2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season March 2012 February 2026 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State text logo.svg 250 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 25 24 9–4 5–3 Joe Paterno 41st Galen Hall 3rd Tom Bradley 7th Pro-style 4–3 Beaver Stadium Outback Bowl champion Outback Bowl W 20–10 vs. Tennessee The 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The season began with the Nittany Lions ranked #19 in the AP and Coaches preseason polls. The team dropped out of the rankings with losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State, but finished the season ranked #25 in the Coaches Poll and #24 in the AP Poll with a final record of 9–4. Preseason The team had key losses due to graduation, including Michael Robinson, Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis, Anwar Phillips, Calvin Lowry, and Ethan Kilmer. Paul Posluszny and offensive tackle Levi Brown decided to return to the team for the 2006 season, despite speculation both players would enter the NFL draft.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9322 All-Americans Brown & Posluszny Returning to Penn State For Senior Seasons Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics January 13, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20060507174448/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9322 May 7, 2006 dead Posluszny and star receiver Derrick Williams returned from injuries that caused them to miss time in 2005. Paul Posluszny and Levi Brown were elected co-captains of the football team for 2006. Posluszny becomes the team's first two-time captain since 1969.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10123 Brown & Posluszny Elected 2006 Nittany Lion Co-Captains Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics April 22, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20061207231924/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10123 December 7, 2006 Posluszny was also named the 2006 Big Ten and consensus national pre-season Defensive Player of the Year.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10548 Posluszny Among Candidates for Walter Camp Player of the Year Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics August 18, 2006 January 22, 2007September 2016 medicmedic Penn State was ranked No. 19 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls. Recruiting class yes no Chris Bell WR Norfolk, VA Granby HS 6 3 205 4.50 2005-10-17 5 4 81 Navorro Bowman LB Forestville, MD Suitland HS 6 1 218 4.70 2005-12-08 4 4 77 Brett Brackett QB Lawrenceville, NJ Lawrenceville, NJ 6 6 235 4.71 2005-05-12 3 3 75 Brent Carter RB Pottstown, PA Pottsgrove SHS 6 2 200 4.55 2006-01-29 3 4 40 Pat Devlin QB Downingtown, PA Downingtown East HS 6 4 200 4.70 2006-01-23 4 4 82 Lou Eliades OL Oakhurst, NJ Ocean Township HS 6 4 283 5.00 2005-12-27 4 4 78 Maurice Evans DE Middle Village, NY Christ The King Regional HS 6 3 252 4.70 2006-01-07 4 4 91 Bani Gbadyu LB Gaithersburg, MD Quince Orchard HS 6 1 210 4.60 2005-12-14 3 4 81 Cedric Jeffries S Egg Harbor Twp, NJ Egg Harbor Township HS 6 3 195 4.60 2005-12-20 3 3 74 Doug Klopacz OL Montvale, NJ St. Joseph Regional HS 6 3 260 4.75 2005-08-12 2 2 40 Abe Koroma DT Hershey, PA Milton Hershey School 6 2 270 4.90 2005-07-30 3 3 40 Eric Latimore DE Middletown, DE Middletown HS 6 6 240 4.90 2005-10-10 yes 3 3 76 Antonio Logan-El OL Forestville, MD Forestville HS 6 6 310 5.20 2006-01-24 5 4 78 Aaron Maybin DE Ellicott City, MD Mt. Hebron HS 6 3 220 4.67 2005-10-17 4 4 77 Travis McBride S McKeesport, PA McKeesport Area SHS 6 1 195 4.50 2005-12-12 3 3 76 Tom McEowen DT Langhorne, PA Neshaminy HS 6 4 280 5.10 2005-07-11 4 4 77 Jared Odrick DT Lebanon, PA Lebanon SHS 6 6 285 5.00 2005-12-19 4 4 76 Ollie Ogbu DT New Berlin, NY Milford Academy 6 2 300 4.96 2005-05-13 2 3 40 Andrew Quarless TE Uniondale, NY Uniondale HS 6 4 225 4.50 2006-01-13 4 4 77 Evan Royster RB Chantilly, VA Westfield HS 6 0 190 4.45 2006-01-19 3 3 72 Phillip Taylor DT Brandywine, MD Gwynn Park HS 6 4 340 5.50 2006-01-24 4 4 79 Johnnie Troutman DE Pemberton, NJ Pemberton Twp. HS 6 4 270 4.90 2006-01-21 yes 3 3 77 A.J. Wallace CB Pomfret, MD Maurice J McDonough HS 6 1 195 4.40 2006-01-07 4 5 82 yes 2006 Penn State Commit List for 2006 Scout.com Football Recruiting: Penn State RecruitTracker 2006: Penn State bwi 157 213 6 6 February 8, 2007 yes Schedule 2006 AP Eastern September 2 3:30 p.m. w y 19 Akron Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN2 34–16 106,505 September 9 3:30 p.m. l y y 19 Notre Dame 4 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry NBC 17–41 80,795 September 16 3:30 p.m. w y 25 Youngstown State 6 (FCS) Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPNU 37–3 104,953 Win proves little: Nittany Lions unimpressive in win over Penguins https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune/205932275/ September 13, 2026 The Scranton Times-Tribune Associated Press September 17, 2006 C1 Newspapers.com September 23 3:30 p.m. l y 24 Ohio State 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH rivalry, College GameDay ABC 6–28 105,266 September 30 3:30 p.m. w Northwestern Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC 