| Stephfon Green |
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Penn State will have arguably the best running back tandem in the Big Ten, and possibly one of the nation's best, in sophomore Stephfon Green and junior Evan Royster. The vastly talented and athletic Green emerged as a great complement to Royster last season. The respect Green gained in his first season on the field resulted in him being selected preseason fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele's 2009 College Football, despite not starting any games in 2008. The swift and agile Green ran for 578 yards on 105 carries for a strong 5.5 average and four rushing touchdowns. His quickness, vision and ability to avoid would-be tacklers make him an exciting option to carry or catch the ball. He also is a highly-effective and dangerous receiver, averaging 17.9 yards on his 15 receptions. In a season of many memorable plays, Green delivered one of the most exciting and the longest play from scrimmage for the Nittany Lions in 2008. In the 46-17 win over Michigan, he took a screen pass, burst up the middle, then down the near sideline, putting a move on one last potential tackler, to pull away and complete the 80-yard score. The touchdown was tied for the fifth-longest pass play in Penn State history and was the longest since Kerry Collins and Freddie Scott connected on an 82-yard completion against Rutgers in 1994. The catch and run gave Green two of Penn State's three longest plays from scrimmage for the season, having broken off a season-high 69-yard touchdown run against Temple. He gained a team-high 124 all-purpose yards against Southern California in the 2009 Rose Bowl, but left the game with a dislocated right ankle suffered on a fourth-quarter carry, an injury that sidelined him for spring drills. He is expected to be 100 percent prior to the start of preseason camp. The hard-working and strong Green has made significant progress during his initial two years in the program. The personable young man has a very promising future and should continue to make the primary ball-carrying duties a highly competitive situation, in addition to his productivity in the passing game and on kick returns. Green is one of five returning Nittany Lions from New York, all of whom are from metropolitan New York City. He and teammates Nerraw McCormack and Shaine Thompson all played at John F. Kennedy HS in the Bronx.
2008 Sophomore Season
Green ran for 578 yards on 105 carries for a strong 5.5 average and four rushing touchdowns while playing in every game. He also made 15 receptions for 268 yards, and the team's highest average (17.9 ypg) for players with 10 or more catches. In his Penn State debut, Green thrilled the Beaver Stadium audience with his speed and shiftiness, gaining a team-high 89 yards on 10 carries against Coastal Carolina. He scored the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career, finding the end zone on a pair of seven-yard scampers. Green rushed 10 times for 52 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, in the 55-13 thumping of Syracuse. He reached the century mark for the first time in his career, gaining 132 yards on only nine carries (14.7 avg.) in the 45-3 victory over Temple. In the third quarter, he broke off a season-high 69-yard touchdown run against the Owls. The play was Penn State's longest rush of 2008, giving Green two of the squad's three longest plays from scrimmage for the season. In the win at Purdue, he ran seven times for 58 yards, including a 28-yard burst, for an impressive 7.7 yards per carry. Green took a screen pass and blazed 80 yards for a touchdown in the 46-17 win over Michigan. The touchdown was tied for the fifth-longest pass play in Penn State history and was the longest since Kerry Collins and Freddie Scott connected on an 82-yard completion against Rutgers in 1994. Green gained 23 yards on three carries in the critical win at Ohio State and tallied 31 yards on just three attempts at Iowa. Green ran for 26 yards and caught one pass for 37 yards in the Big Ten-clinching win over Michigan State. His lone reception was big, converting a third-and-17 into a first down while keeping alive a drive that would culminate in a Daryll Clark rushing touchdown and a 21-0 lead. Green saw significant playing time against Southern California in the 2009 Rose Bowl, gaining a team-high 57 yards on 10 carries and 67 receiving yards on a team-high five catches. His 124 all-purpose yards led the Lions, but he left the game with a dislocated right ankle suffered on a fourth-quarter carry, an injury that sidelined him for spring drills. Green was on the field for 269 snaps, led by 36 against USC and 32 against Indiana.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Green was the leading rusher in the 2008 Blue-White game with 87 yards on 12 carries (7.2), including a 57-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game.
High School
Green was a first-team all-conference selection for Coach Alex Vega at John F. Kennedy HS. He rushed for 740 yards, on just 50 carries, and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged a superlative 14.8 yards per carry. On defense, he recorded 21 stops and grabbed two interceptions. As a junior, Green rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He was a prep teammate of Nittany Lion tackle Nerraw McCormack and linebacker Shaine Thompson.
Personal
Full name is Stephfon P. Green. He is enrolled in the crime, law and justice program. Born May 28, 1989.
Green's 2008 Game-by-Game
Rushing (Carries-Yards-TD)
Coastal Carolina 10-89-2; Oregon State 11-19-0; Syracuse 10-52-1; Temple 9-132-1; Illinois 6-22-0; Purdue 7-54-0; Wisconsin 7-15-0; Michigan 10-28-0; Ohio State 3-23-0; Iowa 3-31-0; Indiana 10-30-0; Michigan State 9-26-0; USC 10-57-0.
