The fifth member of the 44 for 44 is Larry Johnson.

It’s getting somewhat tiring to mention that so many of Penn State’s greats enjoyed tremendous success even before stepping foot on campus, but Larry Johnson was yet another of those high-profile recruits.  Growing up in the shadow of Beaver Stadium, Larry followed his father–who was then the special teams and defensive ends coach–across town: after graduating as a State College Little Lion, the younger Johnson matriculated as a Penn State Nittany Lion.  After an incredible senior season, in which Johnson ran for over 2200 yards with 29 touchdowns, and picked up 7 sacks as a defensive end, Larry Johnson was more than just a legacy recruit, he was a major coup.

Despite the hype, Johnson struggled to distinguish himself from amongst a crowded Penn State backfield.  As a freshman on that vaunted 1999 team, Johnson was an afterthought to the power-running tandem of Eric McCoo and Aaron Harris, managing just 43 carries the entire season, gaining 171 yards and a single touchdown.  Johnson was almost a greater threat as a receiver, where he made 4 catches for 70 yards and scored another touchdown.

Little did Johnson know at that point that Penn State was poised to enter its bleakest period in Joe Paterno’s tenure.  Heading into the 2000 season, spirits were already low, following the implosion which ended the preceding year.  And low spirits were only dampened when Penn State got off to the start they did–a 29-5 loss to USC at the Meadowlands was bad enough, but the Lions rebounded from that effort with a 24-6 drubbing at the hands of Toledo.  Though the Nits were able to handle Louisiana Tech, 67-7, they were outscored a whopping 67-6 the next two weeks, in a 12-0 shutout loss in Pittsburgh and a beatdown in Columbus.  And even worse–during that Ohio State game, promising freshman Adam Taliaferro broke his neck in that Ohio State game. We thought he’d never walk again.

Though Penn State was able to reverse the trend and beat a highly-ranked Purdue team, 22-20, that was one of the only bright spots in a 5-7 campaign.  On a personal level, Larry Johnson found himself bumped up in the depth chart following Aaron Harris’ graduation, receiving the second-most playing time behind McCoo, and as the team’s featured kick returner.  On 75 carries, Johnson rushed for a respectable 358 yards, adding 3 touchdowns.  In the season finale, against Michigan State, Johnson had a career best 10 carries for 94 yards, perhaps a good omen of his future dominance over the Spartans.  Still, that was a far cry from the dominant performances he was accustomed to putting up each week during his high school career.

2001 was yet another miserable season for the Nittany Lions, though it, too, featured one moment of glory, when Zack Mills, the backup, led a 1-4 team to a come-from-behind upset of Ohio State, a win that thrust Joe Paterno past Bear Bryant for the most wins in Division 1 history.  But again, that day was lost in the crippling mediocrity which Penn State seemed mired in.

But for Larry Johnson, it was his first real taste at collegiate glory.  Starting the last 5 games of the season, Johnson passed McCoo to become Penn State’s leading rusher, though, in a sign of the times, that merely meant 337 yards and 2 touchdowns, one less than the three he managed on receptions and kick returns.

After two absolutely miserable seasons, not much was expected from the 2002 Penn State Nittany Lions.  It was in this preseason that some started openly campaigning against Joe Paterno–he had passed Bear Bryant to become college football’s winningest coach, what else could he want?  The then-75 Paterno was just “too old.” He had “lost touch” with the game.  And what could have possibly been expected of Larry Johnson, the once-highly touted recruit who had done little of note in his three years at Penn State?

But it was Larry Johnson who singlehandedly did his part to pull Penn State out of the dark years, and for one season he did just that.  On his way to, arguably, the greatest season any running back ever had, Johnson led Penn State to a 9-win year that was so close to being so much more.  Two overtime losses, against top-10 teams in Iowa and Michigan, were the only blemishes on Penn State’s schedule before a respectable 13-7 defeat in Columbus against the team that would go on to win the BCS Championship the following January.

But Johnson’s path to Heisman contention started much earlier.  In Penn State’s 40-7 trashing of Nebraska, Johnson introduced himself to the nation with a 123-yard, 2-touchdown performance, a feat magnified by the fact that he accomplished that on a mere 19 carries.  Johnson continued to put up workmanlike numbers over the next few weeks–a hundred-yard game here, a couple touchdowns there, before he really broke out as Penn State beat up on a hapless Northwestern team.  In a 49-0 drubbing of the Wildcats, Johnson set a new school record with 257 yards, scoring two touchdowns–and he only needed 23 carries to accomplish the feat.

The record would stand for all of two weeks, until Illinois came to town.  On a season-high 31 carries, Johnson put up 279 yards, as Penn State pushed back the Illini, 18-7.  And that record wouldn’t last for long, either.  As Penn State traveled to Indiana, Johnson, for the third time, set a new school record for rushing yardage, with a whopping 327 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 28 carries.  That said, his performance the next week might have been even more impressive, when he put up 279 yards and 4 touchdowns on an overmatched Spartan defense that never stood a chance.  The only thing keeping Johnson from 400 yards and 7 touchdowns was the fact that Penn State was up 48-0 at the half, and so out he came.  Johnson averaged almost 15 yards a touch in that game–his 279 yards came on 19 rushes.  Two of those touchdown runs were a 78-yard gallop, and a 38-yard score.  He was simply untouchable.

