Penn State news and notes

News and notes from Penn State's 59-0 season opening win versus Florida International...

-Courtesy of Penn State University

-Penn State is now 100-19-2 in season openers, and 35-7 under Coach Joe Paterno. Additionally, the Nittany Lions are 108-12-1 in home openers.

- The Nittany Lions have won 23 of their last 28 games, dating to the final two games of the 2004 season. Penn State has won four straight games overall.

-Penn State’s 28 points in the third quarter are the most points that the Lions have notched in a single stanza since scoring 28 points in both the first and second quarters at Illinois in 2005.

- The Nittany Lions have three shutouts in their last six games.

- The shutout was Penn State’s 38th under Coach Joe Paterno.

-The 59 points by Penn State today are the most that the Nittany Lions have scored since putting 63 points on the board at Illinois in 2005. It is also the largest margin of victory for the Lions since Penn State defeated Louisiana Tech by 60 points (67-7) in 2000.

-The 59-0 shutout is the largest shutout victory for the Lions since Penn State beat Cincinnati 81-0 in 1991.

-Penn State had not recorded a shutout in a season opener since defeating Cincinnati 52-0 in 1981.

-The 114 yards of total offense allowed by the Lions is tied for third-fewest allowed by Penn State under Coach Paterno. Temple gained 74 yards in 2006, Army had 97 in 1972 and Cincinnati also had 114 yards in 1987.

-The Nittany Lion defense forced five turnovers today (all fumbles) for the most turnovers forced by the defense since forcing five against Michigan State in 2004.

-Penn State held Florida International to (minus-3) yards rushing on 31 attempts, which is the fewest yards allowed by Penn State since holding Wisconsin to (minus-11) yards rushing in 2005.

-Florida International had 7 first downs today, tied for the ninth fewest allowed by Penn State under Coach Joe Paterno.

-Anthony Morelli’s 231 yards passing in the first half broke the Penn State first half pasing yardage record. The old record was 219 yards by Mike McQueary against Wisconsin in 1997.

-Morelli established new career highs today in pass attempts (38), completions (23), and yardage (295). His old career highs were 37 attempts vs. Michigan State, 21 completions at Notre Dame and 288 yards vs. Northwestern, all set last year. He also tied a career high with three touchdown passes, which he set last year in the season opener vs. Akron.

-Jordan Norwood had five receptions today, giving him 75 for his career and moving him into 15th place in the Penn State annals. He trails Eddie Drummond (76 catches) for 14th place.

-Deon Butler’s 66 yards receiving today give him a total of 1,291 yards for his career, which moves him into 12th place at Penn State. Eleventh place is held by Ted Kwalick, with 1,343 yards.

-Terrell Golden’s first quarter touchdown reception was the third of his career, and his first touchdown reception since a 47-yard grab against Central Michigan in the third game of the 2005 season.

-Mickey Shuler’s 17-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter was the first catch of his career and his first career touchdown. His father, Mickey, caught his last Penn State TD pass vs. West Virginia on Oct. 22, 1977.

-Evan Royster’s 13-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter was the first touchdown of his career.

-Dan Lawlor’s 16-yard dash on the first play of the fourth quarter marked his first career touchdown.

-Jared Odrick blocked the first kick (field goal) of his career late in the second quarter. He also recorded his second career sack.

-Navorro Bowman’s third quarter fumble recovery was the first of his career. Bowman also blocked the first kick (punt) of his career in the third quarter.

-Chris Baker notched the first sack of his career in the fourth quarter.

-Jerome Hayes recorded his first career sack in the second quarter.

-Justin King’s first quarter fumble recovery was the first of his career.

-Dan Connor’s first quarter fumble recovery was the second of his career.

-Phil Taylor’s first quarter fumble recovery was the first of his career.

-Jerome Hayes recorded his first career sack early in the second quarter.

-Aaron Maybin notched his first career sack in the fourth quarter.

-The following players started their first games for Penn State today:
Offense: WR Chris Bell
OT Dennis Landolt

Defense: DE Maurice Evans
DT Jared Odrick
DT Ollie Ogbu
CB Lydell Sargeant