2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team explained

Sport:football
Year:2002
Team:Penn State Nittany Lions
Conference:Big Ten Conference
Short Conf:Big Ten
Coachrank:15
Aprank:16
Record:9–4
Conf Record:5–3
Hc Year:37th
Off Coach:Fran Ganter
Oc Year:19th
Def Coach:Tom Bradley
Dc Year:3rd
Off Scheme:Pro-style
Def Scheme:4–3
Bowl:Capital One Bowl
Bowl Result:L 9–13 vs. Auburn

The 2002 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season.[1] The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Preseason

The Nittany Lions returned 16 starters from the previous season, who won five of its final seven games. Six starters returned on defense, led by defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, who returned for his fifth year despite speculations he would enter the NFL Draft.[2]

The offensive unit averted a possible quarterback controversy when last year's starter Matt Senneca announced that he would not be returning for his final year of eligibility.[3] Redshirt sophomore Zack Mills would lead the offense, with expectations high after showing flashes of brilliance coming off the bench in 2001. Larry Johnson would also become the featured back, after spending three seasons playing in a tailback-by-committee that had inconsistent production. Johnson will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line that returned all five starters.

Penn State was ranked number 24 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls.

Pre-season awards

Playboy pre-season All-American[4]

Second-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-American[5]

Second-team Lindy's pre-season All-American[5]

Lindy's pre-season Big Ten Most Valuable Player[5]

Game summaries

UCF

After a sloppy first half, Penn State scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and then withstood a late charge to hold off the Golden Knights for a 27–24 win. Zack Mills was 13 of 20 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. On defense, Anthony Adams recovered a fumbled snap to set up a field goal, and Derek Wake blocked a field goal attempt. Trailing 27–9 in the fourth quarter, UCF got within three points with 24 seconds remaining but failed to recover the onside kick, and Penn State ran out the clock.[6]

Nebraska

In front of a crowd of 110,753, a new Beaver Stadium attendance record that stood intact for 15 years, (110,823 VS Michigan 2017) Penn State routed the Cornhuskers 40–7, as Larry Johnson and backup quarterback Michael Robinson each had two touchdown runs. Cornerback Rich Gardner had his first career interception and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was Penn State's first victory over a top 10 team since 1999.[7]

Louisiana Tech

Penn State beat the Bulldogs 49–17, despite Tech's quarterback Luke McCown throwing for more than 400 yards but also threw three interceptions and had a fumble lost. Larry Johnson ran for 147 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns and also had a touchdown reception. Michael Robinson also had three rushing touchdowns.[8]

Iowa

See also: 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes football team.

After trailing the Hawkeyes by 22 points in the fourth quarter, Zack Mills threw for three touchdowns in the final 7:13 to tie the game 35–35 and force overtime, but the Nittany Lions were unable to score in overtime and lost 42–35. For the game, Mills completed 23 of 44 passes for a school record 399 yards and four touchdowns. The team finished with only 54 yards rushing, and Michael Robinson, who had five touchdowns in twelve carries in the past two games, was held to minus-2 yards on four carries.[9]

But the play that was most shown repeatedly on sports highlights shows throughout the rest of the season happened after the game. Following a couple questionable calls by the line judge in overtime, Joe Paterno sprinted down the field to catch up with referee Dick Honig as he approached the tunnel and grabbed Honig by the back of the shirt to voice his displeasure with the way the game ended. Paterno was angered that Penn State wide receiver Tony Johnson caught a pass with both feet in bounds according to the stadium's video replay board, but the play was ruled an incompletion.[10]

Wisconsin

Penn State scored on four of its first five possessions as the Lions beat the Badgers 34–31. Penn State scored on touchdowns from Zack Mills, Larry Johnson, and Sean McHugh and got four Robbie Gould field goals. Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy and defensive end Michael Haynes each had three sacks, as the Lions sacked Wisconsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger seven times. Wisconsin scored to close it to three points with 1:17 remaining, but Bryan Scott covered up the onside kick to seal the game.[11]

Michigan

The Wolverines beat Penn State 27–24 in overtime. A slow first half gave way to a shootout in the second half. The game was tied 7–7 at halftime, and the teams combined for only 240 yards. Penn State led 13–7 late in the third quarter and looked to seize control of the game after forcing a Michigan punt at their own 20, but a roughing the punter penalty kept the drive alive, and Michigan found the end zone eight plays later. Zack Mills finished the day 19 of 31 for 264 yards and two touchdowns.[12]

Joe Paterno expressed his displeasure with the officials for the second time this season as he yelled at referee David Witvoet after regulation. There were a number of odd and questionable actions by the officials during the game, as pointed out by the TV commentators, including the roughing the punter penalty and the referee refusing to ask for measurements when it appeared Michigan had been stopped short of first down. Each time he glanced at the sideline and signaled first down. It was most noticeable in the third quarter when he signaled first down even as Michigan was lining up in short-yardage formation, thinking it was third-and-1.