On a whole, the season just seems like something straight out of a video game, even despite a 13-9 loss to Auburn in the Capital One Bowl.  Johnson managed 2087 yards and 20 touchdowns on all of 271 carries, good for a flat out ridiculous 7.7 yards per carry average.  That’s not even counting his 41 catches, good for second on the team, with 3 touchdowns and 341 yards, and the fact that he was the team’s leading kick returner, averaging about 20 yards per return.  Needless to say, Johnson set all sorts of records: the highest yards per carry average ever, and the fewest carries ever for a 2000 yard season. For his work, LJ won the Doak Walker Award as the NCAA’s top running back, and the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards as college football’s best player.  Despite only receiving the bulk of the carries for one season, Johnson exited Penn State as the 4th all-time rusher, and his senior season rewrote the Nittany Lion history books.  The lone honor he didn’t receive was the Heisman (Carson Palmer of USC took the prize), despite Joe Paterno’s public campaigning.  And remember, Paterno is a guy who never promotes his players for these sort of awards:

“When you guys sit down [to vote for the Heisman], it’s spelled L-A-R-R-Y J-O-H-N-S-O-N, senior tailback, coached by the oldest guy in the history of football. You got it?”

“Anytime he gets his hand on the football he can turn the game around,” Paterno said. “That’s the way he’s playing right now. He’s as explosive as anyone right now that I’ve seen play.”

Johnson parlayed his senior season into a 1st round draft pick, and though he began his career as a backup to Priest Holmes, Johnson quickly established himself as one of the better running backs in the NFL.  A 2-time Pro Bowler who eclipsed 2000 all-purpose yards in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Johnson has bounced around the last few years due to off-field issues and declining production.  Johnson is currently signed with the Washington Redskins.

Related Posts:

1. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Running Backs
2. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Wide Receivers
3. Paul Johnson, ballsy play caller

The fourth player in the 44 for 44 is Allan Quay Shipley.

Like so many of our other profiled players, Shipley’s outstanding career started in high school.  A two-way standout along both lines, Shipley was named a first-team all-district, all-region, and all-state, player.  He earned his way into the Big 33 Game, and on just about every All Star team Pennsylvania had to offer.  Shipley could’ve gone to virtually any school in the northeast, but he chose the local Lions.

But his path to dominance for Penn State did not come easy.  Shipley came to Penn State as a defensive tackle, and was reportedly unhappy with his move to center.  Even if he didn’t want to play the offensive line, it would only be natural to be perturbed by the way he was jerked around, from defense to offense, switching back and forth repeatedly during his first couple seasons.  But by Shipley’s redshirt sophomore season in 2006, he had won a starting job at center and would never look back.  Anchoring a young offense line, Shipley was the only Nittany Lion offensive lineman to start all 13 games, and though Penn State struggled with inconsistency in the first year of the Anthony Morelli era, Shipley was a rock.

By his junior season, Shipley started to gain regional and national recognition, especially as Penn State’s offensive line became a more cohesive unit.  Named a first team All-Conference selection and Rimington award finalist for the best center in the nation, Shipley was named to ESPN’s All-Bowl team following Penn State’s victory over Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl, one in which the Lions racked up 270 yards on the ground behind their offensive line.

Heading into 2008, Shipley was widely considered one of the best offensive linemen in the country, finding himself on preseason watchlists for the Rimington, Lombardi, and Outland trophies.  More importantly, though, he was a captain on a team that would exceed expectations behind their senior leadership.  And while Penn State boasted one of its best offenses in school history, Shipley, too, stood out, finding himself once again a first-team All Big Ten selection, but this time winning the Rimington Trophy and earning the nod as the best center in college football. Named an All-American, too, Shipley stands out as one of the most decorated linemen in Penn State history.

Shipley may have turned heads when he scored a whopping 40 on the Wonderlic test at the 2008 combine–one of the best scores recorded that year–but found himself merely a 7th-round draft pick of his hometown Steelers, mainly due to concerns about his arm length.  This January, the Eagles signed him off Pittsburgh’s practice squad, and with a hole on Philadelphia’s offensive line, Shipley is expected to contend for the starting job.

Related Posts:

1. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Center
2. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Guards
3. Counting Down the Lions: #6

The third Penn Stater in the 44 for 44 is Kenny Jackson.

Kenny Jackson was always an elite athlete.  Even when he was in high school, back in New Jersey, Jackson not only lettered in football, but also baseball, basketball, and track.  Overall, his tremendous accomplishments led South River High School to retire his jersey number, 21.

It was football, though, where Jackson knew he would make his mark–holding scholarship offers from just about every school on the east coast and many more, Kenny could pick his school at will.  Choosing Penn State, Jackson became a catalyst for change in a program that seemingly needed to catch up with the times.

Arriving on campus in 1980, Jackson was a starter from day one.  Not just a starter, Jackson was the team’s #1 wideout that year–his 21 catches, 386 yards, and 5 touchdowns paced the Lions in all three categories, and he was also the chief punt returner.  Yes, it was a different time back then, when a 10-2 team, that finished the year ranked 10th, could succeed despite a quarterback who completed just 47% of his passes, with 7 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  Penn State rushed the ball twice as many times as they threw it, but even so, it was clear that Jackson would become a star.

As the schedule turned to 1981, it was more of the same for Penn State.  Though Todd Blackledge approached mediocrity, this was still a Nittany Lion team that made their living on the ground.  Kenny Jackson, too, saw his role change–he became more of a deep threat than possession receiver.  Though Jackson’s catch total diminished, from 21 catches to just 19, he eclipsed his yardage and touchdown total of the previous year, finishing with 440 and 6, respectively, as both, once again, led the team, to go along with a 23.2 yard per catch average.

His shining moment of that season, another 10-2 season for Penn State, was in what was undoubtedly the team’s best performance.  The Pittsburgh rivalry had more on the line than usual, as the #11 Nittany Lions visited a then-#1 Pitt team, led by Dan Marino, in a game that had title implications written all over it.  Though Penn State struggled mightily in the early going, Kenny Jackson soon took over.  The sophomore broke out in a big way, leading Penn State to a blowout win over the bitter rivals, setting the Penn State single-game record for receiving yards (with 158, on just 5 catches) in the process.  SI has the recap:

Then came the most telling play of the afternoon. With 3:05 left in the half and Penn State still smarting from the embarrassment of its first-quarter ineptitude and facing a second and one on its own 39, Paterno sent Flanker Kenny Jackson in with the call for the bomb. “All it is is Kenny runs as fast as he can and I throw as far as I can,” said Blackledge. A little pump fake cleared out the defensive clutter, and Jackson grabbed the ball and scooted to the Pitt 8. Then Blackledge ran a perfectly executed quarterback draw for the score, and it was 14-14 at halftime.

