Sept. 19, 2011
PENN STATE (2-1; 0-0 Big Ten) vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN (2-1; 0-0 MAC)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 2011 @ 12:01 P.M. (ET) • ESPN2
BEAVER STADIUM (106,572) • UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
TELEVISION: ESPN2 Beth Mowins (p-by-p), Mike Bellotti (analyst).
TV APPEARANCES: The Nittany Lions are appearing on television for the 207th time in their last 209 games.
RADIO: Penn State Sports Network (60 stations):
Steve Jones (p-by-p) & Jack Ham (analyst)
Local: 93.7 FM & 1450 AM; Sirius: CH 113; XM: CH 198
WEMU (89.1): Matt Shephard (p-by-p), Andrew Wellock (analyst)
WEB: Gametracker & Audio: www.GoPSUsports.com
ATTENDANCE: 100,000+
SERIES: The Nittany Lions and Eagles are meeting for just the second time. Penn State won 52-7 in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 19, 1992, the year before the Nittany Lions began Big Ten Conference play. Eastern Michigan is scheduled to return to Happy Valley on Sept. 7, 2013.
COACHES:
Joe Paterno:
PENN STATE RECORD: 403-136-3 (74.6), 46th year
OVERALL RECORD: Same
VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN: 1-0
NOTABLE: 62nd year on Penn State staff...all-time leader in career wins among FBS (1-A) coaches...300 wins faster than any coach in NCAA history...College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2007)
RON ENGLISH:
EASTERN MICHIGAN RECORD: 4-23, 3rd year
OVERALL RECORD: same
VS. PENN STATE: 0-0
THIS WEEK
Penn State plays its final non-conference game of the regular season, hosting Eastern Michigan in the second meeting between the schools. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Nittany Lion jersey to the contest with the Eagles. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 14-10 win at Temple, as the defense forced three turnovers and limited the Owls to 197 yards, 248 below their average entering the game. Eastern Michigan suffered its first loss, a 31-3 decision at neighboring Michigan. Penn State has a 60-20 (75.0) record since the start of the 2005 season, tied with Oregon for the the nation's 11th-best winning percentage over the past seven seasons.
BOUNCING BACK
With its win at Temple, Penn State is 15-3 in its next game after a loss since the start of the 2005 season. The Nittany Lions are 17-3 after a loss if the 2009 and 2011 season opening wins are included.