Jan. 27, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - For the fifth consecutive year, the Penn State defense was among the top units in the nation, finishing in the top 10 nationally in three primary statistical categories, according to the NCAA. Penn State was one of only four teams that finished in the top 10 nationally in rushing, total and scoring defense, being joined by Alabama, Southern California and TCU.
The Nittany Lion offense led the Big Ten in two of the four primary categories and was ranked in the Top 20 nationally in three categories.
The Nittany Lions (11-2) won their second Big Ten title and Bowl Championship berth in the past four years during the 2008 season. Penn State was No. 8 in the final Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls, earning its 22nd final Top 10 ranking under Joe Paterno. The Lions won at least 11 games for the 14th time under the Hall of Fame coach.
Penn State has earned one of the nation's Top 10 records since the start of the 2005 season, posting a 40-11 (78.4) mark, good for No. 9 nationally. The Nittany Lions have won 42 of their last 53 games overall, dating to the final two games of the 2004 season.
Over the past five seasons, Penn State ranks No. 5 in the nation in total defense (293.7 ypg) and No. 5 in scoring defense (15.7 ppg). During the 2004-08 seasons, the Nittany Lions have ranked in the Top 15 nationally each year in total and scoring defense, with four Top 10 finishes in rushing defense and a trio of Top 15 finishes in pass efficiency defense and sacks.
In the NCAA's final statistical rankings for the 2008 season, Penn State led the Big Ten and was No. 8 nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 93.2 yards per game. The Lions have four consecutive Top 10 final rankings, permitting an average of less than 95 yards per game all four years. The Lions held eight opponents to less than 100 rushing yards this season, with Michigan State (35) and USC (61) failing to combine for 100 yards on the ground in the last two games.
Penn State allowed only three runs of 20 yards or more all season.
The Nittany Lions also posted their fourth consecutive top 10 ranking in scoring defense, permitting just 14.4 points per game to rank No. 8. Penn State held nine opponents to 18 or fewer points, with four Big Ten opponents scoring seven or fewer points. The Lions were third in the conference in scoring defense.
Penn State also led the Big Ten and was ranked No. 8 in the nation in total defense at 280.1 ypg for its fifth consecutive Top 15 finish. The Lions were third in the conference and No. 19 nationally in pass efficiency defense (107.79 rating). Penn State allowed only 10 touchdown passes all season, 10th-best in the nation.
Directed by first team All-Big Ten quarterback Daryll Clark (Youngstown, Ohio) and three first team offensive linemen, the Nittany Lions led the conference and were No. 14 nationally in total offense at 448.9 ypg. Penn State also led the Big Ten and was No. 11 in the nation in scoring offense at 38.9 ppg, scoring 34 or more points nine times.
Derrick Williams |
Led by All-Big Ten tailback Evan Royster (Fairfax, Va.) and Penn State's best offensive line in more than a decade, the Lions were No. 2 in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation in rushing at 205.8 ypg. Clark led the Lions to a No. 3 conference ranking in passing offense at 243.1 ypg, good for No. 37 nationally.
The Nittany Lions were tied for No. 6 in the nation and second in the Big Ten in Red Zone offense, converting 92.4 percent (61 of 66) of their opportunities inside the 20-yard-line. Penn State scored 44 touchdowns and connected on all 17 of its field goal attempts in the Red Zone.
Led by second team All-American Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.), Penn State led the Big Ten and was No. 10 nationally in kickoff returns at 24.5 ypr. Punter Jeremy Boone (Mechanicsburg) paced the Lions to No. 1 in the conference and No. 11 in the nation in net punting at 40.7 ypp.
Penn State led the Big Ten and was tied for No. 4 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed with 13. The Lions again were among the top teams in the nation in fewest penalties, leading the conference and ranking No. 3 nationally in fewest penalties (3.77 ppg) and penalty yards (31.4 ypg)
In the individual NCAA statistics, Big Ten career kick scoring leader Kevin Kelly (Langhorne) was tied for No. 9 in the nation in overall scoring (T 2nd in Big Ten) with 120 points for a 9.2 ppg average. Kelly was tied for No. 13 nationally in field goals, with an average of 1.54 per game (20 of 24 overall). His 425 points rank No. 2 on the NCAA career kick scoring list and second on the Big Ten overall scoring list, just one point behind Wisconsin tailback Ron Dayne.
All-America defensive end Aaron Maybin (Ellicott City, Md..) led the Big Ten and was tied for No. 7 nationally with 12 solo sacks for a .92 average. Maybin was No. 2 in the conference and tied for No. 9 in the nation with 20 tackles for loss for a 1.54 average.