33–7 108,837 October 7 12:00 p.m. w y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN Governor's Victory Bell ESPN Plus 28–27 OT 45,227 October 14 8:00 p.m. l Michigan 4 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry ABC 10–17 110,007 October 21 12:00 p.m. w y Illinois Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN2 26–12 108,112 October 28 12:00 p.m. w y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN ABC 12–0 58,025 November 4 12:00 p.m. l y Wisconsin 17 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ABC 3–13 81,777 Lionhearted: Motivated UW stuffs Penn State Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern November 5, 2006 E1, E3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-lionhearted-mot/175389149/ Newspapers.com November 11 3:30 p.m. w y Temple Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN Plus 47–0 105,950 November 18 12:00 p.m. w Michigan State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry ESPN2 17–13 108,607 January 1, 2007 Monday 11:00 a.m. w y y Tennessee 17 Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL Outback Bowl ESPN 20–10 65,601 Personnel Roster 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions y Derrick Williams 2 WR SO y Derrick Williams (American football) Deon Butler 3 WR SO y y Terrell Golden 4 WR JR y Brett Brackett 5 QB FR y Mike Hart 6 QB JR y Pat Devlin 7 QB FR y Pat Devlin (American football) Rodney Kinlaw 8 RB JR y y Andrew Quarless 10 TE FR y Kevin Suhey 13 QB FR y Anthony Morelli 14 QB JR y Paul Cianciolo 15 QB SO y Francis Claude 16 TE FR y Daryll Clark 17 QB FR y y Patrick Mauti 18 WR FR y Chris Bell 19 WR FR Evan Royster 22 RB FR y Jordan Norwood 24 WR SO y Brendan Perretta 25 WR JR y Tony Hunt Tony Hunt (running back) 26 RB SR y Graham Zug 28 WR FR y BranDon Snow 30 FB SR Brent Carter 32 RB FR Austin Scott 33 RB SR Matt Hahn 34 RB JR Jesse Alfreno 35 WR FR Dan Lawlor 38 FB SO y Nick Pinchek 39 RB JR y Charles Ramsey 42 RB FR y Patrick Hall 44 TE SR Austin Hinton 56 G SO y A.Q. Shipley 57 C SO y Greg Harrison 58 G SO y Patick Weber 60 C JR y Matt Lowry 61 T FR Ross Muir 62 C SO y Joe Toriello 63 G SO y Rich Ohrnberger 64 G SO y Robert Price 65 G SR y Levi Brown 67 T Sr y y C Levi Brown (offensive tackle) Doug Klopacz 68 OL FR Mike Lucian 69 OL SO y Wyatt Bowman 70 T SO y Mark Farris 71 T SR Dennis Landolt 73 G FR y y Johnnie Troutman 74 T FR y Lee Kuzemchak 75 T SR Antonio Logan-El 75 OL FR Gerald Cadogan 76 G SO y y Lou Eliades 77 OL FR John Shaw 78 T JR y Chris Auletta 79 T JR y Brennan Coakley 81 TE FR y Mickey Shuler 82 FB FR y y Mickey Shuler Jr. Kevin Cousins 83 WR FR y James McDonald 84 WR FR y Greg Miskinis 87 TE SO y Kevin Darling 88 TE SR Jordan Lyons 89 TE SO y Justin King 1 CB SO y Justin King (American football) Jerome Hayes 5 LB FR y Donnie Johnson 6 S SR Anthony Scirrotto 7 S SO y Jason Ganter 9 S JR y Lydell Sargeant 10 CB SO y Tony Davis 11 CB SO y y Tony Davis (cornerback) A.J. Wallace 12 CB FR y A. J. Wallace (American football) Jay Alford 13 DT Sr y Bani Gbadyu 15 LB FR Navorro Bowman 18 LB FR y Andy Kubic 19 LB SR Tim Shaw 20 LB Sr y y Tim Shaw (American football) Knowledge Timmons 21 CB FR y Darien Hardy 22 S SR Nolan McCready 23 S SR Devin Fentress 25 CB SO Ben Gummo 27 S FR y Travis McBride 27 DB FR Willie Harriott 28 CB FR y Cedric Jeffries 29 DB FR Paul Posluszny 31 LB Sr y C Spencer Ridenhour 37 S SO y Doug Rheam 39 DB FR y Dan Connor 40 LB JR y Dan Connor (American football) Nic Yocum 41 LB JR y Josh Hull 43 LB FR y y Josh Hull (American football) Sean Lee 45 LB SO y Tyrell Sales 46 LB SO y y Josh Gaines 47 DE SO y y Maurice Evans 48 DE FR y Maurice Evans (American football) Joe Cianciolo 51 LB SR y Dontey Brown 52 LB SO y Steve Roach 53 DT SR Jed Hill 54 DE SO y Tom McEowen 55 DT FR Chris Mauriello 57 LB JR y Aaron Maybin 59 DE FR y Abe Koroma 74 DT FR Mark Rubin 80 S SO y y Mark Rubin (American football) Ollie Ogbu 85 DT FR y Chris Rogers 87 DE SO Phillip Taylor 90 DL FR Jared Odrick 91 DE FR y Ed Johnson 92 DT SR Ed Johnson (American football) Chris Baker 93 DT FR y Tom Golarz 94 DE FR y Elijah Robinson 95 DT SO y Jim Shaw 99 DE SR Kevin Kelly 23 K SO y Kevin Kelly (placekicker) Jeremy Kapinos 36 P Sr y y Collin Wagner 42 K FR Jeremy Boone 44 P FR y y Brandon Ream 49 P SR Nick Daise 90 K JR y http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/psu-m-footbl-mtt.html August, 2006 Joe Paterno Coaching staff thumb|200px|right|The Nittany Lion Joe Paterno – Head Coach Dick Anderson – Offensive Line (Guards and Centers) Tom Bradley – Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks Galen Hall – Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Larry Johnson, Sr. – Defensive Line Bill Kenney – Offensive Tackles and Tight Ends Mike McQueary – Wide Receivers and Recruiting Coordinator Brian Norwood – Safeties Jay Paterno – Quarterbacks Ron Vanderlinden – Linebackers John Thomas – Strength and Conditioning Game summaries September 2: Akron thumb|200px|left|The Nittany Lions and Zips played in the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto in the season opener. Akron 0 3 6 7 16 Penn State 10 7 7 10 34 Penn State played the Akron Zips in its home opener. Akron