3-1 Penn State Hosts 1-3 Army Saturday

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State will carry a three-game winning streak into its fourth consecutive game in Beaver Stadium, as the Nittany Lions will restore a historic series against Army West Point in a noon contest that will be televised on ESPNU. The game will be the final of four non-conference games on the schedule.

Penn State scored a season-high 37 points in its most recent outing, taking advantage of three San Diego State fumbles. The running game had led the Nittany Lions in their two previous victories, but it was Christian Hackenberg’s turn to shine, as he threw for three touchdowns and 296 yards, moving into second all-time in program history in career passing yardage. Hackenberg threw for two touchdowns in the final 1:03 of the first half against SDSU, turning a one-point deficit into a lead that would not be relinquished.

A great special teams play led to the first lost SDSU fumble, but it was Penn State’s defensive line that factored in on the next two. Garrett Sickels forced a fumble recovered byAnthony Zettel with less than a minute remaining in the first half, and then Carl Nassib forced a fumble that Austin Johnson scooped up and ran 71 yards to end zone.

With 7.0 sacks, Nassib leads the nation in the category, while Penn State leads the nation in team sacks with 18 in four games. Nassib is also one of four players with a nation-leading three forced fumbles.

Adding to the sack totals will be difficult for Nassib and the Nittany Lions against Army West Point’s run-heavy triple-option offensive attack, as the Black Knights are averaging just nine passing attempts per game compared to 50 rushing attempts per game. Army’s rushing attack ranks ninth in the nation after rolling for 556 yards in a 58-36 win over Eastern Michigan last week. Army’s record is 1-3, but all three of its losses were by five points or less.

It’s Military Appreciation Day in Beaver Stadium, Penn State University will be honored to have thousands of Servicemembers attending the game thanks to tickets donated by Penn State supporters. It will be the first meeting between Penn State and Army West Point since 1979.

Next, it will be all Big Ten play for Penn State, as it will close its five-game homestand by hosting Indiana for homecoming Saturday, Oct. 10.

ARMY WEST POINT HEAD COACH JEFF MONKEN
• Like Penn State, Army West Point is guided by a head coach in his second year at the helm of the program. Jeff Monken guided Army to a 4-8 record in his inaugural campaign last season.
• He was previously the head coach at Georgia Southern for four seasons, where he guided the Eagles to the NCAA FCS semifinals in three consecutive years (2010-12). In his fourth season, Georgia Southern was transitioning to FBS and was not eligible for postseason play.
• Georgia Southern won two Southern Conference championships and he was named the 2011 SoCon Coach of the Year.
• He was a 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Finalist.
• Monken previously served as an assistant at Georgia Southern (1997-2001), and was also an assistant at Georgia Tech (2008-09), Navy (2002-07), Concordia (Ill.) (1996) and Buffalo (1992-94). He was also a graduate assistant at Hawaii (1989-90) and Arizona State (1991).

COACHING CONNECTIONS
• Penn State assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brent Pry coached at Georgia Southern in 2010 with current Army West Point head coach Jeff Monken, offensive coordinator Brent Davis, cornerback coach Orlando Mitjans and quarterback coach Mitch Ware.
• Monken and Pry were also together at Buffalo in 1992. Pry was an undergrad coach after a career-ending injury and Monken was the team’s wide receivers and tight ends coach.
• Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop coached the defensive backs at Army in 1998. Current Army safeties coach John Loose was on Army staff with Shoop as the linebackers coach.

SCOUTING THE BLACK KNIGHTS
• Army West Point is 1-3 after dropping its first three games by margins of less than a touchdown. Army came up short against Fordham (L, 37-35) and Connecticut (L, 22-17) in the first two weeks, and Wake Forest kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 17-14 victory in week three.
• The Black Knights earned their first win of the season in their last outing, rushing for 556 yards in a 58-36 win over Eastern Michigan. The 556 rushing yards were the most in a game against a current FBS opponent in Academy history. Six different players rushed for 60 yards or more.
• Using a triple-option offensive scheme, Army averages 50 rushing attempts per game to nine passing attempts per game. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw is the team’s leading rusher with 341 yards on 68 attempts and four touchdowns. He has also completed 11-of-22 passing attempts for 194 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
• When Army West Point does pass, it has been able to get big gains, as the Black Knights are second in the nation only to fellow service academy Air Force, averaging 21.76 yards per completion.
• Linebacker Andrew King ranks fifth in the nation with 2.0 tackles for loss per game.
• Army is one of three FBS programs not affiliated with a conference. The other two are Notre Dame and BYU.
• The athletics program recently went through a rebranding process, which produced the new “Army West Point” nomenclature and new logos. Commonly referred to as just “Army” or just “West Point” throughout history, the differing names had produced confusion as to whether “Army” and “West Point” were referring to the same institution, which is officially named the “United States Military Academy at West Point.”

