has practiced very well and made plenty of plays on the fields adjacent to Lasch Building throughout the fall, as Coach Paterno has mentioned numerous times when speaking with the media.

But for whatever reason, the crisp effort on the practice field has just not consistently translated over to the game environment on Saturdays.  The Nittany Lion offense is full of playmakers capable of putting points on the board.  The personnel in the skill positions on the offense is nearly identical to the group from 2009, with the exception of the tight end and quarterback positions.  Needless to say, the group has not forgotten how to make plays.

It boils down to one thing: Confidence.  When a player is able to haul in a difficult reception or break a long run, he begins to believe that he can do it again.  And when the rest of the team sees a teammate make a big play, it begins to believe it can do the same.

From there, things begin to snowball.

For the past two weeks, the Nittany Lions have regrouped on the practice field.  Sophomore wide out Justin Brown even said this week that the team, essentially, spent time "finding itself" at practice last week.

The coaches went back to the basics last week by stripping the first and second team players of their colored practice jerseys to put everyone on a level playing field.  When the players walked into the locker room for the first time last week and saw plain blue and white jerseys hanging in their lockers, it caught their attention.  Although the level playing field did not result in any lineup changes, the message from the coaching staff was received.

Penn State had three spirited practices last week, which included a Thursday scrimmage and a players-only team meeting.  The motivated effort at practice garnered a couple days off prior to Minnesota game week.  The fiery mentality has carried over into this week, and the team certainly looks and sounds ready to play on Saturday afternoon.

"When we got together that's what we talked about, playing with more energy," fullback Michael Zordich said.  "I think that will happen this week."

Safety Drew Astorino said that last week "rejuvenated" the squad.  The enthusiasm level has been high, and the Nittany Lions are itching to carry that over to Saturday's game.

"The last two weeks at practice, there's been guys making plays, guys jumping around, screaming and yelling," Zordich said.

Playing with a confident swagger is a trait the Nittany Lions need to bring to the field in Minneapolis.  Penn State needs to walk off the bus ready to throw the first punch.  Establishing that killer instinct from the opening play sets the tone for a game.

"The keys are just making plays," Zordich said.  "We need to make plays to get things going and I think we'll do that."

And making plays starts with confidence.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Nittany Lion men's soccer co-captain Andres Casais was back in the starting lineup on Wednesday night versus UMBC.  Casais, who usually plays in the middle of the back line, started at a new position; left outside back.  He has seen time at a few different positions this season and has played well in each role when asked.

"That's the type of guy he is, he'll do anything to help the team," said fellow defender Brian Forgue.  "I think that what a leader, that's what a captain does.  If they told him to play forward he would and he would do it to the best of his ability."

Casais has gone from the back line, to out of the starting lineup to the midfield and back to defense, all the while keeping a positive attitude and his teammates have noticed.

"He's very resilient, he realizes hell play wherever we need him, and we need him at left back," said co-captain Drew Cost.  "He's been positive the whole time, when came out for a couple games, he's always picking the team up and keeping us positive."

Casais came into Wednesday's non-conference game and looked like he did not miss a step, even with receiving minimal playing time recently.  The ability to come in at any time is important and it is created by hard work and mental toughness.

"He's staying mentally tough, he went through a spell where he didn't start didn't see the field a lot, he would come into different positions for minimal time," said Brian Forgue.  "The fact that he stayed in tune with his game and what the team was doing and working hard in training, that allowed him to come back in and not miss a beat."

The Nittany Lions' captain was happy to be back on the field and help contribute to the team.  As a captain, he is willing to do whatever coach Warming asks of him.

"It felt good, its been awhile since I've played in at left back its kind of different, it's a treat to be back on the field and help the team as best as possible," said Casais.   "As long as coach needs me, puts me wherever, ill try to the best that I can."

Coach Warming thinks left back is where Casais can help the team best and would like to see him continue to improve.  Andres had his hands full with UMBC's leading goal scorer Levi Houapeu, a player coach Warming says would beat a lot of defenders.

"It's the right place for him to be to help our team and to help us out there," said coach Warming.  "It's a little different defending out wide than it is in the middle."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a bye week, the Nittany Lions return to action on Saturday at Minnesota (Noon, ESPNU).

As we have talked about all week, Penn State is eager for a strong outing after a pair of losses prior to the bye.  GoPSUsports.com sat down with a pair of Nittany Lions inside the Lasch Football Building this week to get their thoughts leading up to the weekend trip to Minneapolis.

The scouting report kicked off with defensive tackle Devon Still.  Today, we move to the offensive side of the ball for a conversation with sophomore wide out Justin Brown.  The 6-3, 216-pound receiver has found a great deal of confidence in his second full season on the field.

Brown has tallied 13 receptions for 190 yards thus far in 2010.  The Delaware native is poised for a strong second half of the season.  A public relations major in the College of Communications, Brown has a superb blend of size and speed.  He wants to see the Lion offense establish a running game on Saturday to open things up in the passing attack.

Take a look at what Brown has to say about the Minnesota defense and the Nittany Lions as they prepare for Saturday's matchup.

Click Here for Devon Still's video scouting report of the Minnesota Offense.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions are back to game week preparations as they return to action on Saturday at Minnesota (Noon, ESPNU) following the bye week.

To say Penn State is eager to get back on the field in a game situation would be an understatement.  Following a week of rigorous practices, the Nittany Lions have a renewed sense of focus and determination this week as they prepare for the Golden Gophers.

GoPSUsports.com sat down with a pair of Nittany Lions inside the Lasch Football Building this week to get their thoughts leading up to the weekend trip to Minneapolis.  First up is a conversation with junior defensive tackle Devon Still.

The 6-5, 311-pound interior lineman will face off with a stout Minnesota offensive line on Saturday afternoon.  The Gophers field a group of men in the trenches averaging 6-5, 317 pounds.  Still wants to see the Lion defense play physical against the Gophers to slow down the Minnesota rushing attack.

Take a look at what Still has to say about Saturday's game with Minnesota and the progress of the Nittany Lion defense.

Stay tuned for another video scouting report tomorrow with Nittany Lion receiver Justin Brown.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Legendary head coach Joe Paterno never likes to label a game as a "must win", but Saturday's trip to Minnesota is a critical game for the Nittany Lions.

Following a week off, Coach Paterno walked into the Beaver Stadium media room (15 minutes early) on Tuesday afternoon eager to talk football with the more than 30 reporters gathered.  Following the setback to Illinois, Lions got back to work in a preseason camp-like atmosphere on the practice field last week.  Now, Coach Paterno is anxious to see how Penn State performs in a game situation on Saturday.

"I think we have got to play better, more consistent," Coach Paterno said.  "We have got to make some plays.  We have not made some plays that would have made us a little bit more competitive, whether it's catching the football, or other things."

Minnesota's mid-season coaching change was a topic of discussion on Tuesday afternoon.  Whether the Gophers will rally around interim head coach Jeff Horton remains to be seen, but how Minnesota plays on Saturday has no bearing on Penn State's level of execution. 

"I think we have got to worry about Penn State," Coach Paterno said.  "...I'm more worried about us than anybody else because there's nothing I can do about what's going to happen at Minnesota as regards to the new coach."

Penn State spent three days on the practice field during the bye week.  The first and second team jerseys were removed from the players' lockers all three days.  The coaching staff wanted to send a message to the Nittany Lions.  And the end result was a spirited week on the practice field, which even included a scrimmage on Thursday afternoon.

"I challenged the team," said Coach Paterno.  "I said, 'we have to make some plays.'  We have played enough football games now that we ought to be able to go out there and understand how the game is won.

The Nittany Lions have a great opportunity to finish the season on a high.  Six weeks of football is an eternity.  And the Hall of Fame head coach wants to see the Lions kick-start their season in Minneapolis.

"We have to have some people rise to the occasion, that's all," Coach Paterno said.  "And that will happen.  One of these day, we'll get a couple guys make some plays and they will start feeling good about themselves and they will bring some people with them."

Press Conference Nuggets:

- Positive News on the Injury Front:

Coach Paterno gave an update on the Penn State injury report at the press conference on Tuesday.  The Nittany Lions will receive a significant boost on the defensive side of the football this weekend.  Here is the injury report from Coach Paterno:

- Linebackers Michael Mauti (ankle) and Bani Gbadyu (knee) are both expected to return to the field on Saturday.  Additionally, linebacker Gerald Hodges (leg), who was injured on the opening kickoff at Alabama, returned to practice on Monday and is expected to play at Minnesota.

- Safety Andrew Dailey (stinger) will return to the field on Saturday.

- Defensive tackle Jordan Hill (ankle) is also expected to play on Saturday.

- Defensive ends Jack Crawford (foot) and Eric Latimore (wrist) will not return this week.  Crawford is close to returning to practice, but Coach Paterno said that he has not yet done so.  Latimore will be out a few more weeks with a broken wrist.

- Receiver Curtis Drake (leg) has not returned to the practice field.

- Changes in the Secondary

With the injury to Nick Sukay in the secondary, Coach Paterno noted that Drew Astorino has shifted to free safety.  Andrew Dailey has moved to strong safety.

- Chaz Powell Back on Defense

In addition to the changes at safety, Chaz Powell has moved back to the defensive side of the ball.  Powell met with Coach Paterno and asked to move back on defense.  The athletic junior has practiced as a second team cornerback throughout the past week.

- Coach Paterno on Rob Bolden's Progress:

"He's a true freshman.  And again, I keep going back to, we didn't have him in the spring.  Everything that comes up is new to him...But I think he's getting at that stage where now he's a guy that's got to make some plays, too.  I mean, I think we can say, okay, but he's not ‑‑ he's playing football now that he's got to start making some things happen.  Hopefully he will.  But I think he's done about as well as you can expect the kid."

Stay tuned for much more coverage leading up to Saturday's game at Minnesota.

Follow the Blog on Twitter @ twitter.com/GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion basketball team kicked off the 2010-'11 season on Friday afternoon with its first official practice.  On Monday, head coach Ed DeChellis and the Lions met the media inside the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State enters the season with four senior starters returning this winter.  The Lions are a determined group with high intensity leading up to the Nov. 12 season opener against Lehigh.  After spending the afternoon around the media day festivities, the All-Sports Blog has opened its notebook to take you inside Penn State men's hoops media day.

- 'One More Play'

The phrase used most often by the Lions around the main gym of the Bryce Jordan Center on Monday afternoon and throughout the offseason was "One More Play."  Penn State went 11-4 in games decided by six points or fewer during the 2008-'09 NIT championship season.  The Lions dropped 11 games during 2009-'10 by six points or fewer or in overtime.  The difference?  Penn State was unable to make the "big" play to close out tight games last season.  Finishing close games begins in the practice gym. The Nittany Lions spoke at great length on media day that the emphasis has been on finishing every drill with intensity.  Making "one more play" is on everyone's mind.  And getting over the hump in close ballgames is critical for the Nittany Lions this winter.

