Jan. 26, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - For the sixth consecutive year, the Penn State defense was among the top units in the nation, finishing in the top 15 nationally in the six primary statistical categories during the 2009 season, according to the NCAA.
Penn State was one of only three teams that finished in the top 15 nationally in rushing, total and scoring and pass efficiency defense, as well as sacks and tackles for loss. Oklahoma and Texas were the nation's only other units in the top 15 in the six defensive categories.
The Nittany Lions earned their second consecutive 11-2 campaign last fall, capped by a 19-17 victory over LSU in the 2010 Capital One Bowl, their fourth bowl win in the past five seasons. Penn State was No. 8 in the final USA Today Coaches poll and No. 9 in the Associated Press survey, earning its 23rd final Top 10 ranking under Joe Paterno. The Lions won at least 11 games for the 15th time under the Hall of Fame coach.
In the NCAA's final statistical rankings for the 2009 season, the Nittany Lions permitted just 12.2 points per game to rank No. 3, posting their fifth consecutive top 10 ranking in scoring defense. Penn State led the Big Ten, trailing only Nebraska (10.4 ppg) and Alabama (11.7 ppg) nationally. The Lions held 10 opponents to 17 or fewer points, including five Big Ten opponents, with six opponents overall scoring 10 points or less.
Penn State was No. 6 nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 89.8 yards per game. The Lions have five consecutive Top 10 final rankings, permitting an average of less than 95 yards per game all five years. The Lions held eight opponents to less than 100 rushing yards this past season, with LSU gaining just 41 yards on 25 carries. Penn State allowed only five runs of 20 yards or more all season, with the longest going for 28 yards.
The Nittany Lions have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in the past 16 games, the nation's third-best streak, behind only Alabama (34 games) and Ohio State (23).
All-Americans Navorro Bowman (District Heights, Md.) and Jared Odrick (Lebanon) were instrumental in Penn State ranking No. 9 in the nation in total defense at 274.5 ypg for its sixth consecutive Top 15 finish. The Nittany Lions were No. 15 in pass efficiency defense (105.62 rating), tied for No 6 in tackles for loss (105, 8.08 avg.) and tied for No. 19 in sacks (37, 2.85 avg.).
The Nittany Lions led the Big Ten in Red Zone defense, tied for No. 4 nationally at 67.9 percent (19 of 28), with 11 touchdowns. Penn State was No. 5 nationally in opponent first downs (192, 14.7 avg.) and No. 14 in opponent third down conversions (31.8 pct.), ranking second in the conference in both categories.
Directed by 2008 and '09 first team All-Big Ten quarterback Daryll Clark (Youngstown), the Nittany Lions were second in the conference in total offense at 406.9 ypg and scored 31 or more points eight times during the past season.
Behind first team all-conference linemen Dennis Landolt (Burlington, N.J.) and Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville), Penn State was third in the Big Ten and No. 25 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed with 17. The Lions again were among the top teams in the nation in fewest penalties, leading the conference and ranking No. 3 nationally in fewest penalty yards (31.2 ypg) and fourth in fewest penalties (4.31 ppg).
The Nittany Lions were tied for No. 20 in the nation and third in the Big Ten in Red Zone offense, converting 87.8percent (43 of 49) of their opportunities inside the 20-yard-line. Penn State scored 29 touchdowns and connected on 14 of 16 of its field goal attempts in the Red Zone.
In the individual NCAA statistics, Clark was narrowly edged for the Big Ten pass efficiency lead with a 142.6 rating, good for No. 23 in the nation. All-Big Ten punter Jeremy Boone (Mechanicsburg) was second in the conference and No. 19 nationally with a 43.3 average, tied for No. 2 on the Penn State season records list.
The Nittany Lions are 51-13 (79.7) since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the nation's No. 7 winning percentage over that span. Penn State has won 53 of its last 66 games overall, dating to the final two contests of the 2004 season.
The Nittany Lions return 13 starters for the 2010 season, (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 11 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens the season Sept. 4 vs. Youngstown State in Beaver Stadium and visits 2009 national champion Alabama on Sept. 11.