But Paterno and the coaching staff were most livid about a blown call with 40 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 21–21. Receiver Tony Johnson had just made a leaping catch of a Mills pass at the Michigan 22. The side judge ruled Johnson out of bounds despite replays showing he had both feet at least a yard inbounds. Numerous replays on TV showed the large divot in the field where Johnson's feet had landed. Instead of a field goal opportunity to win the game in regulation, the game was forced into overtime.

Northwestern

Larry Johnson set Penn State's single-game rushing record as the Nittany Lions shut out the Wildcats 49–0. Johnson rushed for 257 yards on 23 carries and scored twice before sitting out the final 28 minutes. In all, twelve Penn State players carried the ball for a total of 423 yards. The defense recorded its first shutout since the 1999 Alamo Bowl, holding the Wildcats to 9 yards rushing and 202 total yards.[13]

Ohio State

The Buckeyes defense held Zack Mills to only 98 yards passing and intercepted three passes, including one by Chris Gamble returned for a touchdown, to beat the Nittany Lions 13–7. Penn State was held to only 179 yards of offense and eight first downs, fewest under Joe Paterno.[14] Despite this, Penn State led 7–3 at halftime and very nearly won the game at the end.

Illinois

Larry Johnson set the school record for rushing yards in a game, beating his own record from two weeks prior, as the Nittany Lions beat the Fighting Illini 18–7. Johnson rushed for 279 yards on 31 carries, including an 84-yard touchdown run. The Penn State defense went 11-plus quarters without allowing a touchdown before Illinois scored with 5:22 remaining.[15]

Virginia

The defense held the Cavaliers to only 30 yards rushing as Penn State won 35–14. Zack Mills was 19 of 30 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions had 289 yards on the ground, including 118 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown by Larry Johnson. Backup quarterback and holder Chris Ganter also scored on a 30-yard run off of a fake field goal.[16]

Indiana

Larry Johnson broke two school records as Penn State beat the Hoosiers 58–25. For the third time in five weeks, Johnson set the school's single-game rushing record with 327 yards on 28 carries. Johnson also broke Penn State's single-season rushing record with a total of 1,736 yards with two games left to play.[17]

Michigan State

See also: Land Grant Trophy. Larry Johnson became the ninth player in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season[18] as Penn State blew out the Spartans 61–7. Johnson finished the day with 279 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half. Bryant Johnson also scored on an 81-yard punt return and a 41-yard touchdown reception. Penn State had 400 yards of offense at halftime and finished with 536 total yards, including 422 yards rushing.[19]

2003 Capital One Bowl – Auburn

See also: 2002 Auburn Tigers football team. The Auburn Tigers rushed for 200 yards, controlled the clock, and outscored the Lions 13–3 in the second half to upset the Nittany Lions 13–9 in the . Larry Johnson finished with only 72 yards on 20 carries. Zack Mills was also ineffective, going 8 of 24 for 67 yards and an interception. He was pulled for a couple drives in the third quarter, and backup quarterback Michael Robinson led to the Lions for a field goal to go up 9–7.[20]

Rankings

See also: 2002 NCAA Division I-A football rankings.

Awards

Watchlists

Ted Hendricks Award semifinalist[21] and finalist[22]

Fred Biletnikoff Award watchlist[23]

Doak Walker Award watchlist,[24] semifinalist[25] and finalist[26]

Maxwell Award finalist[27]

Walter Camp Player of the Year finalist[28]

Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist[29]

Rotary Lombardi Award watchlist[30] and semifinalist[31]

Outland Trophy watchlist[5]

Davey O'Brien Award watchlist[32] and semifinalist[33]

Jim Thorpe Award watchlist[34]

Players

Second-team All-Big Ten (conference media selection)[35]

First-team Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-District

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (September 14)[36]

Big Ten Specialist of the Week (October 5)[37]

Second-team Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-District

Second-team Associated Press All-American[38]

CNNSI.com All-American[39]

FWAA All-American[40]

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year[35]

First-team All-Big Ten[35]

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (September 21)[41]

CNNSI.com mid-season first-team All-American[22]

First-team Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-American[42]

First-team Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-District[43]

First-team All-Big Ten (conference coaches selection)[35]

2002 Doak Walker Award winner[44]

2002 Maxwell Award winner[44]

AFCA All-American[45]

First-team Associated Press All-American[38]

Chevrolet Offensive Player of the Year[46]

FWAA All-American[40]

CNNSI.com All-American[39]

Walter Camp Player of the Year[47]

First-team Walter Camp All-American[48]

First-team All-Big Ten[35]