- Five-Practice Weekend

The Nittany Lions kicked off the practice season with five practices over a 48-hour span over the weekend.  Coach DeChellis is pleased with the team's progress thus far.  The most noticeable thing at practice has been the intensity level from the team.  From freshmen to the seniors, the Lions have a renewed sense focus.  Senior forward Andrew Jones talked about how much everyone is competing on the floor during practice.  Playing with a high intensity level at practice every day will translate over to gameday.  The Lions practiced on Monday.  They are off Tuesday before returning to the Jordan Center on Wednesday morning.

- Battle Leading Senior Starters

All eyes were on senior guard Talor Battle at media day.  The Albany, N.Y., native comes into the fall as the veteran leader of the program.  Battle, who ranks seventh on the Penn State all-time scoring list (1,526), is on the preseason Wooden Award Top 50 list.  Battle continues to refine his game heading into his final season at Penn State.  The senior has elevated his jump shot consistency and become a go-to leader in the huddle.  Battle is joined by fellow seniors Jeff Brooks, Andrew Jones and David Jackson in the starting lineup.  The group of veterans has great chemistry on and off the floor.  It is going to fun to watch the four senior leaders play together for the third straight season.  All four have set the team's goal this winter: Play in the NCAA Tournament.

- Looking at the Schedule

The road to the month of March will be a challenging one for the Nittany Lions.  The Lions open with Lehigh, who was picked to win the Patriot League this winter.  The non-conference slate also includes trips to Mississippi, Virginia Tech and a home clash with ACC power Maryland.  Coach DeChellis remarked that the challenging schedule will force the Lions to play at a high level from the opening tip forward.  Additionally, the Big Ten is being tabbed, by many experts, as the top conference in basketball this winter.  Penn State's conference slate opens at Indiana, at Michigan, vs. Purdue, vs. Michigan State, vs. Illinois, at Ohio State and at Purdue.  It will be a tough seven games to start the Big Ten season, but Coach DeChellis is confident the Lions can compete, night-in and night-out, with the conference's elite teams.

- Media Day Video

We spent the afternoon talking to head coach Ed DeChellis and a variety of players for their thoughts on the upcoming season.  Take a look at the Blog's media day video.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It's always great to kick off a week with a Penn State football game on Saturday.

It is a new week and a new beginning for the Nittany Lions as they prepare for game No. 7 on the 2010 schedule.  Following a much-needed bye week, the Lions return to game week preparations later this afternoon.  A trip to the new TCF Bank Stadium caps off the week, as the Lions take on a struggling Minnesota squad on Saturday afternoon (Noon on ESPNU).

It will be an interesting week for the Golden Gophers after head coach Tim Brewster was fired on Sunday following Minnesota's loss to Purdue on Saturday.  Minnesota was 1-6 under Brewster this fall, which included home losses South Dakota and Northern Illinois.

Minnesota Athletics Director Joel Maturi named co-offensive coordinator Jeff Horton the interim head coach for the rest of the season.  The Penn State communications office is currently scouring the archives, but it is believed that this will be the first time Penn State has played a team with a new coach in the middle of the season.

Nonetheless, the focus inside the Lasch Football Building is on execution and effort for the Blue and White as the Lions look to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses at Iowa and Minnesota.  Penn State's injury report continues to improve (Stay tuned for an update this week), which is critical leading up to Saturday's clash in Minneapolis.

Things were a little different than usual on the practice field last week.  Practice jerseys have a designated color based on where you are on the depth chart.  Last week, though, none of the colored jerseys were used.  The squad practiced in blue and white jerseys, signifying that every position on the depth chart was up for grabs.

The Lions responded quite well to the changes on the practice field following the home loss to Illinois.  Nonetheless, it is one thing to respond on the practice field and another to do so in the game.  The Lions need to practice with intensity every day this week and come out on fire at Minnesota.

Sending a message with a fast start on Saturday is an absolute must for Penn State.  The Nittany Lions have six weeks of football to play.  The rest of the season starts now.  It is time for the collective group to step up on Saturday afternoon.

Stay tuned all week for much more coverage leading up to Saturday's clash at Minnesota.

In the Notebook:

- The first set of BCS standings were released on Sunday evening.  Four Penn State opponents occupy spots in the Top 15, including Michigan State at No. 7, Alabama at No. 8, Ohio State at No. 10 and Iowa at No. 15.  Penn State, Michigan and Minnesota are the only three squads in the Big Ten with four opponents in the Top 15.

- Penn State continues to be the nation's leader in fewest penalty yards (21.8 avg.).  The Nittany Lions are No. 2 in the fewest penalties per game, as well (3.33 avg.).

- Penn State leads the all-time series with Minnesota, 7-4.  The Lions are 3-2 in games at Minneapolis.  This will be the first game in the series at TCF Bank Stadium, which opened in 2009.

By Kelsey Detweiler, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A crowd of more than 3,000 rose to their feet in Rec Hall as the No. 9 Nittany Lions took the floor on Friday night. Penn State came out of the locker rooms to warm up wearing throwback black and neon pink shirts. The first lyric of the warm-up music that rang throughout the building said, "It feels so good to back." The smiles on the faces of all of the Nittany Lions showed just how excited they were to be home.

After an unsuccessful weekend on the road, the No. 9 Nittany Lions bounced back from two consecutive losses and took both matches against Minnesota and Iowa this past weekend. Penn State now holds an impressive 90-game winning streak at Rec Hall. However, both head coach Russ Rose and the Nittany Lions agree that the team is still struggling to be the best that they can be.

Penn State defeated No. 19 Minnesota 3-1 on Friday night in front of a rowdy Nittany Lion crowd. Freshman outside hitter Deja McClendon had 17 kills on the night followed by senior middle hitter Blair Brown's 16 kills. The two "Aris" in senior middle hitter Arielle Wilson and freshman middle hitter Ariel Scott each posted nine kills to help the Nittany Lions dominate offensively. Senior libero and defensive specialist Alyssa D'Errico and Brown played solid defense marking 18 digs a piece, while Wilson and McClendon also shared a team-high four blocks.

Head coach Russ Rose was not overly impressed with the Nittany Lions' play, but he was glad that his team took a step in the right direction.

"I mean it was a much better effort in all the areas that were important to us," said Rose. "You're always pleased any time you get a victory, especially when you're coming off the weekend we had last weekend where we didn't play as well as we would have hoped."

Rose had a fan club of his own on Friday night. Students wore white t-shirts that said 'Russ' Rowdies' and congregated into a large student section - Rose couldn't help but notice.

"I'm just glad to be back home, to have a great crowd and the band is terrific and I think they do a great job," said Rose. "Everybody likes to be at home - we're not alone. It was nice to have a big crowd and I'm appreciative of all of our fans, especially the ones that come after the weekend we had last weekend."

The next evening, Penn State took on Iowa and swept them 3-0. However, the Nittany Lions let the 6-11 Hawkeyes have too much for coach Rose's liking. Penn State tallied ten hitting errors, eight service errors and two blocking errors in one evening.

"On our side of the net you know I thought we took a couple of steps forward yesterday and I thought we went the exact opposite direction today," said Rose. "We're having trouble with 'What's that thing?' - the overhand serve."

Rose was especially adamant about the need for improvement where serving is concerned.

"We've been a consistently bad serving team and now that's psychological," said Rose. "Because we weren't jump serving and hitting it hard, we were standing on the ground and not hitting it in so the girls will work on serving and maybe they'll get a little better at it."

Senior Blair Brown shared Rose's disappointment.

"I think that we need to concentrate on not taking steps back," said Brown. "I thought we played really well last night and had a lot of energy and we came in tonight and we were kind of flat."

Senior Alyssa D'Errico said that she was happy with the Nittany Lions' play on the weekend but not completely satisfied.

"I would rather not have to bounce back ever again," said D'Errico. "But I think that the way that we came out on the court and held our own and just proved that we're still a team that can play at a high level is what we needed to do."

The uncharacteristically high number of hitting errors and service errors also loomed harmful to the dynamic of the team both Friday and Saturday night. The Nittany Lions said that they were bickering on the court more than they would like because they were getting more frustrated than usual. Senior Arielle Wilson made it clear that the team needed to take out their frustration on their opponent, not their teammates.

"I think a lot of the time we get caught up in yelling at each other because we're frustrated and we haven't had to be the leaders of the team," said Wilson. "Now it's like, well where's that anger when we play other opponents - let's take it out on them and use it to bring energy."

Needles to say, head coach Russ Rose and his Nittany Lions have to some work to do. They will only have two days of practice before their next game Wednesday, October 20 at Big Ten competitor Ohio State. Senior Blair Brown put it best on Saturday night when she described what needs to be done before the Nittany Lions' next match.

"After tonight I think it will be easy for us to get back in the gym," said Brown. "We want to work on things in the gym. We want to get better and having a Wednesday game is a little different but you know every opponent is the same in the Big Ten - everybody is good."

By Steven Hughes,GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The Penn State women's soccer team rallied in a fighting fashion against the Wisconsin Badgers (7-4-4, 4-1-2 Big Ten) on Sunday, but an early two goal deficit proved too much for the Nittany Lions to overcome.

The Nittany Lions (6-8-1,4-2-0 Big Ten) comeback on Sunday began with a transition rush from Tani Costa. Costa's lead pass allowed Bri Garcia, Megan Monroig and  Danielle Toney to penetrate Wisconsin's last line of defense. Garcia placed a lead pass ahead of Wisconsin's back line of defense in the 37th minute to Megan Monroig, who slashed wide to create a window for a crossing pass.

The pass met a sprinting Toney who crashed into Wisconsin's goalie and redirected the ball's path. The chaos at net left the ball bouncing away from the hands of Wisconsin's goalie, but Costa seized a chance to score.

Costa chased down the slow-rolling ball and quickly turned to release a rushed shot that didn't have a full leg's kick behind it, but the desperate flick toward net was just fast enough to shrink Penn State's deficit to one before halftime.

"It felt amazing to get us back into the game," Costa said. "We felt really confident. We had no doubt in our minds we could win this game still."

Earlier in the half, Wisconsin played strong by maintaining possession and seizing opportunities. The Badgers' best chance came off a rising shot from Catie Sessions who fired the first goal of the afternoon past a leaping Krissy Tribbett in the 23rd minute.

The Nittany Lions tried to make life inside difficult for the Badgers, but Sessions continued to put her name in the scorecard just nine minutes later.

Sessions launched a curving pass into the teeth of the Nittany Lion defense where her teammate, Laurie Nosbuch, was jostling for position. Nosbuch won the battle and giving Wisconsin its second goal of the half.

