Still Life

A moment of levity: Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates celebrated with the Nittany Lion after commencement ceremonies, held May 5 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa.

Commencement across Penn State: Spring 2012

New graduates of Penn State's Eberly College of Science listened to the commencement address provided by United States Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during spring 2012 graduation ceremonies held May 5 at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Spring commencement 2012 under way

A Moroccan farmer taught Penn State students about the properties of vetiver grass, including its ability to clean wastewater. The grass could be used as part of a solution to water-quality problems being experienced in Assoul, Morocco, where students spent time recently.

Penn State, Moroccan students problem-solve together

Anjelica Fortunato, left, and Jeffrey Lu reviewed for their Anatomy 129 final exam on May 1 on the HUB-Robeson Center Lawn on Penn State's University Park campus. Penn State students are preparing for and taking final exams throughout the week as spring semester 2012 comes to a close.

Finals Week Spring Semester 2012

Denae Taylor, right, tried on some electrical-safety gear with the help of Joe Dinardo, Supervisor of Facilty Resources at Penn State, during Penn State's annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 26. Denae is the granddaughter of Penn State Outreach employee Betty Lose, and attends Bellefonte Middle School.

Children explore career options at University Park

Featured Video

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Updates:
Penn State Promise

Board of Trustees launches new website

Faculty Senate recaps 2011-12 activity for Board of Trustees

Frazier provides update on Special Investigations Task Force

Board of Trustees meeting to be streamed live

Penn State donates more than $2.6 million to abuse prevention efforts

Nittany Lions No. 11 in BCS standings

Monday, November 30, 2009
Credit: Penn State Sports Information

University Park, Pa. — Penn State has moved up to No. 11 in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings, announced Sunday by the National Football Foundation.

The Nittany Lions also rose No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches poll and No. 10 in the Associated Press poll.

The Nittany Lions are one of three Big Ten squads ranked in the top 11 of the BCS standings. Ohio State is No. 8 and Iowa is No. 9.

The final BCS standings will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 6 on Fox, along with all the bowl selections.

Penn State is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in five of the six primary defensive categories (Top 20 in all six) and leads the nation in Red Zone defense (65.4 pct., 17 of 26).

According to the latest NCAA statistics, the Nittany Lions are No. 4 nationally in scoring defense (11.8 ppg), No. 8 in total defense (277.0 ypg), No. 10 in rushing defense (93.9 ypg and No. 19 in pass defense (183.2 ypg). Penn State also is No. 7 in tackles for losses per game (99, 8.25 avg.) and No. 8 in sacks (35, 2.9 avg.).

Penn State leads the Big Ten in scoring defense, tackles for loss and sacks, is second in rushing and total defense and third in pass defense. A trio of Penn State's nine All-Big Ten selections - linebackers Navorro Bowman, Josh Hull and Sean Lee - rank among the conference's top seven tacklers.

Senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick was selected the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year and senior quarterback Daryll Clark was named first team all-conference for the second consecutive year.

Penn State has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last 15 games, the nation's third-longest streak. Seven Nittany Lion opponents have 100 rushing yards or less this season.

Coach Joe Paterno's squad concluded its regular season with the convincing 42-14 victory at Michigan State on Nov. 21, posting Paterno's Football Bowl Subdivision record 21st season with at least 10 victories.

The Nittany Lions are 50-13 (79.3) since the start of the 2005 season, the nation's No. 8 winning percentage over that span. Penn State is awaiting the destination and opponent for its 36th bowl game under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in post-season appearances and victories (23-11-1 record).