was unranked, however the team finished as the 2005 MAC Champions. Anthony Morelli threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first pass attempt of his first start. Penn State won the game 34–16. Akron kept it respectably close for a while before Penn State pulled away with a commanding 34–9 lead, allowing a late Zips touchdown to once again make it look respectable. September 9: Notre Dame 2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Penn State 0 0 3 14 17 Notre Dame 3 17 14 7 41 Penn State played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana. After a close first quarter, Notre Dame pulled away from the young Penn State squad to win 41–17. September 16: Youngstown State Youngstown State 0 0 3 0 3 Penn State 0 20 10 7 37 Penn State defeated the Youngstown State Penguins by a score of 37–3 on September 16, 2006 at Beaver Stadium. The Youngstown State Penguins were the 150th different team to face Penn State since 1887, the first year for Penn State football. September 23: Ohio State 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Penn State 0 3 0 3 6 Ohio State 0 0 7 21 28 Penn State lost to the number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio on September 23, 2006, by the score of 28–6 in a game closer than the final score would indicate. Despite the score, Penn State led in many statistical areas, such as first downs, controlling the clock, and total yards, but only had six points to show for their dominating effort. After a scoreless first half, in which the Nittany Lions messed up a chance to score an early touchdown because fullback Matt Hahn broke loose, but was tackled near the goal line and fumbled before the ball crossed the plane. However, Penn State scored a field goal right before halftime after putting together their second long drive of the first half. Penn State led 3–0 at halftime, and controlled the tempo in much of the second half, despite the Buckeyes going up 7–3 following a missed Penn State field goal. Early in the fourth quarter, Troy Smith threw the football away, down the field to avoid a sack in a tipped, nearly intercepted, up for grabs pass that happened to be caught for a touchdown by Brian Robiskie. The Nittany Lions, still playing like they were in control of the game, responded with a strong drive that was called back at the 1 yard line for a false start. The Nittany Lions had to settle for a field goal, which helped shift the momentum to the Buckeyes, but Penn State would gain a full head of steam late in the game. The score was 14–6 in favor of the Buckeyes and Penn State was driving downfield with less than three minutes left. As Penn State led another potentially scoring drive far down the field, hoping to tie the game up at 14–14, it was intercepted and returned for a touchdown with roughly 2 minutes left on the clock. However, Malcolm Jenkins spiked the ball at the one yard line, which rolled into the endzone untouched. This was only noticed after the game. Antonio Smith returned another interception to clinch the victory with 1:07 remaining on the clock, this time from midfield. As ESPN had said, this allowed the Buckeyes to make the victory look easy when, in fact, it was a hard-fought victory, some Penn State fans feel that the Nittany Lions were the better team and should have won that contest, failing to realize that the mistakes that they made, even if it was "handing the game over on a silver platter", are as much a part of football as any other element, which is why a defense that can force turnovers is so highly regarded. September 30: Northwestern 2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team Northwestern 0 7 0 0 7 Penn State 6 10 17 0 33 Penn State defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 33–7 on September 30, 2006 at Beaver Stadium. Deon Butler set a Penn State record with 216 receiving yards, breaking O.J. McDuffie's record of 202 yards set against Boston College in 1992. Tony Hunt ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Morelli completed 19-of-33 passes for 288 yards. October 7: Minnesota 2006 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Governor's Victory Bell Penn State 7 7 0 7 7 28 Minnesota 7 0 0 14 6 27 Penn State defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 28–27 in overtime. Tony Hunt rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns (2 rushing), the last in overtime for the game-winning touchdown. Anthony Morelli threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a dislocated ring finger on his left (non-throwing) hand. The game, tied at overtime, was decided by two factors, a missed extra point kick, and a pass interference penalty on Penn State's drive to give them a fresh set of downs. Both proved critical, as Penn State soon converted the touchdown and kicked the extra point to escape with the win. October 14: Michigan 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan 0 10 7 0 17 Penn State 0 3 0 7 10 Michigan's defensive front seven was the story of the game, collecting seven sacks and holding the Nittany Lions to −14 net rushing yards. On a third-quarter pass play, Alan Branch knocked Penn State's quarterback Anthony Morelli out of the game with