Dec. 22, 2010
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Coach Joe Paterno met with the media today as Penn State continued its preparations for the 25th Outback Bowl, where the Nittany Lions will clash with the Florida Gators.
The Nittany Lions practiced once today in the warm Florida sunshine at the Carpenter Complex, the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies, their fifth practice in Florida. Penn State practiced twice on Tuesday and will have single practices Thursday and Friday morning before moving to Tampa Friday afternoon. The team will hold its annual Christmas Party with the players, coaches and staff and their families on Christmas Eve, including a visit from Santa Claus. The team will have Christmas Day off.
"I hope Santa shows up, but not on Christmas Eve," Paterno quipped. "I hope he shows up on January 1st."
Prior to practice, Paterno had an opportunity to visit with Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay, winner of the 2010 National League Cy Young Award. Halladay tossed just the 20th perfect game in Major League Baseball history this past season and just the second MLB post-season no-hitter vs. the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NLDS.
December 22 - Team practice |
Also prior to practice, Paterno answered questions from the Tampa Bay media, including how he spent his birthday on Tuesday and the decision to come to Florida two weeks before the game.
"We had a birthday cake," Paterno said. "The kids sang happy birthday. I ate the cake, but I didn't need it. It was a nice day. I've had enough birthdays.
"We came down early to get some practice in. We practiced twice yesterday. The problem is the weather back home. If we stay up there we've got to work indoors. You come down here, get used the weather. The kids can have a good time. Have a little fun, work hard and try to play as well as we can play. We'll bring the families down on the 24th "
Paterno also was asked about practicing at the Phillies' Carpenter Complex.
"We really liked this facility (during a December 9 visit)," he said. "Word got up the guys that run the show and I got a call...and everything was all set...This is a great bowl. We were hoping we'd get here."
Penn State will clash with Florida in the 25th Outback Bowl at 1:00 p.m. on January 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The contest will air on ABC and the Penn State Sports Network. The Nittany Lions and Gators rank among the nation's top 10 in winning percentage since 2005. Paterno's squad will be seeking its fifth bowl victory over the past six seasons, with three wins in New Year's Day post-season games.
The Nittany Lions will be making their 37th post-season trip under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in bowl wins (24) and appearances. Paterno is taking a team to a 25th New Year's bowl game, having compiled a superlative 17-7 mark. Penn State is 3-0 in the Outback Bowl, beating Tennessee in the 2007 contest in its last appearance.
The Outback Bowl is the only 2010-11 bowl game featuring two head coaches who have won a national championship, with Paterno and Florida's Urban Meyer both earning two national titles.
For Outback Bowl ticket information, go to www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets. Tickets also are available by calling 814-865-5555 weekdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
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