PSU game notes

Today marked the first time Joe Paterno missed a Penn State game since the 1977 contest at Syracuse, when one of Joe and Sue Paterno?s sons, David, was involved in a serious trampoline accident the day before the game. The only other game he had missed prior to today was the 1955 contest at Army, due to the death of his father, Angelo. Paterno has coached in 638 of Penn State?s 641 games since 1950.

Today marked the first time that Coach Joe Paterno was not on the sidelines for a Penn State home game since October 29, 1949 against Syracuse, a span of 319 home games. Penn State won that game, 33-21.

Penn State has won 20 of its last 25 games.

Penn State?s defense held Temple to just two first downs and only 74 yards of total offense, both the lowest numbers allowed by a Penn State defense under Coach Paterno. The previous low for total yardage allowed was 97 yards against Army in 1972, and the previous low for first downs was 3 by Pittsburgh in 1970.

Penn State recorded its second shutout of the season, the first time that PSU has notched two shutouts in a single season since 1996 (49-0 vs. Northern Illinois and 41-0 against Temple in consecutive weeks). The 47-0 victory is the largest margin of victory in a shutout since a 49-0 Penn State win over Northwestern in 2002.

The Temple offense did not cross the 50-yard line. The Owls reached their own 49-yard line in the third quarter, but did not covert a fourth down pass.

Penn State?s defense has allowed only 1 touchdown in the last 17 quarters (Wisconsin, second quarter).

I considered the game an early birthday present . . . nice to watch a game and still have fingernails left at the end of it. The Lions face Michigan State at home next week for the last game of the regular season. An 8-4 record is taking shape and the Outback Bowl is well within reach. I don't think the Temple victory was ever in doubt - they are, without contention, the worst team in D1 football right now. I predict we'll prevail over the Spartans.