SOLD OUT! 
The Penn State-Army West Point Military Appreciation Day game is sold out, marking the first non-conference game to sellout since Alabama visited Happy Valley in 2011. The Nittany Lions host the Black Knights for the first time since 1979.

The sellout includes tickets requested through the Seats for Servicemembers program. Servicemembers from as far away as California, Texas and Washington have signed up to receive donated tickets purchased by Penn State alumni, fans and businesses. In its fourth year, the Seats for Servicemembers program honors the commitment and sacrifices of veterans, families and loved ones by providing tickets at no cost to active and retired Servicemembers, as well as a complimentary pregame tailgate at Bryce Jordan Center.

FIVE IN A ROW AT HOME
The Nittany Lions are playing the fourth of five consecutive home games, as they are in the midst of their first five-game homestand since 1922 and the third in program history. Wins over Buffalo (27-14, Sept. 12), Rutgers (28-3, Sept. 19) and San Diego State (37-21, Sept. 26) have opened the slate. Indiana (Oct. 10) will conclude the stretch.

Penn State last played five consecutive home games in 1922, going 5-0 with wins over St. Bonaventure (54-0), William & Mary (27-7), Gettysburg (20-0), Lebanon Valley (32-6) and Middlebury (33-0).

The Nittany Lions also hosted five-straight home contests in 1920. Penn State also was perfect in those games with wins over Muhlenberg (27-7), Gettysburg (13-0), Dartmouth (14-7), NC State (41-0) and Lebanon Valley (109-7). The 109 points scored against Lebanon Valley still stand as the program’s game scoring record.

While Beaver Stadium has never seen five consecutive home games, it has hosted four in a row five times, doing so in 1977, 1982, 1986, 2002 and 2009.

FAMILIAR FOE FOR FRANKLIN
• While Penn State and Army West Point are meeting for the first time since 1979, head coach James Franklin is facing Army for the second time as a head coach. Franklin guided Vanderbilt to a 44-21 victory over the Black Knights in 2011 – his first season as head coach.
• Army will be the third opponent Franklin has coached against at both Vanderbilt and Penn State. The other two are Northwestern and UMass.
• Frankin’s Commodores lost to Northwestern in 2012 and defeated UMass in 2012 and 2013.
• UMass and Northwestern visited Beaver Stadium in back-to-back weeks in 2014, and the results were similar as the Nittany Lions defeated UMass, but fell to Northwestern.
• Penn State will travel to Northwestern Nov. 7.

PENN STATE VS. NEW YORK TEAMS
Penn State owns a 78-39-9 record against teams from the Empire State. Army West Point is the second N.Y. team to face the Nittany Lions this season. Penn State opened its home slate with a 27-14 win over Buffalo.

NITTANY LIONS FROM NEW YORK
Just three Nittany Lions are from the State of New York, plus offensive line coach Herb Hand, who is a native of Westmoreland, N.Y. and played football at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.
• T Albert Hall – Warwick/Warwick Valley
• S Jordan Lucas – New Rochelle/New Rochelle
• T Charlie Shuman – Pittsford/Mendon-Sutherland

PENN STATE VS. SERVICE ACADEMIES
• Penn State holds a 35-27-4 record in 66 games against the three Division I service academies.
• Penn State has faced Navy the most, holding a 19-17-2 record over the Midshipmen. In addition to a 13-10-2 mark against Army West Point, the Nittany Lions hold a 3-0 mark over Air Force.
• Penn State’s history against the service academies dates back to 1894, when it first played Navy.
• Navy was the last service academy Penn State faced, as the Lions hosted the Midshipmen in 2012, winning 34-7.
• The 2012 meeting against Navy was the first against a service academy since 1979 against Army, as Penn State and Navy had not played each other since 1974. PSU last competed against Air Force in 1973.
• Penn State is 18-1 in its last 19 games against the academies, last losing to Navy in 1974, 7-6.
• At home, Penn State is 16-6 all-time against the academies.

PENN STATE-ARMY WEST POINT CONNECTIONS
• PSU freshmen guard/center Ryan Bates and linebacker Jake Cooper and Army defensive lineman Jeff Panara played together at Archbishop Wood High School.
• PSU guard Brian Gaia and Army defensive lineman Sheldon Johnson Jr. played together at Gilman School.
• PSU safety John Petrishen and Army defensive lineman Angelo Natter played together at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School.

