Nov. 14, 2008
Penn State returns to Happy Valley for the first time since Oct. 18, hosting Indiana in the first of two consecutive home games to conclude the regular season.
The No. 8/7 Nittany Lions (9-1, 5-1) are looking to shake off the sting of last week's heart-breaking 24-23 last second loss at Iowa. Penn State will be looking to earn its 20th season with at least 10 wins under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno.
The Nittany Lions will be making their third appearance of the season on the Big Ten Network, which is available in approximately 70 million households nationwide. The Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com also will air the game,
Penn State controls its fate for the Big Ten Championship and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series. Should the Nittany Lions be able to defeat Indiana and Michigan State the next two weeks, Penn State would represent the conference in the Rose Bowl, if not ranked No. 1 or 2 in the final BCS standings, which will be announced Dec. 7.
The Nittany Lions have won 25 of their last 27 games in Beaver Stadium, dating to a 37-13 win over Michigan State on Senior Day on Nov. 20, 2004.
The Nittany Lions own an 11-0 advantage in a series that began in 1993. The teams are meeting in State College for the first time since 2003. Last year, Penn State earned a 36-31 win in Bloomington. All 11 games have been high scoring and produced several memorable offensive performances. The teams have combined to score 684 points, an average of 62.2 per contest. The Lions have scored 434 points (39.4 ppg) and the Hoosiers 250 (22.7 ppg).
Penn State senior standout wide receiver Deon Butler (Woodbridge, Va.) made three catches against Iowa and is one reception away from becoming Penn State's career leader. Butler, who came to Penn State as a walk-on defensive back, has 167 career receptions, moving into a tie for the school lead with Bobby Engram, who had 167 catches during his brilliant career (1991, `95-95).
The Big Ten Network's Big Ten Football Saturday: Pre-Game Show presented by Suzuki ATVs will originate from Penn State on Saturday.
The show airs from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and will precede the Network's coverage of the Penn State-Indiana game. The show will originate from in front of the Byrce Jordan Center, near Curtin Road, and fans are encouraged to attend. Brent Stover is the host and former Minnesota coach Glen Mason will be the analyst for the program.
Also on Saturday, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) will have a display near Beaver Stadium. Penn State's Daryll Clark is among the O'Brien Semifinalists and fans can vote for Clark online, as well as at the O'Brien Award display, which will be located on Curtin Road, in front of the Bryce Jordan Center, at the Indiana game.
The display will open prior to the 12 p.m. kickoff and continue until just after kickoff.
Penn State fans are encouraged to stop by The O'Brien displays and cast their vote for Clark, who has thrown for 1,738 yards, with 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season. Fans who vote will also have the opportunity to be entered into the "Defend Your Pride. Vote The O'Brien Sweepstakes," for a chance to win a trip to the 2009 O'Brien Awards Dinner.
The O'Brien on-the-road tour will collect votes throughout the Semifinalist period until Finalists are announced November 24. Finalists will be selected by The O'Brien Selection Committee, comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners, with five percent of the overall voting tally coming directly from the Fan Vote.
Fans who are not able to cast a vote in person can register and vote at www.VoteOBrien.org.
Following the Indiana game, Penn State hosts No. 15 Michigan State (9-2, 6-1) at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the regular season finale. The Nittany Lion seniors will be introduced before the game. The clash for the Land Grant Trophy will have significant Big Ten Championship implications. The Spartans are idle on Saturday. The contest will air on ABC/ESPN the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com.