However Penn State was very familiar with adversity. Penn State rallied to upset no. 15 Minnesota 2-1 on Friday, so the Lions believed they could stage another comeback against Wisconsin. A physical second half made a comeback even more difficult for Penn State.

Bri Hovington and a Wisconsin player butted heads while jumping to establish possession for their teammates. Hayley Brock got tangled with a Badger defender while jostling for position and took awkward fall with the defender crashing down on top of her.

Penn State's best chance and equalizing goal to finish the comeback came in the 77th minute. Maya Hayes who failed to convert on three great opportunities against Minnesota, leapt into the air in celebration after finally capturing an elusive goal.

"It literally felt like the monkey jumped off my back in that moment," Hayes said.

Hayes and Penn State could only celebrate the joy of a comeback for less than a minute though, because Wisconsin's Kodee Williams scored the winning goal that halted all of Penn State's momentum for the rest of the game.

Head Coach Erica Walsh said the Wisconsin goal happened so quickly because the Nittany Lions were distracted by the joy of a comeback.

"I think that it was a complete mental breakdown," Walsh said. "We had 45 seconds to enjoy a comeback and I think we did exactly that."

Emma Thomson said the loss was tough for Penn State to swallow after working the entire game to come back.

"It's kinda like a kick in the teeth," Thomson said. "It brings you down a little bit after the high of the equalizer."

Costa said even though Penn State played well by showing their fighting mentality, a loss is still hard to accept.

"We worked so hard to try and get a lead back," she said. We just let a little goal in and mistakes like that we have to work hard to fix. I don't know, it's just frustrating."

Walsh said it's been a frustrating season because the Nittany Lions slow start gave Penn State no room for error the rest of the season as the Lions pursue a 13th straight Big Ten title.

"I'm disappointed because there just haven't been enough games," she said. "Today we're just starting to come around and start to play. My disappointment isn't in this team or any streak or Big Ten, it's just that you want your team to play and perform, and we today we didn't play and perform."

Hayes said all the Nittany Lions can do is take the loss and prepare for the next game.

"Don't let up on anything, go hard in practice," Hayes said. "We want to get that winning feeling back like we've had the last three games."

By Kaitlyn Knopp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Vibrant colored shoes and jerseys flap in the October wind as cross country racers from No. 1-ranked women's team Villanova and men's14th-ranked Syracuse team practice sprints to the starting line beside the Nittany Lions' navy and white forms.

The Penn State National, held on the Blue and White Golf Courses, pitted the Nittany Lion men and women cross country team against elite competition, leading to a conclusion of the men's team finishing second at the meet, and the women finishing in third.

Heading of the pack for men were Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally, juniors, who placed in second and third, respectively. Dawson finished mere seconds behind first place finisher Terefe Ejigu from Eastern Michigan, with McNally on his heels, four seconds behind. The Nittany Lions are currently ranked as 30th in the NCAA and are now into postseason events and headed towards the Big Ten Championships.

"On the men's side we had a tremendous run," Director of Track and Field/Cross Country and Head Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said of Dawson and McNally's times. "We raced very, very well."

The women's number one finisher was Brooklyne Ridder, who took 20th overall for the team, with Caitlin Lane in second at 25th overall.

"We still had a really good pack which has really worked for us so far," Lane said of the race. Lane said that considering the rankings, she also felt the team did really well against the No. 1 and No. 7-ranked teams in the nation.

Lane further impressed the importance of the team working together, saying it is a main focus at practices. Huddled in a black jacket post-race, brown hair swept back, she surveyed the finish line where the last of the women's finishers were still wandering.

"If we're not building each other up, no one will win," Lane said.

Both Sullivan and Lane could not speak more of the teams practicing, which they both felt led to the successful finishes in the race.

"I think practice is everything," Sullivan said, looking over to beam at her stretching racers. She said that holding onto third for the women's team was what they needed to achieve at this race, while the men's team surpassed expectations.

"[Today's race] went great," Sullivan said. "Both teams have been running very inspired, very competitively."

By Steven Hughes, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Time was against the Nittany Lions with 20 minutes to play Friday night against Minnesota, but Penn State pushed forward.

Penn State (6-7-1, 4-1-0 Big Ten) lost a couple tough one goal games earlier this season, but last week's road comeback against Northwestern showed the team they could come back, and on Friday night they did to defeat No. 15 Minnesota (10-3-2, 2-2-1).

Taylor Schram saw a chance with Penn State trailing 1-0 in the 73rd minute when her defender failed to track her, so she said she pushed the line and called for a pass. Danielle Toney's perfect pass with the wind aiding her touch skied to Schram, who jumped into the air to knock in a brilliant header from six yards away.

"I just went up and hoped for the best," Schram said. "The goalie actually tipped the ball and it hit the post and then went in, so I was like go, go, go."

When Schram came off the field, Coach pulled Schram over to her and gave her a hug.

"She said she was proud of me and it was awesome," Schram said. "I can't stop smiling, I'm still smiling right now about the goal."

The game was tied for slightly less than three minutes when Penn State found another chance to regain control of the game for good. Christine Nairn lofted a corner kick into Minnesota's box where Maddy Evans headed the ball into the net.

Evans was so excited that she sprinted from in front of Minnesota's goal across the field to the Penn State sidelines with a stampede of her teammates chasing her to celebrate her first goal of the season.

"To be honest, nothing was going through my head at that point," Evans said. "I don't know I just started sprinting. It was pure excitement. I definitely wanted to be with the whole team for it."

Penn State head coach Erica Walsh said it was great to see Evans score on a header because she worked so tirelessly on it in practice all week.

"To see her smile after she scored that winning goal it was the best feeling in the world," Walsh said.  "She deserved it and they all deserved it. I'm just really happy for them."

The Nittany Lions had to scratch and claw their way through a chilly and gusty night of possession dictated play to stage their monumental comeback. Penn State chose to play against the elements that aided Minnesota in the first half, hoping to use it to assist the Nittany Lions in the second half.

However Penn State didn't need help from the wind to start the game. Despite strong winds that relentlessly pushed south against Penn State, Ali Schaefer and Danielle Toney forced Minnesota to dig in on defense.

Schaefer fired a curving blast from a difficult angle shortly after the game was under way. Although Minnesota's goalie was able to corral the beautiful shot destined for the net, Schaefer said her chance set the tempo for Penn State.

"It was just in my perfect spot," Schaefer said. "If I could pick a spot to shoot a ball it would be top of the 18, left footed shot. I thought it was going in, but it didn't.  It definitely raised the level of play in the first minute."

With less than three minutes to play until halftime, Penn State appeared to survive the first 45 minutes of a possession-oriented duel.  But in the 42nd minute of the first half Penn State gave up its first goal of the night to the Golden Gophers' Steph Brandt who headed in a rainbow shot from the left wing over Penn State goalie Krissy Tribbett into the back right corner of net.

Despite the late goal in the first half, both Penn State players and coach Walsh knew they could respond to defeat Minnesota because just a week earlier they sprouted a 2 goal rally to beat Northwestern on the road.

Nittany Lions Co-Captain Megan Monroig said the experience was huge for Penn State and the confidence it gave them showed itself at halftime.

"Everybody started talking right away," she said. "Going against the wind, and these are pretty strong winds, we were pretty happy with our first half performance. We did a good job killing time against the wind and we actually kept the ball against the wind which was good. We were just gonna go back out and keep fighting like we were gonna win this game and we did."

Monroig was inserted into the starting lineup to start the second half for Penn State. Monroig's effort and grit allowed Penn State to rake the ball deep into enemy territory. Evans said Monroig's never-quit attitude brings more out of the team.

"She was our spark on the outside and we needed that," Evans said. "She was sending in great balls and created so many chances for us. If she can continue to do that I feel like we'll have plenty of assists."

Walsh said she felt a different feeling of confidence in her Nittany Lions after they responded to the difficult adversity of September's tough loss to Dartmouth. She said her players are united and committed.

"This is a deep team," Coach Walsh said. "This team is 25 players deep right now and their commitment to each other is probably our best strength,"

Penn State hosts Wisconsin (6-4-5, 3-2-1) on Sunday at noon at Jeffrey Field.

By Kaitlyn Knopp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Hosting one postseason event is a challenge for any athletic department in college athletics.  Imagine hosting at least nine postseason events in one calendar season.

The Penn State Events Office has that challenge in 2010-'11.

"It's long hours, it's late nights, early mornings, sometimes holidays," Assistant Athletic Director Jennifer James said. "You have to love sports."

James has worked at Penn State for 15 years, and is a main organizer for sporting events on campus.  She started out as the women's basketball manager, before going through a myriad of positions that led to her placement in the Penn State Athletic Department where she now plays a direct role in planning NCAA and major sporting events.

James' job means she handles everything from placing teams in hotels, to handling security and budgets, to placing bids for future hosting opportunities at Penn State.

With at least nine NCAA and Big Ten events being hosted at Penn State this year, two of which fall on the same weekend, James has a lot of work ahead of her.

"We've already had meetings with our staff, pretty much laying the ground work, so they kind of know what to expect." James said. "We've already started our planning."

James' staff consists of 10-15 full-time employees or interns, who work on a constantly changing budget.

"You had to work the formula based on the number of people you think will come in, what the ticket sales are, figure that," James said.  "And then add all your costs and make sure your revenue is higher than your expenditures."

James explained this is an NCAA rule, and extra revenue doesn't go to Penn State; rather, Penn State receives and honorarium, and the NCAA simply makes sure all of the schools' costs are covered.

Costs often include staffing events, security, janitorial, providing tents or tables, concessions, printing programs and tickets, and hosting the multitude of teams, adding to a large bill.

"It's not like the NCAA is just sitting there bank rolling," James said.  "[The extra revenue] will go back towards the championships in some form or another."

Events on the University Park campus this year include Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament, NCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country Mid-Atlantic Regionals, NCAA Women's Volleyball Regionals, NCAA Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds and NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships.

In addition to the collegiate events, Penn State will be Pennsylvania high school sports central, as well.  University Park will host PIAA Boys' and Girls' Basketball Championships, PIAA Boys' Volleyball Championships, PIAA Baseball Championships, and PIAA Softball Championships.  The list will likely grow when the postseason plans for numerous Penn State teams are announced.

With all of these major events, some weekends hosting up to 70 teams at one time, James said it's nice to have people who put in extra effort to make the experience special.

"For men's volleyball, we have a great working relationship with the Atherton (Hotel), and they will actually hold all four teams for us," James said. "Annemarie Swineford, the salesperson, she actually does a fantastic job. She decorates the lobby of each floor in school colors - it's pretty special."

