11/26- Nittany Nation Notebook
By: Phil Schoener
Updated: November 26, 2012
Penn State vs. Wisconsin, Nov. 24, 2012 - POST-GAME NOTES
TEAM
The squad elected captains this past week, which were announced on Saturday: OFFENSE: QB Matt McGloin and RB Michael Zordich; DEFENSE: LB Jordan Hill and LB Michael Mauti; SPECIAL TEAMS: LB Michael Yancich
Penn State won eight of its last 10 games to finish at 8-4 and 6-2 in the Big Ten in its first season under coach Bill O'Brien. The Nittany Lions two losses came to Big Ten division winners Ohio State and Nebraska.
Bill O'Brien's eight wins are a record by a first-year Penn State head coach in the 126 years of the program. Dick Harlow's 1915 team went 7-2 for the previous best mark.
Penn State won its third consecutive overtime game and is now 3-3 in overtime games. The Nittany Lions won their first overtime game at home and are now 1-2 at home in overtime. Penn State's last overtime game was a 28-27 victory at Minnesota in 2006.
Penn State finished the season outscoring its opponents 192-66 in the first half. The Nittany Lions out-scored their foes 97-20 in the first quarter, allowing only two first quarter touchdowns all season (both by Wisconsin).
Penn State scored an offensive touchdown in the first quarter vs. Wisconsin, marking the ninth game this season it did so.
After giving up 14 points and 127 yards on Wisconsin's opening two drives, Penn State allowed just seven points and 222 yards the final 11 drives, forcing eight straight punts and five three and outs (four on the Badgers first four drives of the second half) and gaining and interception.
Penn State forced its 22nd turnover of the year and did not have a turnover for the fifth game on the year to finish the season with a 22-13 turnover ratio (+9). Penn State had just 10 turnovers in its final 11 games. Penn State entered the game No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 21 nationally in turnover margin and was leading the Big Ten in forced turnovers having forced at least one in 10 of 12 games.
Zach Zwinak's 179 rushing yards on the day are the most Wisconsin has given up to an individual all season bettering the 107 gained by Nebraska's Taylor Martinez.
- LB Mike Hull and OG Ty Howle and both started for the first time, becoming the 18th and 19th first-time starters for the Nittany Lions this season.
OFFENSE
TB Zach Zwinak recorded a career high 179 yards rushing today, marking his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game and his fifth of the season. His previous best was 141 yards at Nebraska. He is the 13th player to post six or more 100-yard rushing games in the same season.
Zwinak finished the year with 1,000 yards rushing and six touchdowns in 10 games in which he recorded a carry (83.3 ypg) giving Penn State a 1,000-yard rusher for the eighth straight season. He is
