Jan. 9, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the fourth consecutive year, the Penn State defense was among the top units in the nation, finishing in the top 15 nationally in three primary statistical categories, as well as sacks and tackles for losses, according to the NCAA.
The Nittany Lions were one of only three teams that finished in the top 15 nationally in rushing, total and scoring defense, sacks and TFL, being joined by Ohio State and Southern California.
Penn State defeated Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl to finish with a 9-4 record. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 25 in the final USA Today Coaches poll, earning their 33rd Top 25 finish under Coach Joe Paterno. Penn State was second among teams also receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25.
Penn State has won 31 of its last 40 games and over the past three seasons is 29-9 (76.3), among the top 15 records in the nation.
Over the past four seasons, Penn State ranks No. 4 in the nation in total defense (297.3 ypg) and is tied for No. 4 in scoring defense (16.0 ppg). During the 2004-07 seasons, the Nittany Lions have ranked in the Top 15 nationally each year in total and scoring defense, with three Top 10 finishes in rushing defense and sacks and a trio of Top 15 finishes in pass efficiency defense.
In the NCAA's final statistical rankings for the 2007 season, Penn State was No. 7 nationally in rushing defense for the third consecutive year, allowing just 93.8 yards per game, permitting an average of less than 95 yards per game in all three years. The Lions held eight opponents to 90 rushing yards or less this season, allowed just three runs of more than 18 yards on 449 rushing attempts by the opposition and just nine rushing touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions posted their third consecutive top 10 ranking in scoring defense, permitting just 17.5 points per game to rank No. 7. The opposition scored four touchdowns on interceptions or kickoff returns. Penn State held seven opponents to 17 or fewer points, recording a pair of shutouts, the 38th and 39th all-time under Paterno.
The Nittany Lion defense has allowed 26 touchdowns in the last 19 games, recording four shutouts during the span.
Penn State ranked 11th in the nation in total defense at 308.2 ypg for their fourth consecutive Top 15 finish.
The Nittany Lions were second in the nation in sacks, recording 46 for a 3.54 per game average. Georgia Tech led with 48 sacks. Penn State was No. 10 in tackles for losses 102, an average of 7.85 per contest.
In the Big Ten rankings, Penn State led in sacks and was second in rushing, scoring and total defense and TFL. The Lions were fifth in the conference and No. 41 nationally in pass efficiency defense (117.7 rating).
A season-high 270 yards against Texas A&M lifted Penn State to 29th nationally in rushing offense (193.8 ypg), led by senior tailback Rodney Kinlaw (Goose Creek, S.C). The 2007 Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP gained 1,329 yards, the ninth-highest total in school season history. The starter for the last nine games, Kinlaw earned six 100-yard rushing games this season, including 143 yards in the Alamo Bowl win.
Penn State also earned high national rankings in: net punting (3rd, 39.4 ypp), fewest penalty yards (3rd, 34.3 ypg), fewest penalties (3rd, 4.4 per game) and punt return coverage (10th, 5.35 ypr).
In the individual NCAA statistics, sophomore All-Big Ten defensive end Maurice Evans (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was ranked in the Top 10 in three categories: tackles for losses (6th, 21.5), sacks (8th, 12.5) and forced fumbles (6th, 5). Senior All-America linebacker Dan Connor (Wallingford) was No. 8 in tackles with 145 (11.1 avg.) and junior all-conference linebacker Sean Lee (Pittsburgh), the Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP, was tied for No. 17 with 138 tackles (10.6 avg.). Connor and Lee ranked 1-2 in the Big Ten in tackles.
Junior All-Big Ten cornertback Justin King (Pittsburgh) was tied for No. 19 in passes defended with 17. All-Big Ten freshman Jeremy Boone (Mechanicsburg) was No. 19 in punting at 43.02 ypp after averaging a school bowl record 51.4 yards on his five kicks against Texas A&M. Junior placekicker Kevin Kelly (Langhorne) was tied for 19th in field goals, making 20 of 26 for a 1.54 per game average.
Joe Paterno enters his 43rd season as head coach with 20 returning starters (10 defense, 8 offense, 2 specialists). During the 2008 campaign, the Nittany Lions will face eight teams that played in bowl games this past year, including five at home: Oregon State (Sept. 6), Illinois (Sept. 27), Michigan (Oct. 18-Homecoming), Indiana (Nov. 15) and Michigan State (Nov. 22).