Hosting the quantity of events that Penn State hosts has its fair share of challenges, though. She said in planning a major event, even ones as far out as the NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships in 2013, there is always a chance something could go awry.

An example she gave was when in the 2006 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship.  The first match of the championships went long, and then the second match was running late also.

"I remember during the course of the match, looking at my watch and it was a little before 11:00, and I had ordered pizza's for these teams at 10:00," James said looking at her wristwatch, reenacting the event. "So I remember looking at my watch thinking hmmm my pizza's are one hour cold, because I figured the match would be done at ten."

The next thing James knew, cold pizza was the least of her worries when floor lights in Rec Hall suddenly blinked out at exactly 11 p.m. The sports lights were on a timer everyone had forgotten about, since no one expected the matches to run so long.

The nationally televised event was in an uproar, as the lights had to cool down before they could turn back on again. James explained how comical it was when a light turned on, because people in that section would cheer.

"Two years later, completely different facility, completely different committee member...we come in to do the walk through of the facilities and the very first question out of her mouth is 'And I'm supposed to ask about the lights? If they're on a timer in this building?'" James said explaining it is now a joke to her and her fellow planners.

For James, the hard work and years of planning pays off in many different ways. To her though, there was no question of what the most rewarding part of the job is.

"I can tell you that, right off the top of my head," James said.  "Handing Penn State the National Championship trophy in 2007 when we had Men's Gymnastics National Championships, Penn State won - that was the most rewarding."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State will rest at home on the bye week, but there are five games around the conference to keep you busy on Saturday.  The list includes a pair of key matchups for two of the top three teams in the conference.  Let's take a look around the Big Ten.

Illinois at No. 11 Michigan State - Noon - Big Ten Network

This has the potential to be a very intriguing matchup inside Spartan Stadium.  Michigan State (6-0, 2-0) comes in off a commanding victory over archrival Michigan.  Illinois (3-2, 1-1) heads into East Lansing after a dominant performance against Penn State.  Michigan State's defense is well suited to defend the Illinois offensive scheme.  Linebacker Greg Jones and the Spartan defense should have success against the dynamic Illinois rushing attack.  Look for MSU QB Kirk Cousins to find success in the passing game.  Nonetheless, the Illini should keep things close in East Lansing.

Arkansas State at Indiana - Noon - ESPNU

Following a tough setback in Columbus, Indiana (3-2, 0-2) returns to Bloomington on Saturday afternoon for a non-conference clash with Arkansas State (2-4, 2-2).  Arkansas State fields a talented quarterback in Ryan Aplin.  He has thrown for 1,574 yards and 10 touchdowns in the first six games of 2010.  Nonetheless, look for Ben Chappell and the Hoosier passing attack to get back on track with a big day through the air.  Indiana should take care of business at home.

Minnesota at Purdue - Noon - ESPN2

Minnesota (1-5, 0-2) heads to Purdue (3-2, 0-1) in a matchup between two teams headed down two very different paths.  The Golden Gophers are in dire need of a victory to get their season back on track, having lost five straight contests.  Meanwhile, the Boilers tallied a strong victory at Northwestern on Saturday night to open their season 1-0 in Big Ten play.  Freshman quarterback Rob Henry and the Purdue offense should move the ball on the ground against a very inconsistent Gopher defense.  Both teams will move the ball, but Purdue has a great deal of confidence.

No. 14 Iowa at No. 24 Michigan - 3:30 p.m. - ABC (Regional); ESPN (Outer Market)

The first of two marquee matchups in Big Ten country will take place in The Big House.  Iowa (4-1, 1-0) needs a statement road victory on its resume to remain in the Big Ten title race.  Michigan (5-1, 1-1) needs a win to get back on track after a lopsided loss to Michigan State.  Iowa's defense will be the story in Ann Arbor.  This will be another stiff test for Denard Robinson.  Iowa's defense is elite, and Robinson will have to work for Michigan's points.  Watch for Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi to take advantage of the Michigan secondary with his veteran receivers.  All signs are pointing to a close battle in Michigan Stadium, but the Iowa defense, which ranks No. 1 in scoring defense and No. 2 in rushing defense in America, holds the key to this ballgame.

No. 1 Ohio State at No. 16 Wisconsin - 7 p.m. - ESPN

The new No. 1 team in college football heads to one of the most hostile environments in the Big Ten for a primetime clash.  Ohio State (6-0, 2-0) heads to Camp Randall Stadium for its biggest test of the 2010 season against Wisconsin (5-1, 1-1).  The lone blemish on Wisconsin's resume came at Michigan State.  John Clay and the Badger rushing attack must have a strong performance against the talented Ohio State defense.  If the Badgers are unable to move the chains on the ground, it will be a long evening at home.  For the Buckeyes, no one has stopped Terrelle Pryor and the explosive offense, which ranks No. 1 in the conference (43.2 points per game) in scoring.  Pryor will continue to use weapons Dane Sanzenbacher and DeVier Posey in the passing game.  The Buckeyes' balanced attack will give the Badgers all they can handle.  It is going to take a perfect performance from the Badgers to notch an upset, but the home team has the personnel to make things interesting.  Nonetheless, Ohio State is No. 1 for a reason.

By Kelsey Detweiler, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion women's volleyball team did something this past weekend that it hasn't done since 2002: lose two consecutive matches. Ninth-ranked Penn State suffered a 3-2 loss at Purdue and a 3-1 setback at Indiana last weekend.

However, the Nittany Lions are happy to be home at Rec Hall this weekend, hoping to keep alive their 88-match home winning streak in front of the Nittany Lion faithful.

On Friday, the Nittany Lions take on No. 19 Minnesota in Rec Hall (7 p.m.). This match is a crucial one, as the Gophers are a Top 20 team boasting a 14-4 record overall with a 4-2 mark in Big Ten play.

Minnesota has put up impressive numbers thus far this season. Sophomore outside-hitter Tabitha Love is averaging 3.83 kills per set followed closely behind by freshman outside-hitter Ashley Wittman at 3.61 kills per set. Senior middle-blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer has been dominant this season, posting 1.50 blocks per set and working with junior middle-blocker Ariana Filho (1.11 blocks per set) to shut down their opponents' offense.

The Gophers are similar to the Nittany Lions, however, carrying a relatively inexperienced and young team. Minnesota only has two seniors on its roster this season, and there are eight players on the roster that are either freshmen or sophomores. The three-time defending national champion Nittany Lions look to capitalize and compete with the No. 19 Gophers, accordingly.

On Saturday, the Nittany Lions will move on to face the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes are 6-9 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Iowa has had a rough start to the season, notching a 0-4 record against teams ranked in the Top 25. The Hawkeyes have been swept by Iowa State, Michigan, Minnesota and Northwestern.

While the Nittany Lions have had four uncharacteristic losses this season, the decorated roster is still putting up notable numbers. Penn State is currently hitting .300 as a team with senior middle-hitter Blair Brown averaging a team high 3.60 kills per set and freshman outside-hitter Deja McClendon posting 3.57 kills per set. Sophomore Kristin Carpenter has settled into her position as setter, averaging 10.30 assists per set and guiding her team offensively.

Freshman middle-hitter Katie Slay has built an impressive 1.44 blocks per set, followed by both senior middle hitters Arielle Wilson and Fatima Balza averaging 1.28 blocks per set. Senior libero and defensive specialist Alyssa D'Errico continues to play solid defense for the Nittany Lions as well, posting 3.89 digs per set.

The 13-4 Nittany Lions are a unique group of athletes of all ages and sizes. While the veterans and All-Americans continue to mesh with the many fresh faces and new starters, Penn State only looks keep improving.

Senior libero and defensive specialist Alyssa D'Errico was quick to reassure onlookers that the Nittany Lions never say die. She said that this year reminds her a lot of her first season on the Penn State roster.

"Me, Ari and Blair were all new to the lineup that year and we had veterans coming back obviously and we lost two in the beginning of the season," said D'Errico. "We got our butts kicked by Nebraska, which we got our butts kicked by Stanford this year, and then we lost a close one to Stanford in five and we lost a close one to Illinois in five this year, so it's very reminiscent of that year (2007) for me."

Despite the tough losses that the Nittany Lions have faced, D'Errico is confident that they have what it takes to win.

"I think it's just a matter of getting the freshman and the new people to understand that one loss isn't the end of the line," said D'Errico. "We still won a National Championship that year (2007) and we still have a lot of potential to get back to where we want to be this year."

By Mark Wishnia, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Twelve goals in 12 games, and three Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors in just under five weeks of play. That's the story of sophomore forward Kelsey Amy and redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Ayla Halus.

The two young standouts have helped lead the Nittany Lion field hockey squad to where they are right now: No. 11 in the NFHCA poll and No. 6 in the RPI.

A big part of the young goalkeeper's game, who got the starting nod before the season began, has been her openness to learn, according to head coach Charlene Morett.

"Ayla from a defensive standpoint, she's just a great student of the game, she studies the film, consistently works out with Annie [Zinkavich]," Morett said. "She gives the defense confidence and I think her communication back there has really helped our defense play much better as a unit."

Halus really knows how important that communication is. Winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times is an individual award, but it requires the whole team in order to achieve the honor.

"I think it was an all around good defensive game," Halus said. "I think my defenders had some really key stops and saves and it made it a lot easier for me to make some saves. But they made some as well so it wasn't just me."

It is hard sometimes to look at athletes and not think of them as super-human. Halus has started in every game this season. Her energy level and intensity is not achieved by magic. She stays upbeat just like the rest of the human race. How does she do it?

"Naps," Halus said. "Twenty minute naps. Whatever I can grab here and there and just making sure I get my school work done, and I can be successful at practice, and I don't need to be up for ridiculous amounts of time."

The brilliant goaltending Halus has shown this year is a big part of several victories. However, goals are a necessity. And Kelsey Amy has had no shortage of those.

Amy had two goals in the win over No. 7 Michigan State, and four goals against Monmouth prior to that. Amy also helped the field hockey squad defeat Iowa with a goal in that game as well. She has scored seven goals in three games and is averaging one goal per game this season. Keeping it simple is the key to Kelsey's game according to Morett.

"Both Kelsey's goals [against Michigan State] were really simply executed," Morett said.  "She just made a simple move right and then and cranked the shot and that's what Kels[ey] does best.  We would like to see her do more of that, just keep it simple, and get a great shot."

Amy attributes the success to ball control.

"Our passing has just been working really well and we're definitely just using our speed to get down the field and catching defenses off guard," Amy said.

The stick work drills in practice have helped Amy with her ball control and her confidence has grown because of it.

"We come out every day and do stick work so I definitely think that helps with my ball handling," Amy said. "My confidence is growing so I think that definitely helps with moving the ball."

