Dec. 28, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Penn State football team visited Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure today following practice with Friday's Capital One Bowl clash with LSU in sight.
Four Nittany Lions rode on the Incredible Hulk Coaster soon after arriving at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Defensive end Jack Crawford, tailback Stephfon Green, cornerback D'Anton Lynn and tight end Mickey Shuler rode the fast and tall roller coaster twice in matter of 20 minutes, sitting in the front row on their second spin.
"It was intense," stated Crawford of the Hulk Coaster. "The first time was a big shock. It was better being up front."
"This was the best ride I've been on down here (Orlando) by far," said Lynn, who also made his first visit to Universal Orlando.
The starting cornerback also was asked about practice and preparing for the Tigers.
"Joe (Paterno) wanted us to get back in the groove of things," Lynn said about last week's practices in Daytona Beach. "LSU has some big receivers that are fast and strong. They will be a good challenge for us."
The Nittany Lions held their second practice in Orlando under breezy, partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60's.
The Nittany Lions (10-2) will play LSU (9-3) in the 64th Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010. The teams are meeting for just the second time, with the first meeting resulting in a 16-9 Penn State win in the 1974 Orange Bowl. The 2010 Capital One Bowl will kick at 1:00 p.m. in Orlando, Fla. and air on ABC, Sports USA Radio and the Penn State Sports Network. Penn State will be playing in its fourth different New Year's bowl game in the last five years.
For ticket information for the Capital One Bowl, go to Bowl Central at www.GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Penn State is 50-13 (79.3) since the start of the 2005 season, the nation's No. 8 winning percentage over that span. Penn State will be playing in its 36th bowl game under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in post-season appearances and victories (23-11-1 record). The Nittany Lions were No. 13 in the final Bowl Championship Series rankings.
Penn State has earned its 24th New Year's bowl bid under the Hall of Fame coach, who owns a 16-7 mark in such contests. The Nittany Lions have posted Paterno's Football Bowl Subdivision record 21st season with at least 10 victories. The Lions are playing in their fifth Capital One Bowl and first since meeting Auburn on January 1, 2003.