STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; September 11, 2000 -- Senior free safety James Boyd, who collected four turnovers in Penn State's win over Louisiana Tech Saturday, has been selected Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the 67-7 victory over the Bulldogs.
Boyd shares the honor with Wisconsin cornerback Jamar Fletcher, who had three interceptions vs. Oregon.
The Nittany Lions forced seven turnovers against Louisiana Tech, the most since Miami (Fla.) had seven in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, and Boyd collected four, recovering two fumbles and grabbing two interceptions, to lead Penn State's superlative defensive performance. The Chesapeake, Va. product secured all four of his turnovers in Tech territory and they led to 27 points, including his first fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. In addition to his four turnovers, Boyd made four tackles (three solo) and had a pass break-up.
With the score 7-7 and Louisiana Tech taking possession at its own four-yard line, defensive end Justin Kurpeikis forced a fumble, which Boyd scooped up at the six-yard line, shaking off a potential tackler for his first collegiate touchdown. The score gave the Lions a lead they would not relinquish.
On Tech's ensuing possession, outside linebacker Shamar Finney forced a fumble which Boyd pounced on at the Tech 29. On second down, tailback Eric McCoo burst to a 41-yard score for a 20-7 lead.
Boyd's first interception came at the Tech 33-yard line with just :39 left in the first half and set-up a Rashard Casey to McCoo scoring pass with :08 to go for a 43-7 halftime lead.
Midway through the third period, Boyd grabbed his second interception (fifth career) at midfield and returned it 21 yards. Five plays later, tailback Larry Johnson scored from two yards out.
The Nittany Lions turned the seven Bulldog turnovers into 37 points; 44 including points scored after one of the two blocked punts the Lions recorded.
Louisiana Tech entered the game averaging 340.5 yards passing (sixth nationally) and 471.5 yards in total offense (14th in nation), but the Lions limited the Bulldogs to just 45 yards rushing and 122 passing. Tech's longest play all day was a 16-yard pass. The 122 passing yards were the fewest for the Bulldogs since the 1995 season and snapped a string of seven consecutive 300-yard passing games.
Louisiana Tech scored just 2:14 into the game after recovering a fumble at the Penn State 14-yard line. But, on all of their remaining 17 possessions, the Bulldogs did not advance any further than their own 44-yard line.
For the season, Boyd leads the Lions and is second in the Big Ten with 32 tackles (21 solo). He's also tied for the Big Ten lead with two fumble recoveries and is tied with cornerback Bhawoh Jue for the team lead with two interceptions. The former Indian River HS standout made a career-high 16 tackles against Toledo on Sept. 2, the most for the Nittany Lion since linebacker Gerald Filardi made 17 against Wisconsin in 1996.
Penn State is allowing 116.3 ypg through the air to rank 13th nationally. The Lions are allowing an average of 267.7 ypg in total defense to rank 25th in the nation.
Boyd is the second Nittany Lion to earn the Big Ten's Defensive honor this season, joining cornerback Bruce Branch, who was selected following the USC game.
Coach Joe Paterno's Lions (1-2) visit Pittsburgh (2-0) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for a CBS split national telecast from Three Rivers Stadium.