-This week’s Penn State game will played on September 10. The Bearcats beat
Penn State 14-3 on September 10, 1983. Don Goodman played a major role in that
upset. Don’s son, Dominick, plays on this year’s squad. Don will serve as UC’s
honorary captain on Saturday.
-The Nittany Lions lead the series having won 7 of the 8 games. The last time
the two schools played was in 1992 at Nippert Stadium. Penn State won 24-20.
-Dave Sims and Randy Wright will call the game for ESPN+. The game will air
locally on WXIX-TV 19.
-Since the Bearcats are now in the Big East Conference, Cincinnati is
eligible for the Lambert-Meadowlands trophy which is given annually to the best
team in the east. Penn State has 25 such trophies.
-True freshmen blue chippers, Justin King and Derrick Williams, are already
making an impact for the Nittany Lions. King ran a 61 yard reverse against S.
Florida last week and also saw playing time at cornerback while Williams was the
leading receiver with 3 catches for 38 yards.
-Cincinnati has a 8-36-2 record against teams presently in the Big 10.
-Coach Dantonio has coached against Penn State 9 times as an assistant at
Michigan State and Ohio State. His teams have a 4-5 record.
-Linebacker Dan Conner #40 is on the Bednarik Award watch list. But because
of off the field troubles is not expected to play in the UC game. Tailback Tony Hunt #26 is on the Maxwell Award watch list. Quarterback Michael Robinson #12 is
on the Johhny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Linebacker Paul Poslusny #31
is on the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski Award watch lists. Cornerback Alan Zemaitis #21 is on the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award watch lists.
-Joe Paterno trails only two active coaches in wins-Bobby Bowden at Florida State and John Gagliardi of St. John’s of Minnesota.
-One of Paterno’s assistants is Galen Hall, who also served as head coach at
Florida in 1984.
-Penn State redshirt freshman, Gerald Cadogan #76 , was a teammate of UC
freshman, Tyler Clifford, at Portsmouth High School.
-Penn State’s secondary has been rated #4 by Lindy’s Magazine and #6 by
Sporting News.
-Penn State was the only team in the country last year to not allow more than
21 points in a game. They return 9 starters from that defense.
-The Bearcats have a record of 33-29 and four bowl appearances in the last 5
years. Penn State has not done as well with a 26-33 record and only 1 bowl
appearance.
-Bearcat walk-on linebacker, Kevin McCullough, had 7 tackles including 3.5
tackles for loss against EMU last Thursday.
-Penn State will have a true freshman as their kicker for the first time
since 1990.
-99,235 fans attended Penn State’s opener last week.
-Donnie Johnson #6 of North College Hill is the only Cincinnati player on
Penn State’s roster. Four years ago, Johnson helped lead NCH to the playoffs as
their star tailback, but Johnson is a back-up cornerback for the Lions.
-Penn State returns 18 starters.
-Penn State allowed on 15.3 points per game last year.
-Wide receiver Mark Rubin and fullback Adam Senk are out for Saturday’s game
with injuries. Back-up tailback, Rodney Kinlaw, is doubtful.
-S. Florida had 297 total yards of offense last week.