NITTANY LION MILITARY CONNECTIONS 
DeAndre Thompkins’ father, Shawn, and DaeSean Hamilton’s parents, Johnie and Madgeline, have served in the Marine Corps. Shawn Thompkins has served for more than 15 years and is currently a Staffing and Recruiting Specialist. Hamilton’s parents both served more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. DaeSean was born on a military base in Okinawa, Japan. The Hamilton family also lived in Hawaii, Greece and Illinois before settling at its current residence in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

ZETTEL NAMED BIG TEN CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• DT Anthony Zettel made a career-high seven tackles against SDSU, surpassing his previous career-high of six tackles on three occasions (last vs. BC in 2014 Pinstripe Bowl).
• Zettel also made the second fumble recovery of his career.
• It is the first time he received the honor.
• He is the first PSU defender to win the honor since Trevor Williams did Sept. 15, 2014.
• Penn State and Michigan State are the only teams with honorees in three of the first four weeks.Saquon Barkley was named the co-freshman of the week each of the past two weeks.
• Zettel’s 0.5 sacks give him 16.5 for his career, moving him into 15th place at Penn State. He trails Justin Kurpeikis and Maurice Evans, who are tied for 13th place with 17.0 career sacks.
• With his 2.5 TFL, Zettel has 32 for his career, tied with Todd Atkins for 15th place at Penn State. He trails Anthony Adams (33 TFL) for 14th place.

TURNING TURNOVERS INTO POINTS
• Penn State converted three San Diego State fumbles into 21 points. The Nittany Lions entered the game having converted five turnovers into three points in the first three games.
• Austin Johnson’s fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was the Nittany Lions’ first fumble return for a touchdown since Mike Hull vs. Navy in 2012. • It was the first touchdown of Johnson’s career.
• It was also the first defensive score for Penn State since Grant Haley returned an interception for a touchdown in 2014 vs. Temple.

QUARTERBACKS BEWARE
Penn State leads the nation with 18 total sacks for an average of 4.5 per game, thanks in large part to senior defensive end Carl Nassib, who leads the team and nation with 7.0 sacks for an average of 1.75 per game. Junior defensive tackle Austin Johnson has 2.5 sacks on the year and sophomore defensive end Curtis Cothran recorded a pair of sacks, while eight other Nittany Lions have 1.0 or less sacks.

RIVALRY RENEWED
Penn State has many long and storied rivalries on the gridiron. The Nittany Lions have played 18 teams 20 or more times in the 129-year history of the program. • Penn State owns a winning record against 14 of the 18 team’s that they have met 20 or more times.
• Seven of those 18 teams are on the 2015 schedule; including Temple (43 meetings), Maryland (37), Ohio State (30), Michigan State (28), Army West Point (25), Rutgers (25) and Illinois (22).
• Six of those 18 teams are current members of the Big Ten: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State and Rutgers. Eight teams are among the opponents on the 2015 and 2016 schedules.
• Penn State has played since 2012 or has a future meeting scheduled meeting with 11 of the 18 teams (all of the FBS teams except Navy). Those opponents include: Army West Point (2015), Illinois (2014-15, ’18), Iowa (2016-18), Pitt (2016-19), Syracuse (2012), Temple (2014-16) and West Virginia (2023-24), while the Nittany Lions will meet yearly with Big Ten East Division opponents Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State and Rutgers.
• Thirteen of the 18 programs are currently members of NCAA Division I FBS. Bucknell, Lehigh and Penn are among NCAA Division I FCS, while Gettysburg and Lebanon Valley are Division III programs.

HOME SWEET HOME
• The Nittany Lions are 3-0 at home for the first time since starting 3-0 in 2010. The last time that Penn State started 4-0 at home was 2008.
• With a 268-71 all-time record in Beaver Stadium (1960), Penn State boasts the seventh-best winning percentage (.791) in its current home venue amongst current FBS schools, and leads the Big Ten. Ohio State ranks eighth overall with a 420-110-20 (.782) mark in Ohio Stadium, which was built in 1922. Only Alabama (.816) and Auburn (.795) boast higher winning percentages than Penn State in facilities older than Beaver Stadium. Baylor leads the country with a perfect 8-0 mark in the brand new McLane Stadium (2014).

STOPS BEHIND THE LINE
• In addition to leading the nation in sacks (18), Penn State ranks third in the nation and tops in the Big Ten with 10.0 tackles for loss per game.
• The Nittany Lions recorded 9.0 tackles for loss (minus-42 yards) vs. SDSU.
• Penn State leads the nation in both tackles for loss yardage (201) and sack yardage (115). Florida is second in the nation in tackles for loss yardage at 166 yards, as Penn State is the only team to push teams back for more than 200 yards. Only five teams have moved opponents back more than 100 yards on sacks, with Penn State leading with 148 sack yards. Florida is again second with 108 yards.
• Penn State’s 15 tackles for loss against Temple were the second-most in the country during the opening week, trailing only Colorado State, which racked up 16 against FCS-level Savannah State. Eleven different Nittany Lions were credited with at least an assist, led by Carl Nassib, Brandon Belland Anthony Zettel with 2.5 TFL each, while Trevor Williams had 2.0.
• Nassib was again a force in the backfield against Buffalo, racking up three of Penn State’s six sacks on the day. Austin Johnson added 1.5 sacks and totaled 2.5 TFL against the Bulls.