Shortly after play resumed Pitt fumbled and Blackledge threw a 42-yard pass to Kenny Jackson, who did a startling 320-degree spin at the 10 to elude Safety Tom Flynn and race in for a touchdown. Penn State, 21-14, Less than three minutes later Blackledge again hit Jackson, this time for 45 yards and another TD. Penn State, 28-14, and only six minutes gone in the second half. Asked later if he had ever been so wide-open for a reception as he was for the 45-yarder, Jackson said, “Sure, in practice.” The nearest Pitt defensive back was a $3 cab ride away.

Coming off consecutive 10-win seasons, expectations were high for Penn State in 1982.  Jackson had proven himself to be one of the best receivers in the country and the running game was equally dominant. But even after his first two seasons, few could expect what Jackson had in store as a junior.  Penn State faced a truly championship-quality schedule in 1982, with contests not just against regional powers like Maryland, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh, but matchups with Nebraska, Alabama, and Notre Dame.  And through it all, the Lions excelled, dropping just the game in Tuscaloosa.  And perhaps no Lion stood out as much as the junior Kenny Jackson.  Reeling in 41 catches–the most of any Penn State receiver since 1965, 697 yards, the most of any Lion in history, and hauling in 7 touchdown passes, again, setting a new Penn State record, Jackson became Blackledge’s favorite target as the quarterback himself finally blossomed, and as both were named All-Americans.  Jackson became the first Penn State wideout so honored.

And though Jackson would be shut down by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Curt Warner more than picked up the slack. For the first time in its history, Penn State had finally gained respect, as the consensus national champions.

Though the 1983 season was a step down for all parties, Jackson once again excelled.  Though Penn State was able to get some revenge against Alabama, the schedule was just too much.  Falling 44-6 in the season opener against #2 Nebraska, 14-3 against Cincinnati, and 42-34 to 14th ranked Iowa, Penn State opened the season 0-3.  Jackson was the only carry-over from that national championship offense, and Doug Strang and D.J. Dozier had trouble replacing their predecessors.  Penn State was able to rebound from their early-season struggles, though, finishing 8-1-1, with the tie coming in Pittsburgh, and with a win over Washington in the Aloha Bowl.

For the second straight year, Jackson was named an All-American, even though his numbers slipped a bit.  Though he missed time battling various injuries, Jackson brought in 28 passes for 483 yards, and repeated his total of 7 touchdowns from the year before.  When it was all said and done, Jackson held virtually every record in the books for Penn State pass catchers–among them the most yards, the most touchdowns, the most 100-yard games, and the second most receptions in the Nittany Lion annals.

A first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1984, Jackson hung around the NFL for 8 years, though he never lived up to his college success.  After retiring from the pro game, Jackson returned to Happy Valley, as Penn State’s wide receivers coach.  It was under his tutelage that players like Bobby Engram, Joe Jurevicious, and Freddie Scott excelled, and so, after 7 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers came calling on him to take the same position. Now, he’s a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network.

Up next in the 44 for 44: A.Q. Shipley

Related Posts:

1. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Wide Receivers
2. Penn State keeps BCS dream alive with big win at Michigan State
3. Royster to Return to PSU

The second Penn Stater in the 44 for 44 is LaVar Arrington.

LaVar Arrington made headlines as early as high school, when he became just the second player in the history of Pennsylvania’s AAAA division to rush for over 4000 yards in his career, adding 72 touchdowns in his four years.  Among the most celebrated players in the country, Arrington was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, the Bobby Dodd Offensive Player of the Year, the Parade Magazine Player of the Year, and the USA Today Player of the Year from Pennsylvania.  Oh, and that was just in football.  Arrington also stood out in basketball and track and field, and was recruited by such powerhouses in the former as North Carolina and Georgetown.  Weighing scholarship offers from just about every major program in the country, Arrington chose to stay home, and chose Penn State.  In Arrington, Penn State earned a commitment from a recruit considered by many to be the best in the country.

So, yeah, to say that the hype surrounding Arrington was abundant would be a pretty major understatement.  Possessing the greatest combination of size, speed, and strength of any player in Penn State history, the only question was, “how fast could it all come together?”

As a true freshman, Arrington was initially buried on the depth chart, but worked his way onto the field.  LaVar saw mainly reserve minutes at the onset of the season, but quickly found himself Penn State’s fourth linebacker.  Starting one game, against Purdue, Arrington accumulated 26 tackles, and 2 sacks.

It didn’t take long for it all to come together for the freakishly athletic Arrington.  As a true sophomore, Arrington started all but the first game of the season at outside linebacker, and it didn’t take long before he established himself as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten, and in the country.  A disruptive force, Arrington led the team with 67 tackles–49 solo–and his 7 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss were the most of any Penn State linebacker.  Arrington even added solid pass coverage, breaking up 11 passes, intercepting two, and returning one of those for an interception.

It was in the 7th game of this season when Arrington made the most famous play of his Penn State career, jumping not just the snap count, but the entire Illinois offensive line, in blowing up a 4th-and-1 rush.

Named an All-American and the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year, Arrington set the bar pretty high for his junior season.

It wasn’t just Arrington who had to live up to expectations, but the Nittany Lion team, ranked 3rd in the country in the preseason, was in a similar situation.  It would be Arrington leading the charge–along with Brandon Short, Courtney Brown, and David Macklin, he was part of a Penn State defensive core that had to be among the best in recent history.  So said Sports Illustrated in their 1999 season preview:

If Thompson is anything better than adequate at quarterback, Paterno’s dominating defense will send the Nittany Lions to the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4 for a shot at his third national championship.

