Penn State Football: 9 Greatest Moments of 2011

The Penn State Nittany Lions lost in Week 13 to Wisconsin to finish the regular season 9-3.

Despite losing two of their final three contests, the Nittany Lions overachieved all season. No true quarterback, an injury to their best defensive player and incredible controversy facing the university are all tough factors to overcome.

There are many great moments and highlights from this season. It could be argued that the season was one great moment. Unexplainable, but great nonetheless.

Here are the nine best moments from the 2011 Penn State season:

Devon Still Named as Bednarik Finalist

Devon Still finally realized his potential in 2011. Still was the unquestioned leader of the daunting Penn State defense, especially after the loss of Michael Mauti.

Still finished the season with 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. Still's ability to get in the backfield was a consistent disruption to offensive production all season long.

The Bednarik Award goes to the best defensive player in college football. Still is a finalist along with Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower and LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.

Considering the pedigree of Alabama and LSU, Still should be very happy to be considered alongside these two superstars.

Still's development was as vital as anything to Penn State's 2011 success.

Chaz Powell Opens the Season with a Bang

Chaz Powell returned the opening kickoff in Week 1 for a 95-yard touchdown.

Granted, this was against Indiana State. It electrified the Beaver Stadium crowd nonetheless.

Powell has always been a dynamic presence. Whether it be on special teams, receiver or cornerback, Powell has always done his job well.

Returning the opening kickoff of the season put a good taste in fans' mouths from the get-go.

Penn State's vanilla offense doesn't create a lot of big plays. Penn State fans appreciate big plays in any way, shape or form. It doesn't matter if it's against Indiana State or Alabama.

Redd October

Silas Redd accumulated 703 yards and three touchdowns in the month of October.

Redd cleared the 100-yard mark in each of Penn State's five October matchups. These performances cemented him as one of the top backs in the Big Ten and a back to watch across the country.

He had a very good season overall for the Nittany Lions. Considering he is a true sophomore, Redd exceeded expectations. It was his first year as a starter and he didn't have much offensive support.

Redd's October is very encouraging as the Nittany Lions gear up for next season.

Stephfon Green's Highlight Senior Day Performance

Stephfon Green was in, and out, of the doghouse all season. He didn't get any carries in six of Penn State's 12 games.

However, Green did have a highlight performance on Senior Day. He racked up 71 yards and two touchdowns in Penn State's loss to Nebraska.

Green has always been a dynamic presence in the Nittany Lion backfield. He has outstanding straight-ahead speed but has questionable ball security.

It was nice to see Green find his way on an important day in Beaver Stadium. Not only was it Senior Day, but it was Penn State's first game without head coach Joe Paterno.

Sacking Gerardi

Penn State managed to sack Temple quarterback Mike Gerardi before he could lead the Owls to victory against the Nittany Lions.

In the fourth quarter, Penn State led Temple 14-10, with the Owl's driving on Penn State's 34-yard line. Without Penn State's sack, they might not have defeated the Owls for the 29th straight time.

Penn State should have beaten Temple much worse than they did, but a win is a win.

Without the sack of Gerardi, Penn State could have lost this game and severely altered the course of their unlikely season.

Introducing the Wildcat

The Penn State Nittany Lions used the Wildcat formation to infuse some energy into their abysmal offense against Ohio State.

It worked to the tune of 100-plus yards on 11 carries.

Curtis Drake, Stephfon Green and Bill Belton combined to form a dangerous trio in the Nittany Lion backfield.

Penn State may not have a quarterback, but they do have athletes on offense. Using Belton, Drake and Green in this way was an excellent idea.

The Nittany Lions have to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers. If their quarterback can't do it, find another way.

Matt McGloin Given the Reins

Matt McGloin was handed the full-time quarterback job against Illinois. The Nittany Lions finally realized the two-quarterback system does not work.

This was a huge step for Penn State. Using two mediocre signal-callers made a mockery of an otherwise sufficient offense.

McGloin may not be great. As a matter of fact, he isn't. However, two quarterbacks is always worse than one. It's not a position meant to be shared.

Giving McGloin the reins allowed the offense to be more cohesive and form some sort of chemistry.

Outside of Wisconsin in Week 13, the Penn State offense looked slightly better with McGloin as the sole quarterback in Happy Valley.

Moment of Silence

Penn State's most heart-warming moment didn't involve football at all.

With the campus bogged down in controversy surrounding former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky's sexual abuse allegations, the Nittany Lions still had a football game to play against Nebraska.

It was the perfect storm. Controversy, Senior Day and no Joe Paterno for the first time in what might as well have been forever.

Before the game, Nebraska and Penn State met at midfield for a moment of silence to honor the victims of Sandusky's alleged abuse.

From someone in attendance that day, it was a wonderful moment. There are things more important than football, and it needed to be recognized in Beaver Stadium that day.

Two teams came together as one group of people for a human moment in the sports world.

That's not something you get to see everyday.

Joe Paterno Passes Eddie Robinson

Joe Paterno passed Eddie Robinson for the most wins in Division I history with their victory over Illinois.

Paterno's 409th victory was ugly, but the overall accomplishment is the greatest moment from the Penn State season.

He was a legend before this record fell, but this further adds to Paterno's sterling coaching legacy.

Grabbing the win at home adds to the emotion involved. Moving the Nittany Lions to 8-1 with the victory makes the victory that much more important.

Paterno is arguably the greatest coach in college football history. His legacy is truly undeniable after this milestone victory over the Fighting Illini.