Big players stem from good coaching. Both Halus and Amy attribute their success this season to the Nittany Lion coaching staff. When they were asked how much the coaching staff could be attributed to their success, neither player had a hesitation.

"Everything," Amy said. "After every game there's stuff we need to work on and they'll find the little things and they'll tweak them. It definitely helps and it shows on the field."

Halus echoed the sentiment.

"I think tremendously," Halus said. "Annie is always on top of me making sure I do my work and Char is always on top of me and making sure I am keeping myself at the fittest I can be and playing to my potential."

The individual achievements are great accomplishments, but the team just wants to keep on winning. The upset over Michigan State put the Nittany Lions right where they want to be.

"I would just say that it was an outstanding effort on the road," Morett said. "There was a strong team unity throughout the game that you could feel, like me as a coach I could feel which was great to see. I felt that we really used our speed to our advantage and some of the goals we had, we had 4 goals, it was just awesome."

Kelsey Amy loves the feeling of beating a Big Ten rival.

"[The win over Michigan State] was really big," Amy said. "Everyone in the Big Ten is a rival so it's always nice to get a win in the Big Ten and just improve our record from last year. I mean last year we went 1-5 in the Big Ten. It's just a step up from last year and we're definitely improving."

The Nittany Lions roll into Ohio State this weekend, a team they beat twice last year. Amy explained with authority that it's a game Penn State must win.

"We beat them twice last year so anything less is pretty unacceptable," Amy said. "So we definitely need to go out there and take it to them."

Game time is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday before the Nittany Lions return home next Tuesday night to host Bucknell at 7 p.m.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The meticulous sounds of piano notes resonated through  the lobby of the Cedar Rapids Marriott on the night before Penn State's clash with Iowa.

A full-time piano player was just one of numerous amenities the seven story hotel had to offer its guests. On this night, though, a keen onlooker joined the full-time musician as she played in the lobby.  He even sat down to play a few notes himself.

The guest musician was none other than Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome.  The sophomore is a talented piano player of 11 years.  He spends a lot of his spare time playing the piano and producing music.  Newsome has even created a fully functioning music studio in his room on campus, complete with acoustic foam on the walls.

Along with fellow Nittany Lions Mike Wallace and Quinn Barham, among others, Newsome and the "band" produce music electronically.  Newsome said the group occasionally gets vocal help from receiver Curtis Drake.

It is a fascinating story to think members of the Nittany Lions having such a love for producing music.  We caught up with Newsome at his favorite piano on campus.  McElwain Hall is the site of where Newsome played the piano throughout his freshman year.  He still calls the McElwain piano the best sounding place to play the instrument on campus.  Newsome said he produces most of the piano sections of the group's songs in McElwain Hall.

Take a listen as Newsome plays the piano and talks about his love for music in this video feature.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Akron Zips came into Jeffrey Field as the No. 1-ranked men's soccer team.  Penn State was determined to have their fair say about who was the better team during the game.

The game lasted 106 minutes, and it ended with a 2-1 overtime victory for top-ranked Akron.  Even though the game ended in a defeat for the Nittany Lions, the scoreboard did not tell the entire story.  Akron won in sudden death overtime on a penalty kick in the 106 minute of play, but it took all 106 minutes for the Zips to gain the slightest of edges, but on Wednesday night Penn State outplayed Akron.

Even though Penn State lost the game, they handled the best team in the country.  The Nittany Lions pressed the Zips for the entire game and outplayed them.

"We played them closer than anybody has in country in quite awhile," said head coach Bob Warming. "I think we could have won the game."

The way Penn State played the game shows that they can play with the best in the country and that they are serious contenders for the rest of the season.

"We'll be able to look back on this and extract the good points," said Brian Forgue.  "I think we sent a very clear message to the rest of the country; we are contenders and were not going to back down.  These guys, I'm not sure if they thought we were going to back down but they weren't ready for a game like that."

Penn State showed against Akron that they will be ready for big games in the future and that their team is getting better every time they step onto the field.  The team stepped up in a big game and proved they can win games against very good competition.

"It gives me a lot of hope for the future because J-Lee (Justin Lee) is out after 60 minutes and we are missing our captain Cost (Drew Cost) who was out of the lineup tonight," said head coach Bob Warming.  "Those are two important guys in the midfield and we played against some of the best central midfielders in the country."

This game has given Penn state a good foundation to move forward and prove they are one of the best teams in the country.  By outplaying Akron, they feel very good about their game and are hungry for more.

"We are going to take a lot of pros from this. It's always good to play a really tough team because it makes you challenge yourself even more," said captain Andres Casais.  "We can play with any team in the country we deserve to be a top 10, top 5 team. We just need the results."

Corey Hertzog, who is the nation's leading scorer with 12 goals scored Penn State's only goal and continues to play at an extremely high level.  The Nittany Lions go as he goes, Hertzog is the engine of the team and his play is a key reason Penn State was able to play such a good game against Akron.  When asked what this game meant and the message it sent, Corey didn't hesitate.

"This says that if that's the number one team, we will be in the national championship," said Hertzog.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Coach Paterno summed up the Penn State injury situation with this statement during his weekly Big Ten conference call.

"This is probably the...in fact I was talking to our medical people who have been with us for a long time and they said this is the worst (injury) situation we've been in the 24 years that they've been here as the people who are responsible for the medical situation of our players," Coach Paterno said.

Due to the high volume of injuries on the Nittany Lion roster, the Penn State medical staff provided an update during the bye week.  Safety Nick Sukay joined the list of players out for the season earlier this week.  Sukay will miss the rest of 2010 with a torn pectoral suffered on the opening kickoff of Saturday's game.  His recovery will be six months after surgery this week.  Here is the official Penn State injury report from the medical staff this week.

Out for season:
T Lou Eliades (knee)
TE Garry Gilliam (knee)
Safety Nick Sukay (pectoral)

Out for minimum of two weeks:
WR Curtis Drake (leg)
DE Eric Latimore (wrist)
TE Andrew Szczerba (back)

Possible for Minnesota game:
DE Jack Crawford (foot)
Safety Andrew Dailey (stinger)
LB Bani Gbadyu (calf)
DT Jordan Hill (ankle)
LB Gerald Hodges (leg)
LB Michael Mauti (ankle)

Injury Breakdown:

- Offensive Line - 1; Receiver - 1; Secondary - 2; Tight End - 2; Linebacker - 3; Defensive Line - 3

News and Notes:

- Penn State returned to the practice field on Tuesday afternoon in shells (helmets, shoulder pads and shorts).  The Lions were off on Sunday and Monday.

- Penn State is 31-16 after bye weeks under Coach Paterno, including a 13-5 mark since 1994.

- Penn State's opponents have a combined 44-18 record this season (not including games with the Nittany Lions).

- The Lions will next meet Minnesota on Oct. 23 at the new TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.  The game will air live on ESPNU at noon.  Minnesota travels to Purdue this weekend.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team will face off against the No. 1-ranked Akron Zips on Wednesday night at Jeffrey Field (7 p.m.).  The Nittany Lions will finish a three game home stand with Akron after defeating Villanova and Michigan State.

While junior striker Corey Hertzog, 11 goals and four assists, is making a strong case to be considered one of the best collegiate players in the country; during the home stand to this point, defense has been key to the Nittany Lions' victories.  Penn State's goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham recorded his first shutout of the season versus Villanova and after allowing an early goal against Michigan State, shut down the Spartans in the second half with an aggressive style of defense.

The Nittany Lions' defensive unit has gotten a boost from senior Andy Parr.  Parr was this week's Big Ten defensive player of the week and has seen an increase in playing time during the home stand.

"He's experienced, he knows how to play in big games and his experience has really shown through," said Brian Forgue.  "The fact that he can step in and the level doesn't drop at all the last four games and to earn an honor such as the big ten defensive play of the week is incredible, it's what we need from him."

Penn State has several players that can play on the back line, and that versatility gives head coach Bob Warming options when deciding on player combinations.

"We've got a deep back line; all of our defenders are really good," said Matt Smallwood.  "Coach is looking to find ways to use everyone best against good teams.  We've got guys making sacrifices, that's what it's about."

The Nittany Lions came out more aggressively on defense in the second half against Michigan State and that style of play could be integral in the game against Akron.

"Coach told me he wanted me to attack second half because we were down one nothing he told me to just go for it and we were able to get two goals and celebrate the victory," said John Gallagher. "He put me at outside back he told me to go forward. That's what I do best."

For a team that has great offensive talent in Corey Hertzog, Matheus Braga and Makenzie Arment, it is easy to lose sight of the defense, even when the back line's play is integral to putting pressure on the other team.

"We're not the only ones playing defense its starts up there, so if we have pressure on them all over the field we should be able to cause some problems for them," said Matt Smallwood.  "We are certainly going to be working on some defensive things to try and beat them."

One thing is certain, the Nittany Lions will come ready to play.  They will be facing a team that has proven they are the No. 1 team in the nation, but has had problems when playing in University Park.  Penn State has not lost to Akron on its home turf since 1988.

"The key is put a lot of pressure on them because we don't have anything to lose, they are No. 1 in the nation," said John Gallagher.  "So we are going to try to stay composed, play our game, put a lot pressure on them and hopefully get them off their game so we can pull out a victory."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Under the direction of head coach Cael Sanderson, the Nittany Lion wrestling team continues its preseason preparation for the 2010-'11 season.

The Nittany Lions open their season with an intra-squad dual meet on Nov. 4.  The regular season officially kicks off on Nov. 12 at Bloomsburg.  The All-Sports Blog had an opportunity to stop by wrestling practice earlier this week to speak with Coach Sanderson and members of the squad as they prepare for the season ahead.  Take a look.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - We are kicking off a new feature on GoPSUsports.com.  Each week, we will sit down with a member of the Penn State women's volleyball coaching staff to get a weekly update on the Nittany Lions.

We are kicking things off today with a conversation with head coach Russ Rose.  We stopped by his office on Tuesday to get his thoughts on the Nittany Lions as they prepare for home matches against Minnesota and Iowa. Ninth-ranked Penn State heads into the weekend with a 13-4 overall mark and a 3-3 record in the Big Ten.

Here is this week's conversation with Coach Rose.

GoPSUsports.com: We are right around the mid-way point of the season.  How would you evaluate how the team has played thus far when you look at the overall picture?

Coach Rose: "The upside is that we beat the No. 1 team in the country (Florida).  We lost to the other No. 1 team (Stanford) when we were the No. 1 team in country.  As of late, we are kind of struggling.  We are still trying to find a lineup and get a competitive identity that doesn't seem to as present on the road as it needs to be in a conference like the Big Ten."

GoPSUsports.com: How difficult has it been meshing in the volume of young players in with the veterans?

