The 2006 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Joe Paterno. It played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Preseason
The team had key losses due to graduation, including Michael Robinson, Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis, Anwar Phillips, Calvin Lowry, and Ethan Kilmer. Paul Posluszny and offensive tackle Levi Brown decided to return to the team for the 2006 season, despite speculation both players would enter the NFL Draft. Posluszny and star receiver Derrick Williams returned from injuries that caused them to miss time in 2005.
Paul Posluszny and Levi Brown were elected co-captains of the football team for 2006. Posluszny becomes the team's first two-time captain since 1969. Posluszny was also named the 2006 Big Ten and consensus national pre-season Defensive Player of the Year.
Penn State was ranked No. 19 in both the AP and Coaches college football preseason polls.
Recruiting class
Schedule
Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Indiana and Iowa this year.
Personnel
Roster
Coaching staff
Joe Paterno – Head Coach
Dick Anderson – Offensive Line (Guards and Centers) Tom Bradley – Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks Galen Hall – Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Larry Johnson, Sr. – Defensive Line Bill Kenney – Offensive Tackles and Tight Ends Mike McQueary – Wide Receivers and Recruiting Coordinator Brian Norwood – Safeties Jay Paterno – Quarterbacks Ron Vanderlinden – Linebackers John Thomas – Strength and Conditioning
Game summaries
September 2: Akron
Penn State played the Akron Zips in its home opener. Akron was unranked, however the team finished as the 2005 MAC Champions. Anthony Morelli threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first pass attempt of his first start. Penn State won the game 34–16. Akron kept it respectably close for a while before Penn State pulled away with a commanding 34–9 lead, allowing a late Zips touchdown to once again make it look respectable.
September 9: Notre Dame
Penn State played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana. After a close first quarter, Notre Dame pulled away from the young Penn State squad to win 41–17.
September 16: Youngstown State
Penn State defeated the Youngstown State Penguins by a score of 37–3 on September 16, 2006 at Beaver Stadium.
The Youngstown State Penguins were the 150th different team to face Penn State since 1887, the first year for Penn State football.