Sept. 28, 2008
Recap |
Final Stats |
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-Tonight's crowd of 109,626 is the eighth-largest in the history of Beaver Stadium, and the largest since 110,134 saw the Lions play against Ohio State last season. Eight of Penn State's 10 largest home crowds have occurred since the start of the 2005 season. - Playing its first Big Ten opener at home since 2003, the Nittany Lions improved to 7-9 in conference openers. -Penn State improves to 13-3 against Illinois, including 10-2 against the Fighting Illini since joining the Big Ten in 1993 . -The Nittany Lions have now won 36 of their past 45 games (80%), with their victory total good for sixth-best nationally over that span. Since the start of the 2005 season, Penn State is 34-9 (79.1%). -Penn State has won 24 of its 26 games in Beaver Stadium during the 45-game span. -The Nittany Lions' 38 points tonight represent the most points that the Lions have scored in a Big Ten contest since notching 38 against Wisconsin last season. -Penn State was 4-4 in the red zone this evening, (3 touchdowns, 1 field goal) improving to 27-29 in the red zone this season (93.1%) and 23-29 for touchdowns (79.3%). -Evan Royster had his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and the fourth of his career. Royster finished with 139 yards rushing, the second-highest total of his career, on 19 carries (7.3). -Derrick Williams is the first player since Joe Paterno became head coach to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown in the same game. For the evening, Williams had a career-high 241 all-purpose yards (33 rushing, 75 receiving and 133 on kick returns). His previous high for all-purpose yards was 151 vs. Purdue in 2007. - Derrick Williams' 241 all-purpose yards are the most by a Nittany Lion since Larry Johnson gained 289 yards (279 rushing, 10 receiving) vs. Michigan State in 2002. -Derrick Williams notched his second kick return for a touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter. His kickoff return TD this was against Coastal Carolina. This ties the school record for kick return touchdowns in a season. Previously, Chuck Peters had two in 1940 and Curt Warner had two in 1980. The 94-yard kickoff return was the longest by a Nittany Lion since A.J. Wallace returned one 97 yards against Ohio State last season. -Derrick Williams' six receptions tonight give him 131 for his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the Penn State career reception chart. Williams' 75 receiving yards tonight give him 1,446 for his career which puts him 12th place at Penn State, trailing Freddie Scott who had 1,520 yards receiving from 1993-95. - Anthony Scirrotto's second quarter interception gives him 11 for his career, and ties him with Don Eyer and Dennis Onkotz for ninth at Penn State. Scirrotto also had his second career fumble recovery this evening. -The following players had career-highs in tackles this evening:
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