You’re new here aren’t you? Well that’s okay. But between getting your books, finding your classroom and trying to decide if you’re ever going to make friends with all these strange people there isn’t much time for anything else. That includes getting up to speed on Penn State football.
Chances are you didn’t end up at Penn State without some knowledge about the program even if sports aren’t your thing. Even so, knowing just a little bit about the team might help break the ice on a few occasions. Everyone is going to talk about it, you may as well have some idea of what’s going on.
So next time you’ve got a moment to process this brave new world you’re entering, here are 15 things to know, in no particular order, about Penn State football.
1. Christian Hackenberg
You may have heard of him. The former No. 1 rated quarterback of his recruiting class, a cannon arm and a smile that will make him a few dollars once he goes pro.
You’ve probably also heard that he throws interceptions, has missed a pass or two and hasn’t always lived up to his billing. You wouldn’t be wrong, but you also would be putting a lot of the blame on his shoulders. To be sure, Hackenberg hasn’t been perfect, but he’s the reason you bought tickets. Not because you want to see him, but because without him, who knows where the program might be right now.
Chances are you’ve shown up on campus at the right time. If 2015-16 is his last year at Penn State, it may have been his best. Especially if the offensive line does its part.
2. Joe, Bill and James
Joe Paterno is a name you probably already know. Winningest coach of all-time with a lot of accolades on top of that to boot. His role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal is a point of controversy, don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Then there is Bill O’Brien, the Houston Texans’ head coach who left after his second year at Penn State on New Year’s Eve. It wasn’t the optimal way to go, but there is little doubt that O’Brien was a massive part of keeping the program together. As time has gone on O’Brien is more fondly remembered around these parts by most fans. He called his team “a bunch of fighters” on national TV once, but it sounded like he said something a little less PG.
And that leaves us James Franklin. The former Vanderbilt head coach turned Nittany Lion with roots in PA and recruiting pipelines in every state this side of the Mississippi. He has his work cut out for him, but it’s clear he never stops working.
3. 2005 and 2002
Fans who have been around for a while will tell you about the “Dark Years” a span from 2002-2004 where the Nittany Lions lost and lost a lot. With Paterno’s career on the ropes Penn State turned the 2005 season into one of redemption ending the year ranked No. 3 in the nation and two seconds away from being undefeated if not for a mid-season loss to Michigan on the game’s final play. The 2005 Ohio State here in State College is considered one of the best, if not loudest and wildest, games in the program’s history.
Speaking of big games, Penn State hosted the largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history against Nebraska in 2002. The total 110,753 is the bar to be broken. Most seasons the crowd will break the 105,000 mark at least once.
4. Bob Shoop and Tom Bradley
After having four defensive coordinators in four years, Bob Shoop has brought strong defense back to forefront of the program. After picking up a nice raise this offseason, Shoop is looking to put together another standout defensive unit. In 2014-15 Penn State had the top ranked run defense in the nation. While a few names are between the two coaches, Shoop is looking largely to replace the stability that former coordinator Tom Bradley left behind in the post-Paterno era. Bradley is now the DC at UCLA.
5. Anthony Zettel
No. 98 on the field is one of the best defensive tackles in the nation. You’ll hear his name called a lot this year as well as his partner in crime Austin Johnson. Zettel is also well-known for his bizarre exploits like tackling a tree and kicking water bottles.
6. Akeel Lynch/DaeSean Hamilton
It’s also good to know who the running back is and this year a third-year Canadian born “Big Maple” is taking over that role. He’ll get plenty of help from younger faces, but after waiting and waiting, it’s finally Lynch’s turn to shine. Hamilton is Penn State’s returning pass catcher with 82 receptions on the year in 2014.
7. 409
One of the NCAA sanctions was the vacating of just over 100 of Penn State’s win from the record books. Now that those have been “given back” Joe Paterno is now recognized as having coached Penn State to 409 victories. It doesn’t mean much more than that, but now you know the most popular number in town.
8. 85 scholarships
Just last season Penn State was still playing well under the limit of the NCAA allotted 85 scholarships thanks to the sanctions. In fact, the Nittany Lions, between injuries, redshirts and Penn State was play just under 50 players a game by season’s end. Considering that opponents would have 15-25 more players to pick from each week it made for a huge talent gap.
Penn State is still working on making the talent on the roster better, but it’s already improved. Being on scholarship makes you a scholarship player but it doesn’t mean you have scholarship talent. That will take time, but recruiting has already started to turn that tide. Penn State will play this season around 83 scholarship players. Far fewer will see the field.
9. Refs and replays
If you enjoy being outraged about calls made on the field well after they’ve happened here are two to pick from. A faulty replay system gave Ohio State an interception that clearly wasn’t last season. On top of that the Buckeyes kicked a field goal well after the play clock hit zero. Considering the game went to double overtime against the eventual national champions, there are plenty of people not letting these mistakes go. Now you can join the mob.
10. Joe Julius
It should be brought to your attention that Penn State has a 261 pound, 5-foot-10 kicker. He’ll replace Sam Ficken who missed most of his field goals early in his career before becoming nearly automatic. Julius has big shoes to fill, but seems physically prepared for that job already.
11. Mark Parker
He’s a Penn State alum, Nike’s CEO and soon to be the leader of the company at-large once Phil Knight finally retires. Good trivia to have.
12. Sandy Barbour
Penn State’s new athletic director entering her second year on the job. She’s from Cal, energetic and can be in probably five places at once. She knows her stuff. Chances are you’ll see her sooner rather than later if you make it out of your dorm.
13. 1994
Most fans will have Penn State’s 1994 team as one of the best they’ve seen in person. The Nittany Lions went undefeated but missed out on a national title shot in favor of Nebraska but still can hang their hat on one of the best offenses in the history of college football. That snub in favor of Nebraska is largely the reasons why the 2002 game was the most attended as it was the first meeting between the two programs since that 94 season. *Penn State won 40-7.
That undefeated dream in 1994 stayed a live on a 95+ yard drive to beat Illinois on the road in what is simply referred to as “The Drive.”
14. Recruiting
James Franklin and his staff are some of the best recruiters in the nation. If all goes as planned Penn State will finish up its second straight recruiting haul with a Top 10 ranked class.
15. Herb Hand
Penn State’s offensive line coach is maybe the most interesting man on campus. Active on Twitter, a certified scuba diver and a participant on the Food Network’s show Chopped, Hand is always doing something. The offensive line has gotten a lot of criticism the past 12 months, but that ought to change this season. That’s certainly Hand’s hope.