Coach Rose: "That is the challenge.  And that was the challenge coming into the season.  I'm not sure that I think we have done as good of a job getting everybody on board as I would have liked.  And I would have thought a couple of the older kids would have done a little better at mentoring some of the youngsters.  It has been more of a challenge in that area than I would have thought.  But I don't think it something that is going to be a problem the entire season.  At some point in time, we should return to playing good volleyball.  It may not be in time to compete for the national championship, but it may.  I don't know."

GoPSUsports.com: How would you evaluate what Deja McClendon has done as a freshman this season?

Coach Rose: "Deja has been a real pleasant surprise.  We knew coming in that she would be able to compete offensively.  And she has had some really good matches offensively.  I thought she competed really hard against Purdue.  I thought she was our best attacker against Purdue.  She had some struggles the next night at Indiana.  I am disappointed that we have to depend so much on her.  But I'm really pleased with how she has been battling through those challenges."

GoPSUsports.com: Looking ahead to this week, what type of team does Minnesota have and what type of challenges will they present?

Coach Rose: "At the beginning of the year, I thought Illinois and Minnesota would be the top two teams competing for the championship.  And that may still occur, but Northwestern has really come along and caught everyone's attention.  They are similar to us in that they lost a player to injury at the beginning of the season.  Although they are very strong, that injury may have prevented them from having an elite team and team that can win the national championship.  They are a real physical team.  We will have some challenges with them.  They have Tabitha Love, who may be the best attacker in the conference - a 6-6 outside hitter from Canada.  We have always had some struggles with Filho, the middle (hitter).  We are going to have to play well if we are going to compete with these teams."

GoPSUsports.com: What would you like to see from your team this weekend?

Coach Rose: "I would like to see us bounce back.  I would like to play a little bit harder and have a sense of urgency about certain rallies and certain points in the match.  When you have some quiet individuals and some young individuals, that's not a great mixture to play at the highest level."

GoPSUsports.com: When you look at the setter position, it is a critical aspect of the offense. How do you feel like Kristin Carpenter has performed this season?

Coach Rose: "I think she plays hard.  That is her strength.  She is a good kid and she likes volleyball.  In those areas, I would say that she does what she does.  I'm not sure even at this point in time that she understands what she needs to do to make us a better volleyball team.  But she plays hard and she was thrown into that situation and I think she has competed pretty well with it.  But there is a lot of growth that she needs to make in that area to give us a chance to be better."

GoPSUsports.com: You touched on playing on the road, what can you do as a coach to teach a young team how to play on the road. Or is that something that the team just has to learn over time?

Coach Rose: "I think you just learn it.  I don't think you can say anything different than what we are saying right now.  You learn and that is how you learn to play on the road.  To me, you have four or five seniors and those kids should be involved to make sure the culture of the team and the preparation is good.  They like to play and they are good kids, but they don't really understand the importance of leadership and mentoring the younger people.  And that shows up in some of the competitive situations."

GoPSUsports.com: Talk about the overall depth of the Big Ten this season.

Coach Rose: "I think the Big Ten is always a good conference.  And maybe this year more so than other years because there aren't any undefeated teams after three weeks of conference play.  It just resonates how strong it really is.  It has always been a strong conference.  We've had great success over the last three years with a team that has won the national championship.  So, we had great success nationally, not just in the conference.  There is great coaching in the conference.  There is great support for women's volleyball.  The Big Ten usually leads the nation in conference attendance.  It is going to be a great race all year for all of the spots."

GoPSUsports.com: Talk about what the donation from the Barrys for the improvements to Rec Hall will bring to the building and the program.

Coach Rose: "It is certainly, from an educational standpoint, it is going to be a great opportunity for journalism and communications majors to practice their trade in a state of the art facility.  From a volleyball standpoint, it is going to enable the Big Ten to pick up all of our matches and show more of them on television.  It is going to improve the room in which we are going to do our match preparation.  I think it is great the Barrys are recognizing their great relationship with Penn State and Steve Jones.  I think Steve is one of the shining stars of the 30 years I have been at Penn State.  I think it is great that his name will continue on long after he is done working here."

GoPSUsports.com: How much has the Big Ten Network changed the exposure of the program over the past few seasons?

Coach Rose: "It has really impacted college athletics.  The expansion (Nebraska) that took place and the dollars that are available through the Big Ten Network, which can attract a great institution like Nebraska to leave its old affiliation - the Big 8 or the Big 12.  It is probably going to go down in this decade as one of the great things that has happened in the decade for the contributions that it's made to expansion and so much women's sports on television.  I know that they made a commitment to all of the member institutions, both male and female sports, so I think it has been great."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The sound of basketballs pounding off the hardwood resonated through the main gym of the Bryce Jordan Center on Monday afternoon as the Penn State Lady Lions took center stage on 2010-'11 media day.

The season officially kicked off last Monday when the Lady Lions officially opened practice.  Optimism of a postseason run was in the air on Monday afternoon when head coach Coquese Washington and the Lions met with the media. Here are some sights and sounds from Lady Lion Media Day.

- Postseason Aspirations on the Mind

Coach Washington made it clear during her 30-minute press conference in the BJC Media Room that competing for a Big Ten title and a postseason berth are at the top of the list of goals this winter.  The Bryce Jordan Center will play host to the NCAA First and Second Rounds in March, which is a pretty big incentive to get into the tournament.  Coach Washington said that she wants the Lady Lions to take full advantage of hosting postseason competition.

- Youthful, Energetic Squad

The 2010-'11 roster features 11 players, including eight freshmen or sophomores.  The Lady Lions will have a big impact from the young talent on the roster.  The 21st-ranked recruiting class comprised of Maggie Lucas, Ariel Edwards and Talia East will play a big role in Penn State's rotation this winter.  One look at Lucas' long distance jump shot illustrates what she will bring to the table.  She was a 3-point ace and a McDonald's All-American in high school.  Look for Lucas to be significant threat on the perimeter.

- Up-Tempo Basketball

Coach Washington labeled this squad as the most talented group of athletes she has coached in her four seasons in Happy Valley on Monday.  Penn State brings a great deal of athleticism to the floor.  Coach Washington likes to play fast-paced, up-tempo basketball.  And this winter, she has the personnel to do so.  It will be a fun team to watch was the season wears on.  Additionally, because the team is so versatile, look for a much more aggressive approach with pressing and trapping on the defensive end of the floor.

- Big Ten Favorites

With the bulk of its talent returning, defending Big Ten champion Ohio State will again be the favorite to win the conference this winter.  Nonetheless, Coach Washington listed five other teams, including Penn State with the personnel to compete for a Big Ten crown.  Michigan State, Purdue and Iowa all return the core talent of their teams.  Look for those three teams to play a role in the conference race this winter, as well.

- Media Day Video

We spent the afternoon talking to Coach Washington and some of the players on camera.  Check out some video interviews from media day.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the first time in seven weeks, the Nittany Lions will not begin game week preparations on Monday afternoon.  Instead, Penn State opens its bye week, and it could not be here at a better time.

The next seven days will give the Lions an opportunity to step back and take a look at the bigger picture before preparing for their first trip to Minnesota's new TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.  Penn State heads into the week off with a 3-3 mark following Saturday's setback to Illinois.

The Nittany Lions will regroup and get back to work on the practice field this week to prepare for the second half of the season.  Additionally, Penn State will use the next two weeks to get healthy after an uncharacteristically large number of injuries during the first half of the season.

The Lion defense has been hit the hardest by the injury bug, with 10 players on the two-deep rotation either inactive on Saturday, left the game or played through an injury.  Thinking about Penn State's coaching staff filling upwards of nine holes on the defensive depth chart due to injury during Saturday's clash with Illinois is remarkable.

Breaking down the injury report, here is listing of the injured players on the Penn State defense:

DE Jack Crawford (foot)

LB Michael Mauti (ankle)

LB Bani Gbadyu (knee)

LB Gerald Hodges (leg)

DE Eric Latimore (hand)

DE Pete Massaro (leg)

DT Jordan Hill (ankle)

S Nick Sukay (shoulder)

S Andrew Dailey (stinger - shoulder/neck)

Not listed on the injury report is linebacker Chris Colasanti, who has played the last two weeks with a broken right hand.  Granted some of the injuries are less serious than others, but playing through 10 injuries on the depth chart is a challenge, to say the least.

Some positive news on the injury front, talented sophomore wide receiver Curtis Drake is inching closer to a return to the practice field after breaking his leg during preseason camp.  Also, Coach Paterno mentioned last week that linebacker Gerald Hodges, who suffered a leg injury on the opening kickoff at Alabama, is getting closer to returning to practice, as well.  Things on the injury report should look much different by the time the Nittany Lions kickoff at Minnesota on Oct. 23.

As for the mindset of the Lions, this is a critical two-week span for the squad.  The week off will provide an opportunity to regroup and refocus for the final six weeks of the season.  The Lions must bring a fiery attitude to Minnesota.  They have two weeks to dig a little deeper on the practice field to find a sense of urgency before returning to action in Minneapolis. 

The rest of the season begins today.

Notebook:

- The television plans for the Minnesota were announced on Monday.  The Lions will take on the Golden Gophers at noon on Oct. 23 with live TV coverage from ESPNU.  It will be Penn State's first trip to the new TCF Bank Stadium and the first visit to Minneapolis since 2006.  The two teams will not meet in either 2011 or 2012.

- Despite playing with a broken hand during the past two weeks, linebacker Chris Colasanti is leading the Big Ten in tackling at the midway point of the season with 9.83 tackles per game.

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It is funny how things work out in sports sometimes.  There are often quirks in games that cannot be explained with any sort of certainty.  The Penn State men's soccer squad was a part of one of those moments Sunday afternoon at Jeffery Field in a 2-1 win over Michigan State.

Trailing 1-0 after the first half, The Nittany Lions were looking for a spark to get themselves going offensively.  Matheus Braga provided that spark with his third goal of the season in the 67th minute.  Braga's goal was a huge momentum swing for the Nittany Lions and paved the way for the victory.

"Matheus scoring that goal changed the entire complexion of this game," said striker Corey Hertzog.  "Once he scored, it picked everyone up and we just started going even more."

Braga has been in the middle of the team's offensive production throughout the season, with 17 total points so far; he is the catalyst that makes the offense go.  His ability to get things started for the Nittany Lions is not lost on his teammates.

"It's unbelievable how good he is, what he can do for the team and open things up," said midfielder Matt Smallwood. "He gets us going, makes passes, he's feisty and he brings us all up."