And early on, it seemed liked Penn State was destined to live up to the hype.  Racing out to a 9-0 record, the Nittany Lions looked like worldbeaters–only 3 of those games were even close.  An early season win in Miami put an end to a war of words between Arrington and the Hurricanes’ standout linebacker Dan Morgan, just as Miami dared to deign themselves the new Linebacker U, and a two-touchdown win against Ohio State proved the team’s mettle.  The early season was not without drama, though, as Penn State needed a last-second blocked field goal against Pittsburgh, coming from who else but Arrington, to preserve a win against the rival Panthers.

But, as we all know, Minnesota came in to Happy Valley and shocked the then-No. 2 Nittany Lions, when Dan Nystrom drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired, to give the Gophers a 24-23 edge.  As Minnesota marched the ball 68 yards in just 1:50, the packed house in Beaver Stadium could just watch, as their dominating defense fell apart.  And though Arrington came close to blocking Nystrom’s kick–as he had done twice before that season–he too fell just short.  The dream season was over.

And following that defeat, the wheels came off for Penn State.  With two games remaining, against #5 Michigan and #7 Michigan State, Penn State failed to rebound, losing both by a combined 11 points.  Against Michigan, too, Penn State’s defense failed to protect a late lead, as the Wolverines converted a short field into the game winning touchdown, with under two minutes left to play.  Though Penn State finally bounced back in the Alamo Bowl, trouncing Texas A&M 24-0 to finish the year ranked 11th, it was a sad reminder of what could have been, were in not for a freshman kicker, on a cold November day.

But through it all, Arrington excelled.  LaVar improved on his stellar sophomore season, with 72 tackles, 20 for a loss, and 9 sacks.  The Butkus and Lambert Award winner as the best linebacker in the country, Arrington was also named the Bednarik Award winner, as college football’s best defender.  For the second time, LaVar was named an All-American, and even received a handful of Heisman votes, finishing ninth.

Arrington declared for the NFL draft following his junior year, and was selected 2nd by the Washington Redskins, right after his teammate Courtney Brown.  Before chronic injuries derailed a promising NFL career, Arrington had been a 3-time pro bowler for Washington, and twice an All-Pro selection.  He maintains a close relationship with Penn State, having mentored such standouts as Derrick Williams, Aaron Maybin, and Navorro Bowman.

Up next in the 44 for 44 series is Kenny Jackson.

Related Posts:

1. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Cornerbacks
2. Counting Down the Lions: #5
3. Guess Who’s Back, Back Again…

But instead of choosing Ohio State or Rutgers or Pittsburgh, as so many top prospects have done this offseason, Mangiro chose the Blue and White, instantly becoming the most highly touted prospect to pick Penn State thus far for the class of 2011.  This means we don’t have to push the panic button just yet.

The 6-3, 295 guard already stands as an imposing figure, and one can only imagine the road-grader he’ll become after a few years in the college weight room. That impressive frame, when coupled with his superb strength and athleticism, made Mangiro one of the top prospects in the northeast. Able to bench press 330 pounds, squat 475, and earning all-conference, all-region, all-county and all-state honors, Mangiro still maintained a 3.5 GPA.

Scout ranks Mangiro as the #5 guard in the country, and grades him as a 4-star prospect, while ESPN lists Mangiro as the #2 player at his position, and offers a comprehensive scouting report. Excerpts:

Mangiro has the athleticism and playing strength to be a dominant run blocker…This player flashes the playing strength to knock defenders off the ball. When asked to reach on offset defenders will tend to raise his pad level however his good agility and balance allow him to maintain contact and gain leverage…This guy displays the ability to handle quick inside movement and can be a devastating down blocker…This is a tough, aggressive player with the finishing attitude that can dominate opponents. Mangiro could see early playing time if a red shirt year is not deemed necessary, regardless this player is capable of making a significant impact during his career.

But if the recruiting services don’t impress you, take a look at the offer sheet:  In addition to the aforementioned schools, Mangiro held scholarship offers from Florida, USC, Boston College, Notre Dame, and just about every other school in the region.

This is a big get for Penn State, even if the deck was stacked in our favor from the outset.  We can only hope that Mangiro’s commitment not only gets the ball rolling for the Nittany Lions, but also prompts Angelo to sing our praises to his fellow big-time prospects.

Related Posts:

1. Penn State picks up uninspiring win against Syracuse
2. Penn State basketball picks up Tre Bowman
3. Penn State picks up DE CJ Olaniyan

Also starting today is our newest summer feature, 44 for 44.  In honor of Joe Paterno’s 44 seasons at the helm we’re taking a look back with a career retrospective, chroncling the best 44 players in the Joe Paterno era at Penn State, introducing one player per day until the season opener against Youngstown State on September 4th.  The players are in listed no particular order, but each has carved his place in Penn State history.  They are among the all-time greats of the college game.  You’ll see Hall-of-Famers, All-Americans, and first round draft picks.  You’ll see some familiar names and others you might’ve never heard before.  My only hope is that you have as much fun reading these profiles as I did researching and writing them.

For a program with as much history as Penn State, it still comes as a surprise that just one Nittany Lion has earned the greatest honor in the college football world.  But that man, who epitomizes all that is great about Dear Old State, stands on his own.

The first Penn Stater in the 44 for 44 is running back John Cappelletti.

John Cappelletti’s decision to attend Penn State University was an easy one.  Not only was Penn State a powerhouse, coming off consecutive undefeated seasons when he committed in 1969, and not only was there an obvious connection between the then-young Paterno and his paisan, but most importantly, the school’s central Pennsylvania location meant the high school stand-out from Upper Darby wouldn’t have to travel too far from home, from his ailing younger brother.  And for young Joey Cappelletti, it meant the chance to see his brother play, every week, in person.  Joey’s reward for the chemotherapy treatments he underwent Monday through Friday was to be able to see his big brother in action every weekend.

