Watch PSU v Iowa 3:30 10/8 at the Parrot

(scroll down for game details)

For more Nittany Lion football and this week’s game visit http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/psu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/release/release_20111003aaa.pdf

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

Sunday, October 16, 2011 – Big Ten Golf Tournament- Deer Creek Golf Course, Deerfield Beach- 1pm Shotgun. The format will be “scramble” so everyone can play.  Wear your colors; bring your banners and anything that you’d like to add to the atmosphere. Golf is $45, including gratuities.  The BBQ chicken n’ ribs buffet, with all the trimmings, is $32, for a total of $77.  There will be raffles, 50/50 and prizes given out at dinner too. Please email to confirm, at illinoisalumni@yahoo.com  and then mail your names, handicaps and checks to: Illinois Alumni Club, 1201 SW 141 Ave. #104,   Pembroke Pines, FL 33027

Penn State hosts Iowa in its Big Ten home opener and the Hawkeyes’ conference opener. The Nittany Lions are in the Leaders Division and the Iowa is in the Legends Division. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 16-10 win at Indiana in the first Big Ten Leaders Division contest. Iowa was idle last Saturday.

SERIES: Iowa has won the last three meetings to take a 12-11 series advantage. The teams are in the midst of playing over six consecutive years and will meet Oct. 20, 2012 in Kinnick Stadium. The teams will not meet in 2013 and `14.

Joe Paterno is the dean of Big Ten coaches by six years over all his conference counterparts, with Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz second in longevity (started in 1999). The Nittany Lions began conference play in 1993. Paterno and Ferentz rank No. 1 and 6 nationally in longevity at their school among active FBS coaches.

Kirk Ferentz has an 92-61 record in his 13th year as coach of the Hawkeyes. He is 104-82 in his 16th year overall, having coached at Maine from 1990-92. Ferentz attended Pitttsburgh’s Upper St. Clair High School and is a 1978 graduate of Connecticut.

Kirk Ferentz’ wife’s (Mary) brother, Kevin Hart, was a linebacker who lettered for the Nittany Lions in 1976. Ferentz’ father-in-law, Gerry Hart, played football with Joe Paterno at Brooklyn Prep, and a nephew, quarterback Mike Hart, played for the Nittany Lions in the last decade.

Iowa travels to Happy Valley for its Big Ten opener on Saturday with a 3-1 record and coming off its bye week. The Hawkeyes have gained non-conference wins over Tennessee Tech (34-7), Pittsburgh (31-27), and Louisiana-Monroe (45-17). Its lone blemish on the season was a 44-41 three overtime loss to in-state rival Iowa State in week two. The Iowa offense, which is averaging 37.8 points per game, is directed by quarterback James Vandenberg. The junior is off to a fast start in his first season as the Hawkeyes’ starting signal caller, completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 1,095 yards with a 10-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio through the first four games. Senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt (25-413-4 TDs) is the Hawkeyes’ primary weapon in the passing game, but Vandenberg has also built a rapport with junior Keenan Davis (19-286-3 TDs) and redshirt freshman Kevonte Martin-Manley (14-181-3 TDs). Sophomore running back Markus Coker has shouldered most of the load in the Iowa ground game, running for 380 yards (4.4 avg.) and four touchdowns. A pair of sophomore linebackers have emerged as strong playmakers for the Iowa defense. James Morris leads the unit with 40 tackles and has one of the Hawkeyes’ four interceptions while Christian Kirksey has a team-high 24 solo tackles and has recorded one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Junior Micah Hyde (25 tackles, 2 INTs) and senior Shaun Prater (1 INT, 2 forced fumbles) headline the secondary. Seniors Thomas Nardo (24 tackles, 3 TFLs) and Mike Daniels (17 tackles, 2 sacks) anchor the defensive line. Senior punter Eric Guthrie averages 44.9 yards per kick with a long of 59 and has placed six of his 15 kicks inside the 20-yard line. Sophomore placekicker Mike Meyer has connected on 8 of 10 field goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards, and is 17-for-17 on PAT attempts.

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.