With the score leveled at 1-1, Braga set the stage for that quirky moment.  Braga won a battle for the ball on the end line and sent a cross into the box to No. 11, Corey Hertzog.  Hertzog then deposited the ball into the back of the net for his Big-Ten leading 11th goal.  The assist was Braga's 11th of the season.  On Sunday afternoon, eleven was Penn State's lucky number.  Sometimes weird things like that just happen in sports and Braga's 11th assist, on an 11th goal, scored by a player wearing No.11 was no different.

Corey Hertzog is putting together a special season, firing shots on goal at will and scoring with ease.  Through Sunday's game, Hertzog has 11 goals and 4 assists, good for 26 total points.  Matheus Braga and Corey Hertzog are turning into a dynamic duo on the field and Hertzog's scoring is a direct result of it.

"We work a lot in practice, every practice we try do those through balls," said Braga.  "Every time I see him run, I think he's going to score, so I try to put the ball at his feet."

Corey's teammates know that when they need a goal, they can look to No. 11 to get the tally.  His ability to change a game in an instant is crucial to victory for Penn State.

"He can be on the sideline the whole game and not touch a thing and he can change the game right around," said Smallwood.  "That was a brilliant goal."

One of the most important things is that while the team looks to Hertzog to make things happen, he knows that is his role on the team.  His one thought during the game is to score to help his team win.  The pressure of being the 'go-to guy' is something that Hertzog thrives off of.

"I kind of get more excited knowing I could be the one to do that," said Hertzog. "It's my job to put in the back of the net."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Saturday's 33-13 setback to Illinois (3-2, 1-1) on a sun-splashed afternoon in Beaver Stadium will be a learning experience for Penn State (3-3, 0-2) as it turns the page on the first half of the 2010 season. 

Give a lot of credit to head coach Ron Zook and the Fighting Illini for a strong performance in Happy Valley, which led to Illinois' first victory in seven visits to Beaver Stadium.

Like we do every week on the blog, we have singled out a pair of Nittany Lions for their efforts on Saturday afternoon.  This week, junior wide receiver Derek Moye and senior linebacker Chris Colasanti are the Faces of the Illinois Game.

Beginning with Moye, the 6-5 wide out provided the offensive highlight of the afternoon on a career-long 80-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.  The Pittsburgh native utilized his size against Illinois' one-on-one coverage.  Moye made a slight adjustment on Rob Bolden's ball, and then slipped free from the Illini defender on his way into the north end zone.

"It was something that we kind of had thought they would give us," Moye said. "The safeties were down and they we're covering me one-on-one on the outside, and it was one-and-one, so Rob made a good throw and that was it."

Moye, who finished with 106 receiving yards on Saturday, said the Lions are seeking to become more consistent on the offensive end of the field heading into the second half of the season.

"We're working hard, we just have to continue to work hard and have to have guys step up and be leaders and hopefully everything will work out for us," Moye said.

On the defensive side of the ball, Colasanti was again the leader for the Nittany Lions.  For the second straight week, the Michigan native battled through a hand injury for a strong outing.  Colasanti tallied a career-high 18 tackles, despite competing with a broken bone on his right hand against the Illini.

"Yeah I really feel that a lot of it I can contribute to the D-line," Colasanti said.  "You know them closing gaps so I can come back side and make plays and I really feel that without them I wouldn't have been able to make that many plays."

With 10 players on the defensive side of the ball battling injuries, Colasanti continues to be a leader in the middle.  The injury bug has played a significant role in the Nittany Lion defense this fall.  Nonetheless, Colasanti and the rest of the banged up Lion defense will continue to work hard on the practice field leading up to the trip to Minnesota.

"Injury is a part of the game," Colasanti said.  "Guys just have to heal up, other guys need to step up and that's just football."

The Nittany Lions have six weeks of football to play.  It is time to get back to work on the practice field leading into the bye week.

Stay tuned each week for the "Faces of the Game" series following every game this fall.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome back to the live in-game coverage on the Football Blog.  We are excited to bring you live coverage from Beaver Stadium for today's game.

10:02 a.m. - Good Morning from Beaver Stadium

Welcome back to Beaver Stadium for another picturesque weather day.  The Nittany Lions have been greeted with ideal conditions for each of the four home games this fall.  The Illinois team buses arrived earlier than usual this morning (shortly after 9:35).  It is a big game for both teams.  Keep an eye on the battle in the trenches.  Penn State's offensive line is looking to take a step forward this afternoon.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome back to the GoPSUsports.com Gameday Photo Blog. It is Homecoming and the Big Ten opener for the Nittany Lions.  Check back often for sights from today's game with Illinois.

Another perfect day of weather in Beaver Stadium.


Rob Bolden stepping off the bus.




Coach Paterno heading into the stadium.


Heading into the stadium.



Rob Bolden heading onto the field.


The Big Ten Network pregame set.


Pregame warmups with the defensive backs.


The stretching lines.



Here come the Nittany Lions.


The defense lined up for the first play of the game.


The defense ready for a play.


The offense ready to take the field.


First half action.


Calling in an offensive formation.


Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's week began with a players-only meeting inside Lasch Building.  It will end on the finely manicured sod of Beaver Stadium during a crucial Big Ten bout against Illinois (2-2, 0-1).

Penn State (3-2, 0-1) has been eager to get back on the field to face off with the Fighting Illini in the 91st Homecoming game since its setback in Iowa.  Saturday's noon kick cannot come soon enough as the Lions return home for the mid-way point of the 2010 season.

A talented Illinois running attack will greet the Nittany Lion defense, but the story lies with the Penn State offense.  The Nittany Lions are averaging 19.2 points per game, and the offense knows it needs to start putting more points on the board.  Converting red zone visits into touchdowns is at the top of the priority list, as well.

Saturday's noon kickoff is a critical game for Penn State's confidence level heading into a bye week.  Illinois has sour taste in its mouth after a tough home loss to Ohio State last weekend.  Neither team can afford to drop another game.

Welcome to the Illinois Gameday Preview.

What to Watch For: Penn State

1.  Penn State's red zone offense has not yet reached its potential.  The Lions have converted just 12 of 18 red zone visits into points this season, which ranks 114th in the nation.  Simply put, the Lions must start scoring touchdowns on trips inside the 20.  As the team has said throughout the week, it comes down to execution.  Penn State's rushing attack needs to be the catalyst in the red zone on Saturday.  And things start up front in the trenches.  Look for the Nittany Lion offense to begin clicking inside the red zone.

2.  In addition to the red zone offense, the emphasis throughout the week has been finding a way to get off to a fast start.  Penn State's defense has been dominant in the second half this season, but slow starts have made things difficult for the Lions on both sides of the ball.  Coming out of the gate with aggressiveness is crucial against Illinois.  A quick start from Rob Bolden and the Lion offense, in addition to the defense is something to keep an eye on.  Putting a touchdown or two on the board in the first quarter would go a long way for the team's confidence level.

3.  Coach Paterno hit the nail on the head at his Tuesday press conference when he stated that the Lions need to just start making a few big plays.  Penn State is a talented team on both sides of the ball.  The firepower in the skill spots on offense has the ability to put points on the board early and often.  The same is true for the defense.  Penn State has the personnel to make big plays, but they have largely been missing thus far in 2010.  Nonetheless, the law of averages says that the big plays will start coming.  Penn State is on the cusp of making big things happen (on both sides of the ball).  Keep an eye on the receiving corps.

What to Watch For: Illinois

1.  The Illinois scouting report begins with the rushing attack.  Junior Mikel Leshoure ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the NCAA in rushing yards (119.5 ypg).  Additionally, keep an eye on dual-threat quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase is much more dangerous with his feet than his arm.  Leshoure is an elite back with good size and speed. Illinois must get its ground game going against the Nittany Lions.  Moving the chains with the running game is critical for Illinois, as is avoiding third and long situations.

2.  Keep a close eye on Illinois middle linebacker Martez Wilson.  The 6-4, 250-pound junior is the leader of an improved Illini defense.  Wilson leads the team in tackling with 34 stops thus far in 2010.  The Fighting Illini's overall defensive scheme is vastly improved from last season.  Illinois wants to put pressure on Bolden in the passing game, but the interesting battle to watch is how the Illini front deals with the Penn State offensive line.  If Penn State finds success on the ground, it will give Bolden opportunities to make plays in the passing game.

3. Coming off last week's tough loss to Ohio State, it will be interesting to see how the Fighting Illini respond in Happy Valley. Illinois has never won in Beaver Stadium (0-6), but this is a critical game for Coach Zook and the Illini.  Zook labeled today's game as a "must have" for his squad.  Keep an eye on Illinois' energy level from the opening snap.  We expect it to be a determined effort by the group in orange helmets.

Breaking Down the Injuries:

Penn State - Possible: Jordan Hill (ankle) Doubtful: Brandon Beachum (knee) OUT: Curtis Drake (leg), Lou Eliades (knee), Gary Gilliam (knee) Gerald Hodges (leg), Andrew Szczerba (back)

Illinois - No published injury report

The Game:

Kickoff: 12:01 p.m.

TV: ESPN2, Bob Wischusen (Play-by-play), Brian Griese (Analyst)

Radio: Penn State Sports Network, Steve Jones (play-by-play), Jack Ham (color)

Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282), Grass

Coaches: Joe Paterno - 45th year - 397-131-3 overall record

Ron Zook - 6th year at Illinois (9th overall) - 23-41 (46-55 overall)

The Series: Penn State leads 14-3

The Final Word:

Penn State is 12-1 in games after a loss since the start of the 2005 season (13-1 if you include the season opener in 2009).  The Nittany Lions understand the importance of Saturday's Homecoming clash with Illinois.  Heading into the bye week with a victory would be a significant confidence boost for the youthful Nittany Lions.  Nonetheless, Penn State faces an improved Illinois squad with a prolific rushing attack.  Forcing Scheelhaase into third and long passing situations will take Illinois' offense out of its rhythm.  The Nittany Lion defense is poised for a strong 60-minute outing.  The offense is long overdue for a breakout performance.  Bolden will take another step forward in leading the Nittany Lions, as will the offensive line.  But the final word for this week, though: Penn State needs to be aggressive on both sides of the ball from the opening snap to the final whistle.  Tune in for another critical game for the Nittany Lions.

By Kelsey Detweiler, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 4 Nittany Lion women's volleyball team has had an interesting season thus far. With a team stacked full of All-American veterans and talented freshmen, Penn State has had to readjust its style of play and really focus on the basic building blocks of playing volleyball. Besides moving the ball around and drilling it over the net for offensive kills, the Nittany Lions have also recognized the importance of something else: defense.

The Nittany Lions have become more focused and determined to improve their play on the defensive end of the game, in order to make up for their losses in standout players Megan Hodge, Alisha Glass and Kelsey Ream. This year, the team has spent a lot of time fine-tuning its reception and blocking defenses.

Senior Arielle Wilson said that the team is doing more than just one thing to change the style of play.