a concussion; Penn State's backup quarterback Daryl Clark was later injured on a rushing attempt. Third-string quarterback Paul Cianciolo managed to throw the Nittany Lions' only touchdown pass of the game. The game was a homecoming for Pennsylvania native Henne, who played the only game of his career at Penn State. With Manningham not playing due to a knee injury suffered against Michigan State, Arrington and Breaston caught the bulk of Henne's passes, each collecting five receptions. Hart picked up his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and scored the winning touchdown October 21: Illinois 2006 Illinois Fighting Illini football team Illinois 3 6 0 3 12 Penn State 3 0 14 9 26 Carried mostly by the play of its defense, Penn State defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 26–12 during homecoming weekend. Strong safety Anthony Scirrotto had two interceptions and returned an attempted onside kick for a touchdown.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102106aac.html Nittany Lions Take Fight out of Illini and Win 26–12 October 21, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics Punter Jeremy Kapinos was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, averaging 45.6 yards per punt, with a long of 57 yards. He pinned Illinois inside its own 20 yard line four times. He also surpassed Ralph Giacomarro to become first all-time in career punting yardage (9,578). Linebacker Paul Posluszny was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, notching a season-high 13 tackles and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102306aab.html Posluszny & Kapinos Earn Big Ten Player of the Week Accolades October 23, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate AthleticsAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot October 28: Purdue 2006 Purdue Boilermakers football team Penn State 3 3 0 6 12 Purdue 0 0 0 0 0 Penn State's low-scoring win on the road against the Boilermakers saw running back Tony Hunt rush 31 times for 142 yards and a touchdown (along with 2 receptions for 36 yards) as the Nittany Lions posted a shutout against Purdue, their first ever under head coach Joe Tiller. The low score was primarily a result of the high winds and cold weather. It was Penn State's first shutout since a 49–0 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in October 2002.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102806aaa.html Nittany Lions Blank Boilermakers, 12–0 October 28, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate AthleticsAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot Recording a game-high 12 tackles and an interception, linebacker Dan Connor was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103006aac.html Connor Earns Second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Honor October 30, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate AthleticsAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot November 4: Wisconsin 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team Penn State 0 3 0 0 3 Wisconsin 3 7 3 0 13 Penn State suffered a 13–3 loss on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff put the Badgers on the scoreboard first with a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly tied the score with a 39-yard field goal, but Badgers quarterback John Stocco countered with 14-yard touchdown pass to Paul Hubbard. Wisconsin added a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter. With the long-held ten point lead, the Badgers were the only Big Ten team that Penn State lost to that they had not played completely down to the wire. In both games, they had late chances to win the game, but in this game, again a stubborn defensive struggle, Penn State was unable to kick a second field goal that would have at least made it interesting late. Recording 14 tackles, linebacker Paul Posluszny broke Greg Buttle's record for career tackles. Posluszny finished the game with 349 career tackles in a game where Penn State's defense did their part to hold Wisconsin to few yardage and points.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110406aab.html Nittany Lions Fall to No. 17 Wisconsin, 13–3 November 4, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics January 19, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080119222122/http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110406aab.html dead Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was injured during a sideline collision in the third quarter. Although reluctant to leave the sideline, he was taken to the locker room for evaluation and flown back to Penn State ahead of the team. There it was revealed that Paterno had a pair of fractures to his tibia along with tears of his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110506aaa.html Joe Paterno Suffers Injuries to Left Leg November 5, 2006 July 18, 2008 Penn State Intercollegiate AthleticsAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot November 11: Temple Temple 0 0 0 0 0 Penn State 21 10 10 6 47 Running back Tony Hunt had a career day, scoring 4 touchdowns and rushing for 167 yards in two and a half quarters of play, as Penn State shut out the Temple