| Ollie Ogbu |
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New York City doesn't have a Division I-A football program to call its own, but many college football fans in the Big Apple have adopted Penn State as their team through the years. A steady stream of gridiron standouts from New York City, Long Island and northern New Jersey have made their way to Happy Valley. And, of course, Joe Paterno is one of their own, having been born and raised in Brooklyn. This year, there are at least seven Nittany Lions from metropolitan New York, including Staten Island's Ollie Ogbu. He played a prominent role for a defensive line altered by injuries and attrition at the outset of the 2008 season and again will be counted on for significant contributions this year. A strong, quick and highly-skilled athlete, Ogbu started nine games last season and likely will be battling Abe Koroma for an assignment with the first unit. He helped Penn State rank No. 8 in the nation in rushing defense last year, allowing just 93.2 yards per game. The former Milford Academy All-American is an intense competitor with a relentless attitude and the ability to make big plays. The hard-working and tough Ogbu should continue to play a significant role for the defense the next two seasons. He is one of five returnees from New York.
2008 Junior Season
Ogbu played in every game for the second consecutive year, helping Penn State rank No. 8 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 93.2 yards per game. A starter in nine contests, Ogbu recorded 17 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses, with two sacks. He made three stops each against Syracuse and Temple. In the Big Ten opener with Illinois, Ogbu made two hits, with 0.5 TFL. He recorded his first sack of the season in the 48-7 win at Wisconsin, good for a loss of six yards, and posted two tackles in the victory over Indiana. Ogbu made two stops in the 49-18 win over Michigan State, including a first-quarter sack on third down, to help the Nittany Lions gain momentum in their Big Ten title-clinching win. He saw action on 369 snaps, led by 43 against Oregon State.
2007 Sophomore Season
Playing in every game, with four starts, Ogbu was fourth on the squad with 10.0 TFL for minus-29 yards. Only All-Big Ten honorees Maurice Evans, Dan Connor and Sean Lee delivered more minus-yardage plays than Ogbu. For the season, he made 18 tackles, with 10.0 TFL, one sack and one forced fumble. He was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team. He recorded two tackles, one for a loss, and forced a fumble against Florida International in his Nittany Lion debut. Ogbu recorded a season-high 3.0 TFL at Michigan among his season-best four tackles (three solo). He also had 2.5 TFL, with a sack, among his four stops in the win over Buffalo and added single minus-yardage hits against Wisconsin and Ohio State. Ogbu started the regular-season finale at Michigan State and recorded three tackles. He made one minus-yardage hit in the 24-17 victory over Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Ogbu was on the field for 390 plays, led by 50 in the win over the Aggies and 47 snaps at Michigan.
2006 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Ogbu was named a PrepStar Magazine All-American at Milford Academy, playing for Coach William Chaplick.
Personal
Full name is Olong O. Ogbu. He is majoring in sociology. Born May 18, 1987.
Ogbu's 2008 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Coastal Carolina 1-0-1; Oregon State 0-0-0; Syracuse 3-2-1; Temple 3-2-1; Illinois 2-1-1; Purdue 0-0-0; Wisconsin 1-1-0; Michigan 1-0-1; Ohio State 1-0-1; Iowa 0-0-0; Indiana 2-0-2; Michigan State 2-2-0; USC 1-1-0.
Ogbu's 2007 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Florida International 2-1-1; Notre Dame 0-0-0; Buffalo 4-1-3; Michigan 4-3-1; Illinois 0-0-0; Iowa 1-0-1; Wisconsin 1-1-0; Indiana 0-0-0; Ohio State 2-1-1; Purdue 0-0-0; Temple 0-0-0; Michigan State 3-1-2; Texas A&M 1-1-0.