"We really have been working on our defense and trying to get the back row people to create tunnels so that the ball comes to them easily," said Wilson. "The blocking has been helping our movements to close the block and take away certain areas and just working on penetrating kills over the net."

The 6-3 middle hitter is one of the most trusted blockers for the Nittany Lions. She is currently posting 1.33 blocks per set of for the 2010 season, and she had a season high of 9 blocks in the team's match against St. John's.

Wilson said that a key block is just as effective and important as a big kill because it alters the way an opponent plays.

"Well blocking has, in a sense, that it makes somebody want to change their shot," said Wilson. "So if they have one shot we try to take that away with blocking so that they have to hit another shot. Another thing is, if we know exactly where the ball is going than we probably will block so that we get a point off the block and that creates offense."

When Wilson gets ready to capitalize on a blocking opportunity, there are a few things that she makes sure to do.

"I just make sure to watch the hitter's hand and line up with the hitter's arm and make sure I'm getting over the net." It's as simple as that.

The Nittany Lions have also relied heavily on the triple block as a main source of defense this season. With three people contributing to one block, the team has had more success in stopping its opponents from scoring.

"The triple block works because essentially we're taking up a bigger area, than just with two people," said Wilson. "Basically, I think it's more effective just because it's more than a two person block."

Senior middle hitter Fatima Balza also agrees that the triple block is something that Penn State can use to its advantage.

"It's very, very effective," said Balza. "When we use a triple block the opponent has nowhere to go. Every time we triple block we know it has to be a good block, and that's why we triple block. If we're going to do a triple block it's because we're sure that we're going to get the ball that we want to block."

Penn State currently rosters three middle hitters who are averaging at least 1.30 blocks per set, including Wilson (1.33bps), Balza (1.37bps) and freshman Katie Slay (1.48bps). Their attention to detail on defense and continuing progress with blocking has allowed the Nittany Lions to come up big in defensive play.

With a 13-2 record overall and a 3-1 Big Ten record, No. 4 Penn State continues make strides on the floor.  Senior libero and defensive specialist Alyssa D'Errico said that the young talent on the team is learning what it means to play volleyball at the collegiate level.

"I think the difference is that we have a lot of young people that don't necessarily understand the difference between high school and college, of which college you have to focus more on the other team and what they're doing and how to stop them," said D'Errico. "Now it comes down more to scouting and preparing and understanding what's going on in the game and how to defend it so, we're definitely starting to understand it more and people are starting to get the scouting reports and figure out how to read them and adjust. "

As a true veteran of the team, D'Errico has seen it all. Traveling to Purdue and Indiana this weekend, D'Errico expects nothing less than what the Nittany Lions are used to seeing from their opponents.

"Purdue and Indiana are hard places to play - both small gyms with big crowds and student sections that, especially at Purdue, are all over you screaming from beginning to end," said D'Errico. "The Big Ten is just so fun to play in. Everywhere you go you draw a big crowd, especially with us."

The Nittany Lions continue to work on their defense play, blocking and compatibility as a new team. This group of athletes is one that showcases many new and old talents, but always rises to the occasion of a challenge. D'Errico said that Penn State is a team that opponents see as an ultimate threat.

"People want to beat us," said D'Errico. "It's going to be tough but it's a challenge that we're looking forward to facing."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Four teams remain unbeaten heading into the second week of conference games in the Big Ten.  Let's take a look around the week six matchups in the Big Ten.

Indiana at No. 2 Ohio State - Noon - ESPN

The Hoosiers are coming off a tough home loss to Michigan.  Ohio State (5-0, 1-0) enters the game following a closer than anticipated battle with Illinois.  Both teams are seeking a victory, but the second-ranked Buckeyes are tough to beat at home.  Indiana (3-1, 0-1) quarterback Ben Chappell and the talented Hoosier receivers will tally yardage against the Buckeye defense, but scoring touchdowns is critical for IU.  Nonetheless, Ohio State's offense (even with Terrelle Pryor not at 100 percent) will visit the end zone often against the inconsistent Hoosier defense.

Minnesota at No. 20 Wisconsin - Noon - Big Ten Network

Both teams suffered disappointing losses last week.  Minnesota (1-4, 0-1) desperately needs a victory after a tough start to the 2010 season, but Camp Randall Stadium is a difficult place to play.  Look for a big afternoon from John Clay and James White in the Badger running attack.  Minnesota QB Adam Weber is poised for another big game, but the Wisconsin (4-1. 0-1) offense should do its part to help the Badgers keep Paul Bunyan's Axe for another season.

No. 17 Michigan State at No. 18 Michigan - 3:30 p.m. - ABC (regional); ESPN (outer market)

The Big Ten game of the day will be in Ann Arbor, as two unbeatens and bitter rivals clash inside Michigan Stadium.  Michigan (5-0, 1-0) quarterback Denard Robinson has been virtually unstoppable in the first five weeks of the season.  Nonetheless, Michigan State (5-0, 1-0) will field the most talented defense Robinson and the Wolverines have faced all season.  On the other side of the ball, Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins should have his way with the Wolverine secondary.  It is shaping up to be a high scoring shootout in the Big House on Saturday afternoon.

Purdue at Northwestern - 7:30 p.m. - Big Ten Network

Led by one of the nation's top passers in the first five weeks of the season, Northwestern (5-0, 1-0) stands one victory away from being bowl eligible.  Dan Persa and the Wildcat passing attack will give the Boilers all they can handle in Evanston on Saturday.  Without Robert Marve (ACL) in the lineup, Purdue (2-2, 0-0) will be led by freshman Rob Henry.  Purdue will put points on the board, but Northwestern's offense should be the difference maker under the lights on Saturday.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - His sign hanging from the railing in front of the Penn State student section on gameday reads, "What can Brown do for you?"

To answer that question, through five games, Justin Brown has already more than doubled his receiving output from 2009, and the 2010 season is not yet half old. The sophomore wide out has evolved into a consistent threat in the Penn State passing attack.

The Delaware native heads into the Illinois game with 13 receptions for 190 yards, including a team-high 14.6 yards per reception average.  Brown's 6-3, 216-pound frame has been a reliable target for freshman QB Rob Bolden throughout the 2010 season.  Brown has tallied eight receptions in the past two games, including a career-high 84-yard outing against Temple.

"I feel like the receivers are doing a good job," Brown said.  "I am not going to say we are perfect, but we are doing a good job."

As the season reaches the mid-way point on Saturday, Brown still feels like we haven't seen the best of the Nittany Lion offense this fall.

"We haven't shown our full potential as an offense yet this season," said Brown, who also serves as Penn State's primary punt returner.  "But we have a lot of games left on the schedule to prove how good we are.  We are young, but are a good team."

The Delaware native expressed the magnitude of Saturday's game on a conference call earlier this week.  Brown wants to see the Nittany Lion offense to begin capitalizing on red zone opportunities and avoid timely dropped passes to help Penn State's true freshman signal caller.

"If it hits your hands, you have to catch it," Brown said.

He was instrumental in the Lions' game-clinching 96-yard touchdown drive to knock off Temple. Brown's role in the passing game will continue to evolve into bigger things as the season wears on.  Brown brings superb size and the skill set of a possession receiver to the lineup, but possesses the speed to turn a short gain into a touchdown.  He is still searching for his first career touchdown, but it just a matter of time before the sophomore jets into the end zone.

Coming off a pair of strong outings, the Wilmington, Del., product is focused on a crucial game for the Nittany Lions.  Look for No. 19 to continue playing a big role in the Nittany Lion offense.

"This is a big game for us," Brown said.  "It is homecoming.  We are playing at home.  It is a big game for them (Illinois), too, after Ohio State."

By Kyle G. Arslanian, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - On a rain-soaked night in Happy Valley, Penn State redshirt freshman keeper Brendan Birmingham stepped onto the soggy Jeffery Field pitch for his second start of the season.  Coupled with a strong outing from the defense, Birmingham recorded his first shutout to lead the men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Villanova.

Birmingham was aggressive all night, something that has become a key part of his game early on in the season.  By playing the ball, Birmingham helps to shorten the field for the Lion defense, an aspect of his game that Coach Warming wants to see more of.

"I absolutely like it, I like it a lot," said Warming.  "Particularly tonight, when the grass is so slick, it was very hard to play ball behind them, so when we did the ball skipped through and he was able to clean some of them up for us."

Shutouts are almost always a team accomplishment.  The Nittany Lions are known for their firepower, but this game turned more defensive once they realized they needed to focus on keeping the Wildcats from scoring.

"It was mid second half that we realized that really need needed to buckle down and get a shutout," said team captain Drew Cost.  "It (the shutout) was huge, he (Brendan) made three or four great saves, he commanded the defense well, all the credit to him for the shutout, he did well."

Birmingham's shutout is certainly something to be proud of, and the entire team is happy when there is a zero on the scoreboard after 90 minutes of play.

"As a back four that's incredible, it's what we look for," said Brian Forgue.  "To come out and get a shutout on our home field it feels great it really gives the back four and the whole team a big boost."

Birmingham made three saves on three shots on goal from Villanova.  The Penn State defense protected him well all night, but he stepped up his game when he needed to.  In the end, Brendan was all smiles after blanking the Wildcats.

"It feels really good, as a keeper it's always great not to let up any goals, its fantastic," said Birmingham. "That's the only way I can put it, it's great."

In his second game, Birmingham had more confidence and was able to play his aggressive style.  That style, not only leads to good performances in net but helps the rest of the team keep up the attack.

"Coach and I have been working on it (being aggressive) if that ball gets played in behind them (the defense) I'm there to clean it up," said Birmingham.  "It takes pressure off them, and we can play it from there."

Despite the heavy rain keeping the keeping the crowd down, the weather did not deter arguably the two most important people in the seats from watching Birmingham record his shutout; his parents.  After the game, he ran over to shake hands with someone in the stands.

"That was my dad, they come to most of the games," said Birmingham.  "It's always great he's there, my mom is a nervous wreck, but that's the life of the parents of a goalkeeper."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State heads into its Big Ten home opener against Illinois looking build some momentum before traveling to Minnesota following the bye week.

We caught up with a pair of Nittany Lions inside the Lasch Football Building this week to discuss a variety of things leading up to Saturday's noon kickoff in Beaver Stadium.  Cornerback Stephon Morris spoke about the Illinois offense yesterday.  Moving to the offensive side of the ball today, we spent some time with senior offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski to get his thoughts on the Illini defense.

Wisniewski has been a vocal leader for the Nittany Lion offense this week.  He is a distinguished member of the squad, on and off the field of play.  Take a look at the video scouting report for his thoughts on the offensive line's preparation for Illinois.

Stay tuned for much more coverage leading up to Saturday's clash with Illinois.