NASSIB BREAKING THROUGH
Senior defensive end Carl Nassib has rewarded the Nittany Lions for putting him in the starting lineup, as the former walk-on is enjoying a breakout season by breaking through opposing offensive lines.
• In addition to leading the country in sacks with 1.75 per game, he is in a four-way tie for first with three forced fumbles, and his 9.0 tackles for loss (2.3 pg) rank third nationally.
• Most recently, Nassib tallied two sacks against San Diego State, forcing a fumble on one that led to defensive tackle Austin Johnson’s 71-yard touchdown run after scooping up the ball.
• Nassib made a career-high 10 tackles in the season opener at Temple. His previous high was four stops on October 5, 2013 at Indiana. Nassib also recorded what was then his second career solo sack, good for a 12-yard loss in the second quarter, and his 2.5 tackles for loss were a career-best.
• Nassib made even bigger plays the following week against Buffalo, recording three sacks, including back-to-back sack-fumbles to stifle a UB comeback. He also hauled in an interception deep in UB territory after senior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel tipped a pass from the quarterback.
• He recorded his fifth sack of the season against Rutgers.
• Nassib entered 2015 with 2.0 career sacks has had two games with 2.0 or more sacks this year.
• Nassib has at least one sack in every game this year.

STINGY DEFENSE
• Penn State has held opponents to less than 325 yards for 11 consecutive regular season games, which is the longest streak in the nation.
• The Penn State defense has not allowed more than seven points in the first half of 10 consecutive games (does not include special teams scores).
• Penn State’s 141 passing yards allowed against SDSU were its fewest against an FBS non-conference opponent in the regular season since giving up 134 to Kent State in 2013.
• The unit is climbing in the national rankings in multiple categories, led by its prolific defensive line. It ranks 15th nationally in total defense at 281.8 yards per game.
• In 2014, Penn State ranked in the Top 10 in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (2nd, 190), pass efficiency (2nd, 101.14), total (2nd, 278.7 ypg), rushing (3rd, 100.5 ypg), third down (6th, 30.2) and scoring defense (7th, 18.6 ppg).

WINS LEADERS
In its 129th season of varsity football, Penn State has amassed 852 wins. The Nittany Lions are one of just eight programs nationally to win 850 games and one of 10 programs with 800 wins. The Nittany Lions currently hold an all-time mark of 852-377-42.

THREE AND OUT
Penn State’s defense continues to shine under Defensive Coordinator Bob Shoop. The Nittany Lions have forced 22 three-and-outs this season on 54 drives, equating to 40.7 percent of the time that Penn State has not allowed their opponents to gain a first down on a drive. Penn State matched a season-high of six three-and-outs against SDSU.
• at Temple — 6 three-and-outs in 14 drives.
• vs. Buffalo — 5 three-and-outs in 12 drives.
• vs. Rutgers — 5 three-and-outs in 13 drives.
• vs. SDSU – 6 three-and-outs in 15 drives.
• PSU forced three-and-outs on the opponent’s first offensive possession in the first three games this season.
• Penn State’s average of 5.50 three-and-outs ranks in a tie for 18th in the country.

WIDE RECEIVERS RUSHING AND RUNNING BACKS RECEIVING AND THROWING
• Penn State’s wide receivers and running backs are helping each other out this season, crossing over to the other’s specialty to put points on the scoreboard.
• Running backs Saquon Barkley and Mark Allen both notched their first receiving touchdowns in the SDSU game. The last time that Penn State had two touchdown receptions by running backs in the same game was in 2006 at Minnesota, a game that Penn State won 28-27 in overtime. Anthony Morelli had touchdown passes of 15 yards to Tony Hunt and seven yards to Matt Hahn.
• The last Penn State player to have a touchdown on his first career reception was Jesse James on Sept. 12, 2012 against Navy.
• Barkley’s touchdown reception was the first touchdown reception by a running back since Bill Beltonhad a 22-yard grab last year vs. Akron.
• Also against SDSU, RB Nick Scott completed a 32-yard pass to WR Chris Godwin. It was the first completion thrown by someone other than a quarterback by Penn State since Curtis Drake threw a 16-yard completion against Nebraska in 2011.
• It was the longest by a non-quarterback since RB Eric McCoo threw a 63-yard touchdown pass against Illinois in 2001.
• WR DeAndre Thompkins rushed for a touchdown against Rutgers and WR Brandon Polk did the same against Buffalo. Penn State now has two wide receivers with rushing touchdowns in the same season for the first time since 2008 when Derrick Williams and Chaz Powell both had rushing touchdowns.
• Polk ranks third on the team with 102 rushing yards on just seven carries.