Penn State vs Eastern Michigan – noon Saturday at the Parrot!!

PENN STATE (2-1; 0-0 Big Ten) vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN (2-1; 0-0 MAC)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 2011 @ 12:01 P.M. (ET)

Come join us each Saturday at the WORLD FAMOUS PARROT LOUNGE, 911 Sunset Lane, Fort Lauderdale, FL (1 block west of A1A, ½ block south of Sunrise Blvd) to watch your Nittany Lions football team.  This is South Florida’s Penn State meeting place. Please support this golf tournament sponsor.

Penn State plays its final non-conference game of the regular season, hosting Eastern Michigan in the second meeting between the schools. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Nittany Lion jersey to the contest with the Eagles. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 14-10 win at Temple, as the defense forced three turnovers and limited the Owls to 197 yards, 248 below their average entering the game. Eastern Michigan suffered its first loss, a 31-3 decision at neighboring Michigan. Penn State has a 60-20 (75.0) record since the start of the 2005 season, tied with Oregon for the the nation’s 11th-best winning percentage over the past seven seasons.

SERIES: The Nittany Lions and Eagles are meeting for just the second time. Penn State won 52-7 in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 19, 1992, the year before the Nittany Lions began Big Ten Conference play.

Ron English is in his third season as head coach at Eastern Michigan. He led the Eagles to the program’s first 2-0 start since 1989 before falling at Michigan last Saturday. English coached defensive backs at Michigan from 2003-07, facing the Nittany Lions his last three years. He was an assistant coach at Louisville in 2008 before being selected as Eastern’s head coach. English is a 1990 graduate of the University of California.

Eastern Michigan visits Happy Valley on Saturday for just the second time in program history and will face its second consecutive Big Ten opponent. After starting the season 2-0 for first time since 1989, the Eagles fell to neighboring Michigan last week, 31-3, in Ann Arbor. Eastern Michigan jumped out to a 3-0 second quarter lead versus Michigan, but the Wolverines scored 31 unanswered points to hand the Eagles their first loss of the season. Michigan tallied 376 rushing yards, including 202 by quarterback Denard Robinson. The Eagles’ offense countered by running for 202 yards but had two turnovers and the passing game gained 29 yards. The Eastern Michigan rushing attack features a highly productive tandem of Javonti Greene and Dominique Sherrer. The Eagles are averaging 289.7 ypg on the ground, good for No. 6 in the nation, gaining 6.4 yards per attempt. Greene leads the team in attempts (57) and yards (346), averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Sherrer leads the Eagles in yards per rush (7.7) and touchdowns (2), gaining 231 yards on his 30 attempts. Junior Alex Gillett provides Eastern Michigan with a dual threat from the quarterback position. Gillett, who ranks sixth all-time in school in history in total yards, has completed 22-of-45 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions and has rushed for 211 yards, which ranks third on the team. Sophomore wide receiver Nick Olds leads the Eagles in receptions (5) and receiving yards (69) and has a touchdown catch. Trey Hunter has four catches for 27 yards and Garrett Hoskins has three catches for 44 yards and a score. Linebackers Justin Cudworth and Marcus English are Eastern Michigan’s top tacklers, totaling 28 and 21, respectively, and have combined for eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Defensive end Brad Ohrman ranks first on the team with 2.5 sacks and is second with 4.0 TFL for minus-24 yards. Strong safety Willie Williams (18 tackles) and cornerback Marlon Pollard (1 INT), a transfer from UCLA, lead the EMU secondary. Junior punter Jay Karutz averages 38.7 yards per kick and has placed nine of his 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. Sophomore kicker Kody Fulkerson has connected on 3-of-5 field goals with a long of 45 yards.

For more on NIttany Lion Football visit http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/psu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/release/release.pdf

The parking lot directly north of the Parrot is no longer available. If you are unable to find a meter spot in the immediate area the following are suggested alternatives:

1.      Residents of Fort Lauderdale can get a pass to park on A1A north of Sunrise Blvd for $6.00 per year. Go to www.fortlauderdale.gov/parking for the details. If you don’t qualify for a resident pass you can still park in this area till 3 a.m. at the regular hourly rate.

2.      Parking is available at the B Ocean Hotel directly across from The Parrot for $10.00. Valet only. Enter off Sunrise Blvd into the front of the hotel.

3.      Parking is available at Birch State Park for $6.00 all day, from 8 a.m. til Dusk. It is a very short walk. Gates close promptly so don’t be late.

4.      Parking at the Gallery 1 on the West Side of the Sunrise Bridge is $13.00 valet only (plenty of available spots) and walk across the bridge. It only takes a few minutes

5.      Park at the Galleria Mall and walk across the bridge. It only takes a few minutes.