Owls 47–0 with coach Joe Paterno absent from the sidelines for the first time since 1977. Derrick Williams scored on a 75-yard punt return, while placekicker Kevin Kelly added field goals of 19 and 33 yards. Reserve quarterback Daryll Clark scored on a 4th quarter run. Following the game, Penn State captains Levi Brown and Paul Posluszny visited Paterno at his home to present him with the game ball. The game was the first in Happy Valley for former Nittany Lion tight end Al Golden as Temple head coach. November 18: Michigan State Land Grant Trophy 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team Michigan State 10 3 0 0 13 Penn State 0 7 7 3 17 23 seniors helped close out their regular season careers as Nittany Lions by winning the Land Grant Trophy with a 17–13 win over the Michigan State Spartans. Coach Joe Paterno, still nursing a broken shinbone, coached from the pressbox. Running back Tony Hunt overcame 2 first quarter fumbles to tally his seventh 100-yard game this season, rushing for 129 yards on 29 attempts. Quarterback Anthony Morelli, who also had 2 fumbles, finished 17-of-37 for 220 yards. January 1: 2007 Outback Bowl – Tennessee 2007 Outback Bowl 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team Tennessee 3 7 0 0 10 Penn State 0 10 0 10 20 The 2007 Outback Bowl featured Penn State against the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. Penn State last participated in the game in 1999, when they won over the Kentucky Wildcats by the score of 26–14. Tennessee last played in Tampa in the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl, defeating the Boston College Eagles 38–23. Before this game, Penn State's last game versus Tennessee was the 1994 Florida Citrus Bowl where they crushed the heavily favored Volunteers in an easy 31–13 victory. Penn State defeated the favored Tennessee 20–10 for Joe Paterno's record 22nd bowl win. Tony Hunt led the PSU offense running for 158 yards on 31 carries. Tony Davis returned a fumble 88 yards for the game-winning touchdown. First Team All-Big Ten Conference strong safety Anthony Scirrotto also recorded his sixth interception of the season. The key play of the game was a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth, Penn State ran down the clock, but despite stalling in the red zone, kicked a field goal that put the game out of reach. Rankings 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings 15 19 19 25 24 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 24 19 19 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 25 4 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 7 NR NR NR NR NR 25 NR NR Awards Watchlists Levi Brown Lombardi Award watchlisthttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9752 Brown & Posluszny Named to Watch List For 37th Rotary Lombardi Award Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics March 7, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20061016141610/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=9752 October 16, 2006 Outland Trophy watchlisthttp://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062906aac.html Big Ten Places 30 football Student-Athletes on Several National Award Watch Lists Big Ten Conference June 29, 2006 January 12, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090206225428/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062906aac.html February 6, 2009 dead mdy-all Dan Connor Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist Dick Butkus Award watchlisthttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10583 2005 Butkus Award Winner Posluszny & Connor Among Candidates for '06 Top Linebacker Honor Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics August 24, 2006 January 22, 2007September 2016 medicmedic Tony Hunt Doak Walker Award watchlisthttp://smu.edu/athleticforum/DWA-Candidates.html 2006 Doak Walker Award Candidates Doak Walker Award. Southern Methodist University Athletics January 25, 2007 October 2010 H3llBot Jeremy Kapinos Ray Guy Award watchlisthttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10969 Kapinos Among Ray Guy Award Candidates Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics October 18, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20061104220402/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=10969 November 4, 2006 Paul Posluszny Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist Lindy's Football Heisman Trophy watchlist Lombardi Award watchlist Dick Butkus Award watchlist Draddy Trophy semifinalisthttp://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=994 https://archive.today/20061028164828/http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=994 dead October 28, 2006 NFF Announces 2006 Draddy Trophy Semifinalists National Football Foundation October 17, 2006 October 2, 2008 and finalisthttp://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1048 https://archive.today/20070111101918/http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1048 dead January 11, 2007 Brian Leonard Claims the Draddy Trophy National Football Foundation December 7, 2006 October 2, 2008 Lott Trophy watchlisthttp://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=37423&SPID=3011&DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=264744 