2007 Alamo Bowl

2007 Alamo Bowl
Year	2007
Date	December 29, 2007
Stadium	Alamodome
City	San Antonio, Texas
Visitor school	Penn State Nittany Lions
Visitor conference	Big Ten Conference
Visitor coach	Joe Paterno
Visitor record	8–4
Home school	Texas A&M Aggies
Home conference	Big 12 Conference
Home coach	Gary Darnell (interim)
Home record	7–5
Visitor 2	14
Visitor 4	10
Attendance	66,166
Mvp	Rodney Kinlaw (RB, Penn State)
Us network	ESPN
Us announcers	Mike Patrick, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe

2007 Alamo Bowl was a postseason college football game that featured the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference and the Texas A&M Aggies of the Big 12 Conference. Played on December 29, 2007, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the contest was a tightly fought defensive struggle for three quarters before the Nittany Lions pulled away in the final period. The victory gave legendary coach Joe Paterno his 23rd bowl win, while the Aggies played under interim leader Gary Darnell following the departure of Dennis Franchione.

Game Summary

The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither the Penn State Nittany Lions nor the Texas A&M Aggies able to generate significant offense. The scoring opened in the second quarter when Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli connected with Jordan Norwood on a 30-yard touchdown pass. The Aggies responded with a scoring drive capped by a Stephen McGee touchdown run, but the Nittany Lions answered just before halftime with a Rodney Kinlaw touchdown to lead 14-7. In the third quarter, Texas A&M tied the game on a touchdown pass from Stephen McGee to Earvin Taylor. The final quarter belonged entirely to Penn State, as a Kevin Kelly field goal and a clinching touchdown run by Evan Royster secured a 24-17 victory for the Big Ten Conference representative.

Teams and Coaches

The Penn State Nittany Lions, led by iconic head coach Joe Paterno, entered the game with an 8–4 record, finishing fourth in the Big Ten Conference. Key players included senior quarterback Anthony Morelli, running back Rodney Kinlaw, and a defense anchored by Dan Connor and Sean Lee. The Texas A&M Aggies arrived with a 7–5 mark under interim coach Gary Darnell, who took over after the regular-season resignation of Dennis Franchione. The Aggies were led on offense by quarterback Stephen McGee and featured defensive standouts like Mark Dodge. The impending hiring of Mike Sherman as the new head coach at Texas A&M University cast a shadow over the proceedings.

Pre-Game Context

The matchup was set amid significant coaching turmoil for the Texas A&M Aggies, as Dennis Franchione had resigned under pressure following a regular season that included a loss to rival Texas. Interim coach Gary Darnell was tasked with preparing the team while athletic director Bill Byrne finalized a deal with Mike Sherman. For the Penn State Nittany Lions, the game represented an opportunity to secure a winning season and send its senior class, including Dan Connor and Anthony Morelli, out with a victory. The game also marked the final broadcast for longtime ESPN announcer Mike Patrick with analyst Todd Blackledge.

Key Performances

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Rodney Kinlaw was named the game's Most Valuable Player, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Quarterback Anthony Morelli managed the game effectively, throwing for 164 yards and a score without an interception. For the Texas A&M Aggies, quarterback Stephen McGee was a dual threat, passing for 164 yards and a touchdown while also leading the team in rushing. The Penn State Nittany Lions defense, led by Butkus Award finalist Dan Connor and Sean Lee, was instrumental in stifling the Aggies' attack in the decisive fourth quarter.

Post-Game Impact

The victory gave Joe Paterno a record of 9-1 in his last ten bowl games and provided momentum for Penn State heading into the 2008 season. For Texas A&M, the loss concluded a turbulent period, and Mike Sherman officially began his tenure as head coach shortly thereafter. The game's competitive nature and dramatic finish were seen as a success for the Alamo Bowl and the city of San Antonio. The performance of Rodney Kinlaw solidified his legacy at Penn State University, while the Texas A&M Aggies began a new chapter under Mike Sherman.

Records and Statistics

The Penn State Nittany Lions outgained the Texas A&M Aggies in total yards, 270 to 241, with a significant advantage coming on the ground. Penn State's defense held the Aggies to just 77 rushing yards. The game attendance of 66,166 was one of the largest in the history of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. With the win, Joe Paterno improved his all-time bowl record to 23-11-1, further extending his NCAA record for bowl victories by a head coach. The contest was the final meeting between the two historic programs, with Penn State holding a 3–2 edge in the all-time series.

Category:Alamo Bowl Category:2007 in American football Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football bowl games Category:Texas A&M Aggies football bowl games