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (October 19)[49]

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (November 2)[50]

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (November 16)[51]

ESPN.com Player of the Week (November 16)[25]

Sporting News Player of the Week (November 16)[25]

USA Today Player of the Week (November 16)[52]

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (November 23)[53]

Most Valuable Player, 2003 Senior Bowl[54]

Third-team Associated Press All-American[38]

First-team Walter Camp All-American[48]

Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year[35]

First-team All-Big Ten[35]

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (October 5)[37]

Second-team All-Big Ten[35]

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (October 26)[55]

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (September 28)[56]

First-team Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-District[43]

Post season

Penn State finished the season ranked #16 in the final AP college football poll and #15 in the final Coaches college football poll, earning Penn State its 25th Top 15 finish under Joe Paterno.[57]

Tailback Larry Johnson would finish the season as the first Nittany Lion to lead the nation in rushing and all-purpose yardage. Johnson become the ninth player in Division I-A history to gain 2,000 yards rushing in the regular season, finishing third in Heisman Trophy balloting.[58]

Penn State claimed second place in football attendance for the second consecutive season, averaging 107,239 through eight home games, ranking in the top four for the 12th consecutive year. The Nittany Lions also broke the NCAA record for total season attendance with 1,247,707 during the 13-game schedule, including a Beaver Stadium record of 110,753 for the Nebraska game.[59]

NFL draft

A school record six seniors would be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2003 NFL draft, including another school record four players in the first round.[60]

Round Pick Overall Name Position Team
1st 12 12 St. Louis Rams
1st 14 14 Chicago Bears
1st 17 17 Arizona Cardinals
1st 27 27 Kansas City Chiefs
2nd 23 55 Atlanta Falcons
2nd 25 57 San Francisco 49ers

All-star games

Game Date Site Players
February 1, 2003 Gus Felder, Joe Iorio, Shawn Mayer
January 18, 2003 Anthony Adams, Michael Haynes, Bryant Johnson, Larry Johnson, Bryan Scott

Instant replay

A few other conference coaches had lobbied for instant replay before, but they had fallen on deaf ears until Joe Paterno, who had been against instant replay citing the length of games as a factor, changed his opinion after a number of questionable officiating calls in the Iowa and Michigan games. Paterno and Penn State athletic director Tim Curley called for a comprehensive review of Big Ten officiating. At the news conference after the Michigan game, Paterno went further and said that the conference should change the way that officials are assigned, referring to the assignment of the officiating crew that worked the Michigan game, three of whom live in the state of Michigan.[61]

After the Big Ten concluded its comprehensive review of its officiating, the conference implemented a pilot program during the 2003 season to evaluate the use of instant replay. The pilot was used to gather data and did not interfere with games or overturn any missed calls.[62]

For the 2004 season, the Big Ten introduced college football's first instant replay system. A technical advisor in the press box with access to the television feeds will be able to stop a game for a replay review and potentially overturn a play, with no limit on the number of plays that can be reviewed.[63]

