La. Tech cancels game with PSU for next year
Louisiana Tech has chosen to cancel its September 16, 2006 football game with Penn State in Beaver Stadium due to scheduling conflicts within the new alignment of schools in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
"We understand their decision and they are certainly within their right," said Fran Ganter, Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration. "We have been working to fill the void, but obviously most everyone is already scheduled."
The Nittany Lions are scheduled to open the 2006 season on Sept. 2 vs. Akron and visit Notre Dame on Sept. 9 to begin a two-game series. In addition to the Irish in 2006-07, Penn State will be facing Syracuse in 2008-09 and Alabama in 2010-11 in upcoming intersectional contests.
DE Hali racks up awards for efforts vs. Badgers
Penn State defensive end Tamba Hali has earned his second and third national player of the week honors and has been selected the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's 35-14 win over No. 14 Wisconsin.
Hali, who was selected the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday, has been chosen National Player of the Week by The Sporting News and SportsIllustrated.com. The All-America candidate also was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, marking the sixth time this season a Nittany Lion has been honored by the conference.
Hali delivered the best game of his career against the Badgers, tying the school record with four sacks (minus-27 yards). Terry Killens also had four sacks, against Indiana in 1995. The Hendricks Award candidate led the Nittany Lions' defensive charge by recording a career-best five tackles for loss.
The former Teaneck High School standout tied his season-high with nine tackles overall, leading a superb defensive effort that led to nine sacks, the Lions' most since 1999. Wisconsin was limited to minus-11 yards rushing on 34 carries, the fifth lowest total allowed under coach Joe Paterno and the fewest since holding Purdue to minus-12 yards rushing in 1998. Wisconsin's previous low rushing yards this season was 63 yards against Purdue. The Badgers were averaging 186.9 ypg rushing entering the game.
Michigan State tickets available to students
A limited number of tickets for Penn State's regular season finale at Michigan State are available for Penn State students. With a victory against the Spartans, the Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1) would clinch no worse than a tie for the Big Ten Championship.
The Nittany Lions meet the Spartans in East Lansing on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. on ESPN. The Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics, also will carry the action. Michigan State leads the series, 11-10-1, but Penn State won last year (37-13) and has won nine of the 12 meetings since starting Big Ten play in 1993. The winner claims the Land Grant Trophy.
The ticket office in the Bryce Jordan Center is open weekdays from 8:30-4:30 p.m. Phone orders will not be accepted for the Michigan State game.
Tickets for the contest with the Spartans are $46. There is no limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased, but a valid student ID is required.