But to look at Cappelletti, when he arrived on campus and set foot on the football field, one would not have seen a future Heisman trophy winner.  How could you?  He hadn’t been a particularly high-profile recruit–to the extent that there were high-profile recruits 40 years ago (he chose Penn State over the even more local Villanova), but he wasn’t even a running back at the onset of his Nittany Lion career.  Rather than never see the field, stuck behind the powerful duo of Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris, Cappelletti instead played safety in his freshman and sophomore seasons, mixing in punt and kick return duty as well.  Until his junior year, Cappelletti hadn’t yet registered a carry or catch, but he had picked off a pass, and racked up a handful of tackles.

In 1972, that all changed.  Anointed the starter, Cappelletti quickly forged an identity as one of the best running backs in the country.  These were the days when Penn State’s leading quarterback threw less than 20 times per game, when “three yards and a cloud of dust” was the rule, not the exception, before SEC speed, and the spread offense.  And though he was replacing two standouts, it wasn’t long before Cappelletti had earned the admiration of the Penn State faithful.  After a season-opening loss against the #8 Tennessee Volunteers, in Neyland Stadium, the Lions made quick work of the rest of their schedule, rolling through the rest of the northeast.  With the exception of their 14-10 defeat of Iowa, no Penn State win was by less than 2 scores, and it was Cappelletti doing the most damage.  Penn State’s only other loss, a 14-0 blanking of the Lions by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, came with Cappelletti sidelined due to an illness.

His 5 100-yard games, 12 touchdowns and 1117 yards ranked among the best in the country, and Cappelletti’s 1972 rushing yardage total placed him second on the all-time list at Penn State.  Still, Cappelletti’s magnificent season may well have been overshadowed by that of his quarterback.  Though a margin of 15 touchdowns to 8 interceptions, a 53% completion percentage, and just over 2000 yards might not turn too many heads today, back in 1972 it was enough to earn John Hufnagel All-America status.

But even after his breakout junior season few could’ve expected what 1973 would bring for Cappelletti.

The graduation of Hufnagel thrust Cappelletti even further into the spotlight, and he, accordingly, put the team on his back.  Forced to sit the bench for long stretches of a time, Cappelletti was a victim of Penn State’s success–even in 1973, Joe Paterno refused to run up the score on hapless opponents.  And as Penn State blew out just about everyone they faced, crushing their first 6 opponents by an average of 31 points per game, Cappelletti, quietly enough, continued to craft his legacy. Still, he was hardly a front-runner to win the Heisman trophy as the schedule turned to late October.  But then the Mountaineers of West Virginia came to Penn State, and on the eve of Joey’s eleventh birthday, no less.  When John asked what his brother would like as a birthday present, the younger Cappelletti came up with a whopper.  “Four touchdowns,” he asked of his brother.

John did his best to fulfill Joey’s requet, rushing for over 100 yards and three touchdowns as Penn State raced out to a big lead.  But when the Lions came out for the second half, Cappelletti found himself relegated to the bench.  It wasn’t until one of his teammates told Joe what one more touchdown would mean for Joey, that Paterno finally relented.  Cappelletti came back in to the game, and earned his fourth touchdown, putting the final touches on a 62-14 massacre, but, more importantly, giving Joey the birthday present he wanted.

Down the stretch, Penn State’s schedule turned.  The final four opponents for the Lions were Maryland and North Carolina State–both ranked teams, Ohio, and then rival Pittsburgh.  And, just as the cliched saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough got going.  Before the Maryland game, Joe Paterno told Cappelletti that he was a serious candidate for the highest honor in the sport, and his running back stepped up to the occasion.  Cappelletti put on a show that final month, rushing for 202 yards against Maryland, then 220 against North Carolina State, to go along with 4 touchdowns against the Wolfpack.  The next week, he would continue the trend, rushing for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns against Ohio.  When he put the final touches on his Heisman resume, with 161 yards and a touchdown as the Lions turned aside the Panthers 35-13, not only had Cappelletti capped off a remarkable individual campaign, he had also led Penn State to its third undefeated season in Paterno’s 8 years.  His 1522 yards broke his own mark of the year before, re-setting his record as the 2nd most in Nittany Lion history, and his 29 career touchdowns also ranked 2nd.  His 286 attempts in the season set a Penn State record, and he became the first two-time 1000+ yard rusher in Penn State history.

Just as in 1968 and 1969, though, Paterno’s team went unrecognized.  Rather than play for the national championship, the Lions lined up against LSU in the Orange Bowl, and passed their final test, beating the SEC runners-up 16-9.  But due in no small part to their weak schedule, the undefeated Lions finished the year ranked just 5th in the polls.

But that didn’t keep Cappelletti from becoming a consensus All-American, and from winning virtually every major award, from the Maxwell Award to the Walter Camp Award, and of course, the Heisman Trophy, where he made the speech that made him more than just a Penn State legend. That unrehearsed, off-the-cuff speech made him an all-time hero of the sport.  Though Joey would die three years later at the far-too-young age of 13, finally a victim of the leukemia he had so valiantly battled for 8 years, the bond between brothers would be forever immortalized in the book, and then made-for-TV film, Something for Joey.

The youngest member of my family, Joseph, is very ill. He has leukemia. If I can dedicate this trophy to him tonight and give him a couple of days of happiness, this is worth everything. I think a lot of people think that I go through a lot on Saturdays and during the week as most athletes do, and you get your bumps and bruises and it is a terrific battle out there on the field. Only for me it is on Saturdays and it’s only in the fall. For Joseph it is all year round and it is a battle that is unending with him and he puts up with much more than I’ll ever put up with, and I think this trophy is more his than mine because he has been a great inspiration to me.

Cappelletti would be selected 11th overall in the 1974 NFL Draft, and enjoyed a 10-year pro career with the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers, though he never achieved the same success that he had at Penn State.  In 1993, John Cappelletti received one final honor, when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Perhaps the greatest acclaim Cappelletti can claim, though, is that Joe Paterno himself called Cappelletti the best player he’d ever coached.