Simpson Named to Lott Trophy Watch List University of Alabama Athletics April 5, 2006 January 25, 2007 October 2010 H3llBot Walter Camp Player of the Year watchlist Tim Shaw Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist Derrick Williams Maxwell Award watchlist Players Jay Alford Third-team Associated Press All-Americanhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2695097 2006 AP All-America Team ESPN December 12, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070108105643/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2695097 January 8, 2007 live Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112106aaa.html Big Ten Announces 2006 football All-Conference Teams And Individual Honors Big Ten Conference November 21, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070119062530/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112106aaa.html January 19, 2007 dead mdy-all Levi Brown Second-team Walter Camp All-Americanhttp://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120806aaa.html Big Ten Earns Eight National Awards Big Ten Conference December 8, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070120172346/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120806aaa.html January 20, 2007 dead mdy-all Second-team Sporting News All-Americanhttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11455 Trio of Nittany Lions Earn All-America Honors From The Sporting News Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics December 14, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070118084745/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11455 January 18, 2007 Third-team Associated Press All-American Second-team All-Big Ten Gerald Cadogan ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-Districthttp://www.cosida.com/formpdfs/2006fbacad.pdf 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Football Team College Sports Information Directors of America November 26, 2008 Dan Connor First-team Sporting News All-American Second-team Associated Press All-American Second-team All-Big Ten Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 2)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090406aaa.html Five Players Share Weekly Conference Honors After Undefeated Opening Week for Big Ten Big Ten Conference September 4, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070708070021/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090406aaa.html July 8, 2007 dead mdy-all Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 28)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103006aaa.html Indiana's Lewis, Penn State's Connor and Wisconsin's Mehlhaff Named Football Players of the Week Big Ten Conference October 30, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105232556/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103006aaa.html January 5, 2009 dead mdy-all Maurice Evans Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Teamhttp://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=158253 Sporting News 2006 Big Ten All-Freshman Team Sporting News December 12, 2006 January 22, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071001125322/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=158253 October 1, 2007 mdy Tony Hunt Second-team All-Big Ten Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 11)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111306aac.html Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State Earn Weekly Football Accolades Big Ten Conference November 13, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080906114140/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111306aac.html September 6, 2008 dead mdy-all Most Valuable Player, 2007 Outback Bowlhttp://www.outbackbowl.com/pressbox/release.html?release=140 Penn State Post-Game Notes Outbackbowl.com Outback Bowl January 1, 2007 March 28, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070927084434/http://www.outbackbowl.com/pressbox/release.html?release=140 September 27, 2007 mdy Most Valuable Player, 2007 Senior Bowlhttp://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9958159 Smith leads North to victory in rainy Senior Bowl NFL Associated Press January 27, 2007 January 27, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070203000240/http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9958159 February 3, 2007 Jeremy Kapinos Third-team Associated Press All-American Second-team All-Big Ten Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Sep. 23)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092506aaa.html Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin Earn Weekly Football Honors Big Ten Conference September 25, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20081121045420/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092506aaa.html November 21, 2008 dead mdy-all Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 21)http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102306aab.html MSU, OSU and PSU Earn Weekly Big Ten Football Honors Big Ten Conference October 23, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105232556/http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102306aab.html