Oct. 19, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The huge sack in the end zone recorded by Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick (Lebanon) in the Nittany Lions' 46-17 win over Michigan on Saturday is among the nominees for this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance.
With the game tied at 17-17 late in the third quarter and the Wolverines backed-up near the raucous Penn State student section, defensive end Maurice Evans (Brooklyn, N.Y.) pressured quarterback Nick Sheridan in the end zone. Odrick dropped Sheridan for a safety, giving No. 3 Penn State its first lead at 19-17 and sending the Homecoming crowd of 110,017 into delirium. The play sparked a 27-0 out-burst over the final 19:39 of the contest, as the Nittany Lions improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play.
The safety was Penn State's first since All-America linebacker Dan Connor also recorded a sack in the end zone vs. Illinois in 2006.
Odrick's sack is one of four plays nominated for this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance. Fans can cast their vote for the play until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday at: http://www.pontiac.com/ncaa
The winner of this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance will be announced on ESPN during its Thursday night college football coverage. The winning school will receive $5,000 for the institution's general scholarship fund. The winning play also will be nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year and the chance to win a $100,000 general scholarship contribution from Pontiac.
In addition, all fans that vote for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance are eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship for themselves or a family member. One winner is selected each week during the college football season.
A junior, Odrick was among the standouts for the Penn State defense in the convincing win over the Wolverines, as he made a career-high six tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss (minus-eight yards). A starter in the last seven games, the former Lebanon High School All-American has 20 tackles, with 4.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks and three pass break-ups this season.
Michigan gained 185 yards in the first quarter and added 19 yards early in the second for 204 total and a 17-7 lead. But, from that point, the nationally ranked Penn State defense was relentless, allowing only 87 yards the rest of the way. The Nittany Lions recorded a season-high 13 tackles for loss, with three sacks (including Odrick's safety), forced two fumbles (recovering one) and partially blocked a punt that set-up a field goal.
Penn State is No. 3 in the first Bowl Championship Series rankings, trailing only Oklahoma and Alabama. Penn State is followed by Oklahoma and USC. The Nittany Lions also are No. 3 in the Associated Press, USA Today Coaches and Harris polls.
Coach Joe Paterno's squad visits No. 10 Ohio State on Saturday for an 8:00 p.m. clash between conference co-leaders. The Buckeyes (7-1, 4-0) defeated Michigan State, 45-7, on Saturday. The contest is an ABC national telecast and will air on the Penn State Sports Network and http://www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics.