The Nittany Lions had one of the nation[apos]s premier offensive lines in 2008 and tackle Dennis Landolt was one of five primary reasons for that success. The starter at right tackle in all 26 games the past two seasons, he was instrumental in helping Penn State rank among the nation[apos]s best in rushing, total and scoring offense en route to the 2008 Big Ten crown. With three all-conference linemen having graduated, Landolt returns as the unit[apos]s most experienced player and will be counted on to provide leadership, stability and consistently productive play this season. Selected honorable-mention All-Big Ten by the media and coaches in 2008, he was named first-team preseason all-conference by Phil Steele[apos]s 2009 College Football and Lindy[apos]s College Football Preview magazines and should emerge as a post-season honors candidate. Landolt is a talented, durable, hard worker who continues to make steady progress. He was on the field for 893 plays last season, the most among all returnees this fall. Strong, physical and tough, he has gone about his responsibilities in a productive, no-nonsense, but intense fashion throughout his career. With starting positions on the line during spring practice, Landolt spent some time at left tackle as the coaching staff experimented with getting the best combination on the field. In order for the Nittany Lions to remain among the nation[apos]s most successful and balanced offenses, Landolt will be one of the critical players at the forefront of those efforts. The former Holy Cross HS all-state selection is one of nine returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey. Landolt was on schedule to graduate in August.
2008 Senior Season
Starting every game at right tackle for the second consecutive season, Landolt played an instrumental role in Penn State ranking in the Top 20 nationally in rushing (17th, 205.8 ypg), total (14th, 448.9 ypg) and scoring offense (11th, 38.9 ppg) in 2008. The Nittany Lions led the Big Ten in total and scoring offense, and were second in rushing and third in passing offense (243.1 ypg). The durable Landolt was on the field for 893 plays, third-highest on the squad behind All-Big Ten guard Gerald Cadogan (923) and All-America center A.Q. Shipley (918). Landolt was on the field for a season-high 80 snaps against Michigan and 79 at Iowa. He helped pave the way for Evan Royster to become Penn State[apos]s fourth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher (three different players). He also was key in helping Penn State lead the Big Ten and rank No. 4 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed last season with 13. Landolt helped the Lions gain more than 400 yards 10 times, including 410 against Southern California, the nation[apos]s No. 1-ranked defense, in the Rose Bowl, with four games above 500 yards. Penn State posted seven games with more than 200 rushing yards, led by 334 against Coastal Carolina. The Nittany Lions ran behind the line to tally seven rushing touchdowns in the season-opener, the most since scoring seven against Michigan State in 2002. At Syracuse, the O-line led the charge as Penn State delivered 393 yards in the first half, averaging 8.0 yards per play en route to the 55-13 win.
2007 Junior Season
Landolt won the starting right tackle spot during preseason and started all 13 games. He and the offensive line improved as the season progressed and were instrumental in helping Rodney Kinlaw post the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season by a Nittany Lion in the past six years. Kinlaw[apos]s total of 1,326 yards was ninth-highest in school season history. Landolt helped Penn State average 400.1 yards per game -- 193.8 rushing and 206.3 passing -- and 5.5 yards per play. The Nittany Lions ran for 200 yards or more six times, with 270 yards against Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl, 256 yards against Iowa and 251 yards against Purdue. Behind the O-Line, Penn State chalked up a season-high 270 yards (6.6 per carry) on the ground in the 24-17 Alamo Bowl victory over Texas A&M. The unit paved the way for Penn State to gain 2,519 rushing yards, with 27 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, up 0.6 from 2006. Landolt was on the field for 998 snaps, tied for second-highest on the team and among offensive players, with left tackle Gerald Cadogan. Landolt saw action on a season-high 89 snaps against Iowa and 87 at Indiana.
2006 Sophomore Season
Landolt served as the top reserve at left tackle behind All-American Levi Brown. He played in six games, seeing action on 46 snaps, improved and gained valuable experience as the season progressed. He was on the field for a season-high 18 snaps against Temple and helped the second-team offense produce a 56-yard touchdown drive.
2005 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Landolt was an All-East selection for Coach Jerry McConnell at Holy Cross HS. He became the first freshman to start at Holy Cross in more than 10 years and made 45 consecutive starts in his career. Landolt was selected first-team all-state by the Newark Star-Ledger after not allowing a sack during a span of three seasons. On defense, he recorded 60 tackles with eight sacks as a senior. Rivals.com rated him the nation[apos]s No. 19 tackle in 2004. Landolt also excelled on the wrestling mat, finishing third in the state championships as a senior.
Personal
Full name is Dennis Patrick Landolt. He is majoring in supply chain and information systems in the Smeal College of Business. Born October 15, 1986.