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Penn State Yearly Results (2000-2004). David DeLassus. College Football Data Warehouse. July 26, 2015. August 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150805073109/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/penn_state/2000-2004_yearly_results.php. dead.
  2. Web site: Kennedy To Return For Senior Season. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. January 10, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  3. Web site: Matt Senneca Not Returning for Senior Season. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. January 16, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  4. Web site: Kennedy Named To Playboy All-America Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. April 24, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  5. Web site: Kennedy Named to Lindy's & Athlon Pre-Season All-America Teams. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. June 18, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  6. Web site: Nittany Lion Football Starts Fresh with 27–24 Victory over UCF. August 31, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  7. Web site: Penn State Dominates Nebraska 40–7, Jump to #15 in ESPN Poll. September 15, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  8. Web site: Penn State Tames Bulldogs 49–17, Improves to 3–0. September 21, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  9. Web site: Penn State Falls Short in OT Against Iowa, 42–35. September 28, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  10. News: Football: Paterno Says No Apology Needed. Fittipaldo. Ray. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 2, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  11. Web site: Penn State Edges Wisconsin 34–31 to Notch 50th Big Ten Victory. October 5, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  12. Web site: Penn State falls to Michigan 27–24 in Overtime. October 12, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  13. Web site: Lions Celebrate 83rd Homecoming with 49–0 Shutout of Northwestern. October 19, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  14. Web site: Nittany Lions Fall 13–7 to Buckeyes in Defensive Dogfight. October 26, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  15. Web site: Defensive Power Surge in Happy Valley, Lions Win 18–7. November 2, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  16. Web site: Sweet Revenge! Lions Roll over Cavaliers 35—14. November 9, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  17. Web site: Larry Johnson and Lions Pound Hoosiers 58–25. November 16, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  18. Web site: Johnson runs past 2,000-yard mark with huge half. November 23, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  19. Web site: Oh, the Wonder of it! Penn State Pummels Spartans 61–7. November 23, 2002. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  20. Web site: Auburn Upsets Penn State in Capital One Bowl. January 1, 2003. October 28, 2008. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
  21. Web site: Haynes Named A Semifinalist For Inaugural Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. October 24, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  22. Web site: Haynes Among Four Finalists For Inaugural Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 12, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  23. Web site: Bryant Johnson Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. August 27, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  24. Web site: Tailback Larry Johnson Named A Doak Walker Award Candidate. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. August 21, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  25. Web site: Larry Johnson Selected A Semifinalist for Doak Walker Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 20, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  26. Web site: Larry Johnson Selected A Finalist for Doak Walker Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 2, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  27. Web site: Larry Johnson Selected A Finalist for Maxwell Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 3, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  28. Web site: Larry Johnson Named A Finalist for Walter Camp Player of the Year. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 4, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  29. Web site: Kennedy Named To Watch List For Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. April 11, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  30. Web site: Kennedy Named To Watch List For 33rd Annual Rotary Lombardi Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. April 3, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  31. Web site: Kennedy Named A Semifinalist For Rotary Lombardi Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. October 30, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  32. Web site: Quarterback Mills Named To Davey O'Brien Award Watch List. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. August 20, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  33. Web site: Quarterback Zack Mills Named A Semifinalist for Davey O'Brien Award. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 13, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  34. Web site: Nittany Lion Bryan Scott Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. August 29, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  35. Web site: Six Nittany Lions Named To All-Big Ten Football Squad; Haynes & Kennedy Earn Player of the Year Honors. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 26, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  36. Web site: Gardner Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. September 16, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  37. Web site: Penn State's Kennedy and Gould Named Big Ten Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. October 7, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  38. Web site: Johnson, Haynes & Kennedy Named To Associated Press All-America Teams. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 17, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  39. Web site: Michael Haynes & Larry Johnson Named To CNNSI.com All-America Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 9, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  40. Web site: Michael Haynes & Larry Johnson Named To Football Writers All-America Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 2, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  41. Web site: Haynes Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. September 23, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  42. Web site: Iorio Named To Verizon Academic All-America Football Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 2, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  43. Web site: 2002 Verizon Academic All-District Football Team. PDF. College Sports Information Directors of America. November 26, 2008.
  44. Web site: Larry Johnson Wins Maxwell And Doak Walker Awards. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 12, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  45. Web site: Larry Johnson Named To AFCA All-America Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 5, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  46. Web site: Larry Johnson Named Chevrolet Offensive Player of the Year. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 7, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  47. Web site: Nittany Lion Senior Tailback Larry Johnson Named Walter Camp Player of The Year. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 12, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  48. Web site: Larry Johnson and Jimmy Kennedy Named To Walter Camp All-America Team. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. December 12, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  49. Web site: Larry Johnson Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. October 22, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  50. Web site: Larry Johnson Named Big Ten Co-offensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 4, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  51. Web site: Larry Johnson Earns Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week For Third Time This Season. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 16, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  52. Web site: Larry Johnson named USA Today Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 19, 2002. October 28, 2008.
  53. Web site: Larry Johnson Earns Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week For Fourth Time This Season. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. November 25, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  54. Web site: Nittany Lions Shine in Senior Bowl; Johnson & Haynes Earn MVP Honors in North Win. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. January 20, 2003. January 27, 2007.
  55. Web site: Shawn Mayer Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. October 28, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  56. Web site: Zack Mills Named Big Ten Co-offensive Player of the Week. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. September 30, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  57. Web site: Nittany Lions Earn 25th Top 15 Final Ranking Under Paterno. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. January 4, 2003. January 23, 2007.
  58. Web site: Larry Johnson Is First Nittany Lion to Lead Nation in Rushing & All-Purpose Yardage; Haynes Among NCAA Defensive Leaders. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. January 16, 2003. January 23, 2007.
  59. Web site: Penn State Claims Second In NCAA Football Attendance; Breaks NCAA Record For Total Attendance with 1.2 Million Fans. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. February 10, 2003. January 23, 2007.
  60. Web site: Nittany Lions Lead All Schools With Six Selections in First Two Rounds of NFL Draft. Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. 2003-04-28. 2007-01-23.
  61. Web site: Paterno wants further review of Big Ten officiating practices. Lewerenz. Dan. San Diego Union-Tribune. October 15, 2002. January 23, 2007.
  62. News: Big Ten to Experiment with Program for Instant Replay. Fittipaldo. Ray. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 15, 2003. January 23, 2007.
  63. News: Instant Replay Comes to Big Ten for a One-Year Look. Fittipaldo. Ray. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 4, 2004. January 23, 2007.