Note: not all “44 for 44″ profiles will be this long, but Cappelletti’s story is an extraordinary one.  Next up in the series: LaVar Arrington.

Related Posts:

1. Penn State keeps BCS dream alive with big win at Michigan State
2. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Running Backs
3. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Tight End

Tim Curley and Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced today that Nittany Lions and Midshipmen will meet on Sept. 15, 2012 in Beaver Stadium resuming a traditional rivalry that has been dormant for 35 years. In addition to the away game matchup with fellow Automatic Qualifying conference opponent Virginia scheduled for the previous weekend, this marks the 2nd quality AQ opponent for Penn State in the 2012 season.

Temple was originally scheduled for that weekend, but has since been reschedule to the following Saturday on September 22nd, 2012.

The Nittany Lions and Midshipmen have met 37 times in the past.  The two teams met on 12 occasions between 1961-74, with Navy serving as Penn State’s season opener 8 times. Although the Lions hold a 7-3 advantage when playing in State College, they are just 18-17-2 all-time against the Midshipmen. A surprising tough series.

Even the last game between the two ended in heartbreak when Navy coach and former Penn State assistant George Welsh led the Midshipmen to a 7-6 upset over the #8 Nittany Lions in State College. And as always Navy will be no pushover, as Ohio State has learned in last season’s opener when the Midshipmen nearly upset the #6 Buckeyes at home, when a 2-point conversion with just over 2 minutes left in the game which would have tied the game at 29 was picked off and returned by Ohio State’s Brian Rolle for the eventual 31-27 victory. Let’s also not forget the 23-21 victory over #22 Notre Dame last season, the 24-17 victory over #16 Wake Forest in 2008 and the 46-44 thrilling victory over Notre Dame in 2007 that ended a 43 game losing streak to the Fighting Irish.

You can expect Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo to pull out all the stops against the Nittany Lions when the traditional rivalry resumes in 2012.

Related Posts:

1. Fear the Turtle! Terrapins set to face Penn State
2. Meadowlands to continue Penn State – Syracuse rivalry
3. Penn State scheduled to face Illinois on ABC at 3:30

The event has certainly come a long way since the inaugural Lift for Life in 2003, which raised just $13,000.

But as Lift for Life grows in stature and in reputation, it becomes more and more distanced from its inspiring origins.

Back in 2003, wide receiver Scott Shirley’s father was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  And though he wasn’t a doctor, Shirley decided to take action.  Teaming up with linemen Damone Jones and Dave Coslow, Shirley founded Uplifting Athletes, knowing that he could use the high profile of college football players to spread awareness and raise funds to combat rare diseases.  Thus, Lift for Life was born, and nearly a decade later, Scott Shirley’s dream to spread awareness has indeed come true.

Now, Uplifting Athletes has branches at 4 other universities, where student-athletes at Boston College, Maryland, Ohio State, and Colgate raise money to combat other rare diseases.  At Boston College, it’s Ewing’s Sarcoma, the cancer which affected linebacker Mark Herzlich.  And at Colgate, their third annual Lift for Life just raised over $8000 to combat neuroblastoma, one of the most common cancers affecting children.

Here at Penn State, it’s been Brett Brackett taking the lead as president of Uplifting Athletes, where he’s created new events, like last year’s Charity Video Game Tournament, and brought the work of Uplifting Athletes into the spotlight.  When Brackett arrived on campus, he was one of just a handful of student-athletes working in the group, and now, he presides over two dozen football players, all united with a common goal.

Given his years of commitment to the charity, it should come as no surprise that it was Brackett’s team, “OH Jersey,” which finished first of the 20 teams competing as he, Jack Crawford, Gerald Hodges, and Mike Zordich outlifted the competition.

When observers talk about Joe Paterno’s “Grand Experiment,” to prove that football players could indeed be student-athletes, it’s really just understating what Penn State football is all about.  At how many other schools do you see football players becoming leaders on campus and in the community? Where else are football players better known for their charity then their play on the field, as Brackett may well be?

Though Brackett’s contributions as a wide receiver may never parallel those of Derrick Williams and Deon Butler, he will leave just as lasting an impact on Penn State, and while Uplifting Athletes wasn’t the brainchild of Joe Paterno, it certainly carries in his tradition where football players are more than just that.

As Brackett explains, it’s almost an obligation on his part to go above and beyond what is expected.

“As college football student-athletes, we believe we are in a position to make a difference. Lift for Life is one way a small group of people can make a big impact on the lives of others.”

As Lift for Life continues to grow, and raises more and more money to help those battling rare diseases, we can point to it as just another reason to be Penn State proud.  And if you’re one of the thousands who makes the trek down to College Ave. and Allen Street ever summer, head up University Drive to Holuba Hall, and become a part of something that epitomizes what Penn State is all about.

Related Posts:

1. Counting Down the Lions: #30
2. THON 2010; History, Memories, and Overview
3. For the Kids! #THON makes worldwide debut

But that’s not the case. I had the opportunity to speak with Associate Athletic Director Greg Myford, who straightened out the story.  Rather than swimming in funding, the athletic department would soon be operating at a deficit.  Rather than force anyone out of their seat and out of Beaver Stadium, the first priority is keeping current ticket holders not just in the stadium, but in their seat.  The complete Q&A is after the jump, and it should assuage anyone’s fears that the STEP program is merely a money grab.

NittanyWhiteOut: The Penn State Athletic Department is entirely self-sufficient, right, so that means there are no tax dollars, no tuition dollars funding any sports

Greg Myford: That’s correct.

NWO: So what challenges did you see in maintaining that equilibrium that prompted the implementation of the STEP program?

Image courtesy GoPSUSports.com

Penn State being late in the game in implementing something like that has on the one hand put us in a disadvantage with our fanbase, only because it is new and the way we’ve issued tickets has been the same way for a long, long, time.  So now, to introduce not only a new way of doing things, but a way that requires more financial commitment, certainly we expected to, and we have, heard feedback from the fans.