January 5, 2009 dead mdy-all Justin King Second-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection) Nolan McCready ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District Second-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-Americanhttp://www.cosida.com/formpdfs/2006AAAfootball.pdf 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team College Sports Information Directors of America November 26, 2008 Paul Posluszny 2006 Bednarik Award winnerhttps://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=2690462 Posluszny repeats as Bednarik Trophy winner ESPN December 7, 2006 January 22, 2007 ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year First-team Associated Press All-American First-team Walter Camp All-American First-team All-Big Ten Second-team Sporting News All-American Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21) National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete fellowshiphttp://live.psu.edu/story/20431 Posluszny earns Scholar-Athlete Fellowship Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics October 26, 2006 January 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20061027153307/http://live.psu.edu/story/20431 October 27, 2006 dead mdy-all NCAA Defensive Player of the Yearhttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11568 Posluszny Selected NCAA Defensive Player of the Year by Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics January 12, 2007 January 22, 2007September 2016 medicmedic Andrew Quarless Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team Anthony Scirrotto First-team All-Big Ten (conference media selection) ESPN.com All-Bowl Teamhttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11593 Scirrotto Selected to ESPN.com All-Bowl Team Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics January 15, 2007 January 22, 2007September 2016 medicmedic Tim Shaw ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District First-team ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American Postseason Penn State finished the season ranked number 24 in the final AP college football poll and number 25 in the final USA Today college football poll, earning Penn State its 32nd Top 25 finish under Joe Paterno.http://www.gopsusports.com/BasketballW/pressrelease/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11545 Nittany Lions Earn 32nd Top 25 Ranking Under Joe Paterno January 9, 2007 January 12, 2007 Penn State Intercollegiate AthleticsSeptember 2016 medicmedic The team's success helped Penn State finish second in football attendance for the fourth time this decade and in the top four for the 16th consecutive year, averaging 107,567 for seven home games, including a crowd of 110,007 on October 14 to watch Penn State host Michigan in primetime, the second-largest in Beaver Stadium history. Penn State finished the season with a sellout crowd of 65,601 at the Outback Bowl.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11832 Nittany Lion Fans Keep Beaver Stadium Among Nation's Top Drawing Venues Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics February 12, 2007 February 13, 2007September 2016 medicmedic Five players participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, held February 22–27 in Indianapolis, IN: Jay Alford, Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny, and Tim Shaw.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11898 Five Nittany Lions Participating In NFL Scouting Combine Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics February 19, 2007 February 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070225090339/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=11898 February 25, 2007 NFL draft Five Penn State players were selected in the 2007 NFL draft.http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12472 Arizona Selects Brown No. 5 Overall in NFL Draft; Posluszny, Alford & Hunt Also Drafted on First Day Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics April 28, 2007 April 28, 2007 September 2016 medicmedichttp://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12481 Carolina Selects Linebacker Tim Shaw; Five Nittany Lions Chosen in 2007 NFL Draft Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics April 29, 2007 April 30, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070504035206/http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12481 May 4, 2007 Round Pick Overall Name Position Team 1st 5 5 Levi Brown Offensive tackle Arizona Cardinals 2nd 2 34 Paul Posluszny Linebacker Buffalo Bills 3rd 18 81 Jay Alford Defensive tackle New York Giants 3rd 27 90 Tony Hunt Running back Philadelphia Eagles 5th 27 164 Tim Shaw Linebacker Carolina Panthers All-star games Game Date Site Players 61st Hula Bowl January 14, 2007 Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Jay Alford, Ed Johnson, Tim Shaw 58th Senior Bowl January 27, 2007 Ladd–Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama Levi Brown, Tony Hunt, Paul Posluszny References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Category:ReliaQuest Bowl champion seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football