Tampa Bay Football History Network

2007 Outback Bowl

Seventeenth ranked Tennessee (9-3) and Penn State (8-4) would play before a sold-out crowd of 65,601 at a rainy Raymond James Stadium. The Nittany Lions were coached by 80 year old Joe Paterno, who would coach from the press box due to an injury sustained in a sideline incident earlier in the season. Penn State had won its two previous trips to the Outback Bowl and the Volunteers, coached by Phil Fulmer, had won their only other trip in 1993. The schools has spilt four previous meetings and were both shooting for the 25th bowl victory in school history. Penn State was 24-12-2 in bowl games, while Tennessee was 24-21.

Penn State's Anthony Morelli (14 of 25 for 197 yards) threw a TD pass to Andrew Quarless, which was answered by a 42 yard TD run by LaMarcus Coker. The game was 10-10 at the half, followed by a scoreless third quarter. Volunteers QB Erik Ainge (25 of 37 for 267 yards) had a streak of 136 attempts without an interception broken in the third quarter and running back Arain Foster lost two fumbles. One fumble was returned by cornerback Tony Davis 88 yards for the decisive score. Kevin Kelly added his second field goal of the game and the Nittany Lions won 20-10. PSU running back Tony Hunt garnered MVP honors with 158 rushing yards on a career high 31 carries. Joe Paterno won a record 22nd bowl game. Phil Fulmer commented, "I think we were our own worst enemies today."

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