NWO: What has that feedback been?

GM: The feedback we’ve gotten, it’s pretty interesting. It’s kind of falling into three distinct areas.  One is the folks who are most disappointed by the overall introduction of the plan, and what it means to them.  There’s another group that calls, and they’re not upset about what the plan means, they just want to make sure they understand it.  They have a lot of questions, they want to understand what they have to do, in order to keep their tickets or participate in the plan.  Then there’s the third group that either is a current season ticket holder or isn’t a ticket holder at all, but recognizes this as an opportunity to sit where they want to in Beaver Stadium, by agreeing to the new terms of the plan, and agreeing to pay the amount required to do so.  It’s been an interesting program, like in most cases,  sometimes what we tend to hear and what gets the most attention is the negative aspect of that.

Can you talk about the decision to implement this now as opposed to addressing the budget shortfall as it occurs, and increasing ticket prices incrementally?

There was some conversation of that.  Although the shortfall won’t come until a few years out there are still several other initiatives that we need to address.  I should back up and let you know that the shortfall is based only on operating expenses only.  What that means is what is not forecast in those expenses are additional required capital improvements and construction.  So, with the exception of the softball field, which is currently underway—when we look out, to the next ten years, it would be naïve not to think there will be significant expenses associated with either new or improved facilities.  So if that number was not even in the expense line, our problem is that much more significant.  So we knew we had to address the issue immediately.  But we did talk about it—increasing ticket prices on an incremental basis.  And when we looked at the numbers, when we looked at the levels that we’re asking for as far as season ticket holder participation, as compared to many of our peer institutions, we were comfortable in that what we’re asking is moderate in comparison.  If we look at those top 25 programs, when we implement this program in 2011, we’re going to be in the middle of the pack when it comes to the annual commitment to buy season tickets for our program.  From a financial standpoint, knowing where we knew we had to get to in terms of revenue generation, and what other peer institutions were asking, we are comfortable with where we ended up.

[Ed. note: For a list of schools with similar programs, which includes Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida, Oregon, and Alabama, visit GoPSUSports.com]

There was a recent report on AOL listing athletic departments in terms of revenue, and Penn State ranked 6^th, with virtually all that money coming from football.  Was there any attempt to try and get more money out of the basketball program or the wrestling program, or other traditionally non-revenue generating sports, to take some off the burden of the football fans?

Well, that’s always a consideration, and it’s something we pay a lot of attention to on an ongoing basis.  But the reality is that the numbers—whether it’s attendance-wise, or with the fanbase associated with those sports—really pale in comparison to football, and always have.  In the grand scheme of things, there’s not really much of an opportunity to address our need with those other sports at this time.  We’re always trying to grow those programs, but the impact those other sports can provide are minimized.

At the same time, we’ve seen the Athletic Department get very ambitious in replacing some coaches who have departed—in new hires like Cael Sanderson, Jeff Tambroni, and Bob Warming.  Is that going to be a side effect of the STEP program: with more money coming in, will Penn State expect to be more competitive in non-football sports?

That’s the goal regardless of STEP, but I think it is safe to say that in general, the way we’re approaching the whole program, it’s important that our fans understand that Penn State athletics realizes there’s a risk in implementing this program. I’ve talked directly with fans who have told me that to introduce this plan either seems arrogant or seems presumptive on our part, but I can assure you there’s nobody here who thinks this way.  We’re very aware that when we ask more of our fans, that they will accept more.  So to come back to your question, that goes across the board in athletics.  So I don’t think these recent coaching hires has anything to do directly with STEP, but we know that if we’re going to ask our fans to make the commitment make Penn State a top-tier program, let’s do our part to make this a top tier program.

From my personal experience, I can tell you that the Jets and Giants, in trying to fill their new stadium, have had to slash prices on their personal seat licenses, and have offered some sections with no PSLs.  Is there any concern that you might have to roll back the minimum donations to ensure that you sell all your seats?

We don’t have any concern about that at this point, and we won’t do that. To do that would not be fair to the many who do support at the level that’s asked.  But we also take a look at where we are from a straight business standpoint, to make the right decisions and do what we need to in order to generate the required revenue and make sure we’re maximizing the number of fans who can come and enjoy games at Beaver Stadium.

So how will this program change the current ticketing procedure, from the Nittany Lion Club points?

Well, the Nittany Lion Club is based on donations.  Points are earned through money given. So, the more points you have, that’s a reflection of money you’ve donated.

But I’ve also heard reports from these individuals who have had tickets for a long time, and have the more desired seats, but don’t pay as much. So with this you’re opening up some of the better seats, so to speak.

First of all, it’s important to know that our first priority in this whole process has been to make sure that people currently in Beaver Stadium, that their first option is to stay right where they’re at, and not have to relocate at all.  That is, of course, assuming that they’re willing to do so under the new terms of the STEP.  This is not a reseating in that nobody is being told they’re out of their seat.  With a few exceptions—where we’ve moved the student section, and the visitor seating, things like that.  But for those where the seating itself isn’t affected, there’s nobody who’s going to be forced from their seat.  Our first priority was making sure people had the opportunity to stay right where they are by providing the required donation.  The traditional reseating is, basically, to pick everyone up out of their seat, and then reallocate based on how much they’re donating. But this is not that at all.  That person you’re referencing, who’s been at the 30 yard line for 30 years, and is giving the minimum amount, they can still stay there. Granted, they’ll have to pay the new donation, but nobody is being forced to move.  And just as importantly, if they make the decision that they don’t want to, or can’t pay that, we’ve left approximately 1/3 of the stadium seats at 100 dollars per seat, which is the current requirement. So those people have the option to move to those locations, and not see any increased donation.

With 1/3 of the stadium at the current minimum donation level, do you see that making it easier or more difficult for first-time ticket buyers to get season tickets at Beaver Stadium, especially younger individuals like recent graduates?

