STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; August 28, 2000 -- Junior cornerback Bruce Branch has been selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Penn State's 29-5 loss to Southern California Sunday in the Kickoff Classic.
Branch, who would have started if not for a slight knee sprain, was one of the standouts for the Penn State defense, which did an admirable job against No. 15 Southern California despite playing with nine new starters. The Huguenot HS product from Richmond, Va. made a career-best seven tackles (all solo), forced a fumble on a sack and had two pass break-ups. The 5-11, 184-pound Branch, who was shifted to the secondary after playing wide receiver in 1998, did not have any punt returns vs. USC, but has three career punt return touchdowns, tying him for the school record.
The Nittany Lion defense held the Trojans to 16 points, three of which came after a poor snap on a punt gave USC the ball at the PSU 28-yard-line. The Lions held USC to 251 yards, only 87 passing, as Trojan quarterback Carson Palmer was 10 of 20 for 87 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The theft, by senior cornerback Bhawoh Jue (Chantilly, Va.), came at the USC 38 and set-up Ryan Primanti's (Thorndale) 37-yard field goal in the first quarter. The Lions also sacked Palmer three times. Southern California held the ball for 37:10, but could muster only 15 first downs, three via the pass, against the Lions.
Penn State hosts Toledo in Saturday's home opener at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is at 12:10 p.m. for the espn2 telecast.