That’s a very interesting question, and I don’t know that I have the statistics to back it up, but I can give you a gut reaction based on my conversations, what we’re finding in the questions we’re receiving from individuals who don’t currently have tickets.  There is a younger fanbase that is contacting us about how they could get tickets and they are not necessarily looking for the cheapest tickets.  There is a certain percentage of the population out there that to this day doesn’t believe they can get a season ticket, and this program begins to reveal that you will be able to, and you can, and here’s how. This introduces to a much broader fanbase the possibility of coming to Beaver Stadium to come for games.

What concerns were given into moving the student section, and are there any plans in the works on how to accommodate traditions like the S-Zone and the Blue Band?

Certainly it was a concern, we wanted to make sure we explained to the students, and we want to make the students understand why we’re moving the student section.  One of the primary reasons the student section is moving is so that we could adequately maximize the program we’ve put in place.  I’ve heard the athletic department being accused of trying to cover up the movement of the student section with “making that end zone louder.”  That’s very true, and that’s going to happen, but that’s not why the student section has been moved.  I want to be clear: that’s not a reason that the Athletic Department is giving as to why the student section is being moved.  It’s being moved as a result of our need to put the STEP program in place, and with the tickets near the 30 yard line bringing in the most revenue.

It’s not firm what we’re going to do with the Blue Band and S-Zone, but what I went in, and had several conversations with students, what I’ve said is “you tell me.”  We know what the student section is, how big it’s going to be, where it’s going to exist. But I want to hear from the students, where the S-Zone should be, where the Blue Band should be.  Obviously I’m talking to Dr. Bundy, and the Blue Band, because from a performance standpoint, we want to make sure they’re in the right place, so we don’t put them somewhere they don’t sound as good.  With that the case, I’m really interested in hearing the feedback.

With the Big Ten Network—I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted the enormous success that the Big Ten Network has been.  With the Nebraska in the fold, and as that generates more and more revenues for member schools, what implications could that have for Penn State athletics?

We haven’t been able to change revenue projections based on Nebraska’s addition to the Big Ten, and realistically, we think it would be premature to do that. We all believe Nebraska is a great addition, and know that they’ll provide a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for whatever sports they compete in, especially here on campus.  But getting to the point of monetizing what that means, we haven’t gotten to that point.

But hypothetically, as the Big Ten Network continues to grow, and, with the STEP program in place, if the athletic department is running a surplus, where could we see that money go?

There has not been any consideration as to where that money would go.  But if there started to be evidence that there would be significant incremental revenues that we weren’t counting on when the forecasting was done, I can say with certainty that those revenues would be considered for a number of things.  We have a fairly long list of improvements we’d like to make, and we know that we can’t get to them all. I guess we’d feel good about being able to get to more of those things, or perhaps accomplishing those faster, than we were counting on.  I’d look at all of our facilities, and what we need to do in those facilities, and some of our costs that we unfortunately can’t do much about, whether it’s travel, whether it’s medical costs, whether it’s utilities, stuff like that.  From an operating standpoint, and increased revenue helps us address those challenges too. And it’s safe to say those challenges aren’t going away.  But I don’t have any specific projects in mind, and I wouldn’t want to prioritize at this point, but that would help us address those things.

We’ve heard that Penn State needs to have 7 and a half home games per year in order to make things work. Might the STEP program allow for a change in the way the out-of-conference games are scheduled?

I don’t know if the STEP program has any direct impact on who gets scheduled, but I think certainly if it is successful, and as we begin to generate more revenues, it certainly could put us in a spot where we consider an additional neutral site game, or being able to take on an additional home and home series, as opposed to year after year having to get to that number of home games.

NittanyWhiteOut wants to offer its sincere thanks to Greg Myford for his time and expertise in breaking down the intricacies of the STEP Program. We hope this clears up some of the common misconceptions, but for additional information, please visit the STEP homepage on the Athletics website.

Related Posts:

1. Explaining the BCS or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Orange Bowl
2. Penn State Football Student Tickets: Senior allotment exhausted
3. What We Learned:

Oakman is rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals, and as the #20 defensive end in the country and #7 player in the state of Pennsylvania.  Scout ranks Oakman as a 3-star prospect, and lists scholarship offers from such other schools as Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, UConn, and South Carolina.  The 6’8, 240 pound prospect has a tremendous frame, and could develop into a special player.   He uses his size to play a standout tight end as well, but figures to slot in on the other side.

A highly-touted basketball prospect as well, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine Oakman serving double duty, like Jordan Norwood did at the start of his Penn State career.  In fact, over the past year, Oakman drew interest from schools such as LaSalle and St. Joseph’s for a basketball scholarship, and Penn State reportedly offered him a chance to play both sports in Happy Valley.

But on the football side of things, Oakman is coming off an impressive junior season:

Shawn Oakman finished his junior season with 136 tackles, 17 sacks and four fumbles caused. Offensively, he had 20 catches for four touchdowns. He says he can bench 275-pounds.

Oakman is excited to come to Penn State, and he picked the right school to accomplish his goals.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Oakman, who plans on wearing No. 91 at State College. “It came down to what I thought what college should be and also what college coach was going to push from being good to being great. I think Coach Johnson and Coach Vanderlinden can do that. That’s why I choose Penn State.”

It’s almost getting old to say that Larry Johnson is the best position coach in the country, but that’s the fact.  In the past few years alone, Oakman has seen players like Jared Odrick, Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans, Jay Alford, and Tamba Hali go from Penn State to the NFL and those represent just a fraction of those LJ has coached to greatness.  Hopefully Oakman’s 91 will be reminiscent of the one who preceded him at that number.

Related Posts:

1. When it Rains it Pours (but in a good way): Dominique Easley Commits to Penn State
2. Nation Top Fullback Zach Zwinak Commits to Penn State
3. Basketball: 2, Football: Still 0. Jonathan Graham Commits to Penn State