Jan. 1, 2007

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Penn State Nittany Lions defense will be facing a Tennessee offense that features the SEC's second-best passing attack. Receiver Robert Meachem has turned in possibly the best season in school history with a school-record 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns as he became the first Tennessee receiver to earn All-America status since Carl Pickens in 1991.

Meachem has been the primary target of quarterback Erik Ainge, who enjoyed a solid season by completing nearly 67 percent of his passes and throwing for 19 touchdowns.

"They're not that very far away from Michigan and Ohio State," said Penn State coach Joe Paterno about Tennessee. "The offense is more like Ohio State in that they do so many things well. Defensively, they remind me of both of those teams ... the variety, the changes of pace they give you."

Meachem and Ainge are both juniors who could be contemplating a move to the NFL, although Ainge has indicated he will return for his senior season.

Whether Ainge comes back could depend on whether offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is back at Tennessee. The former Mississippi coach has one year left on his contract and has indicated he will explore opportunities to be a head coach.

Penn State is making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since 1998-99. The Nittany Lions beat Florida State 26-23 in last season's Orange Bowl.

"This team has worked hard all season and has been a great group to work with," Paterno said. "I'm happy for the squad that their efforts will be rewarded with an opportunity to go to Tampa."

The trip to Tampa is a welcome one for Tennessee after it failed to reach the postseason for the first tine under Fulmer after going 5-6 last season. The Vols are 7-6 in bowl games under Fulmer, including a victory over Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl that capped a 13-0 season.

The teams have split four meetings and have not met since Penn State won 31-13 in the 1994 Citrus Bowl.

Paterno expects to be in a familiar place when he makes his record 33rd bowl appearance - on the sideline.

The legendary Penn State coach has indicated his recovery from a broken leg won't keep him away from his duties leading the Nittany Lions against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Fla.

The 80-year-old Paterno has not been on the sideline since two players rolled into him during a 13-3 loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 4. He skipped his team's next game against Temple but returned to the press box the following week for the Nittany Lions' 17-13 win over Michigan State in the regular-season finale on Nov. 18.

That's not the view Paterno prefers.

"It's not like being on the sidelines," said Paterno, who turned 80 on Dec. 21. "It never will be."

The feisty coach fractured the shinbone and tore two knee ligaments in his left leg. He's undergoing rehab while his leg heals.

"And I'm way ahead of that. I go out there, I have as much flexibility in my left leg as my right leg. I'm getting closer all the time," Paterno said.

Paterno's contract expires at the end of the 2008 season. He's 362-121-3 in his 41st season.

The coach has won 21 bowl games in his illustrious career, including a 15-6 mark on New Year's Day.

"We're honored to be playing a team like Penn State and coach Paterno," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Like so many coaches, I've looked up to him for years. He's always had well-prepared, tough and athletic football teams and I'm sure this one is no different."

Paterno's team this year features a defense that has shown vast improvement. The Nittany Lions have allowed just two touchdowns in their last five games, winning four.

The defense is anchored by senior linebacker Paul Posluszny and sophomore safety Anthony Scirrotto, who were both first team All-Big Ten selections.

Posluszny enters his final collegiate game as Penn State's career leader in tackles with 364, having won Bednarik awards each of the last two seasons.

Penn State's offense has not been as proficient a unit. The Nittany Lions did not have a single back or receiver named All-Big Ten, and quarterback Anthony Morelli had 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Tennessee Bowl History

Record: 24-21

Jan. 1, 2005 Cotton Bowl-Tennessee 38, Texas A&M 7

Jan. 2, 2004 Peach Bowl-Clemson 27, Tennessee 14

Dec. 31, 2002 Peach Bowl-Maryland 30, Tennessee 3

Jan. 1, 2002 Citrus Bowl-Tennessee 45, Michigan 17

Jan. 1, 2001 Cotton Bowl-Kansas St. 35, Tennessee 21

Jan. 2, 2000 Fiesta Bowl-Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21

Jan. 4, 1999 Fiesta Bowl-Tennessee 23, Florida St. 16

Jan. 2, 1998 Orange Bowl-Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17

Jan. 1, 1997 Citrus Bowl-Tennessee 48, Northwestern 28

Jan. 1, 1996 Citrus Bowl-Tennessee 20, Ohio St. 14

Dec. 30, 1994 Gator Bowl-Tennessee 45, Virginia Tech 23

Jan. 1, 1994 Citrus Bowl-Penn St. 31, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl-Tennessee 38, Boston College 23

Jan. 1, 1992 Fiesta Bowl-Penn St. 42, Tennessee 17

Jan. 1, 1991 Sugar Bowl-Tennessee 23, Virginia 22

Jan. 1, 1990 Cotton Bowl-Tennessee 31, Arkansas 27

Jan. 2, 1988 Peach Bowl-Tennessee 27, Indiana 22

Dec. 29, 1986 Liberty Bowl-Tennessee 21, Minnesota 14

Jan. 1, 1986 Sugar Bowl-Tennessee 35, Miami 7

Dec. 24, 1984 Sun Bowl-Maryland 28, Tennessee 27

Dec. 17, 1983 Citrus Bowl-Tennessee 30, Maryland 23

Dec. 31, 1982 Peach Bowl-Iowa 28, Tennessee 22

Dec. 13, 1981 Garden State Bowl-Tennessee 28, Wisconsin 21

Dec. 31, 1979 Bluebonnet Bowl-Purdue 27, Tennessee 22

Dec. 16, 1974 Liberty Bowl-Tennessee 7, Maryland 3

Dec. 29, 1973 Gator Bowl-Texas Tech 28, Tennessee 19

Dec. 30, 1972 Bluebonnet Bowl-Tennessee 24, LSU 17

Dec. 20, 1971 Liberty Bowl-Arkansas 14, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1971 Sugar Bowl-Tennessee 34, Air Force 13

Dec. 27, 1969 Gator Bowl-Florida 14, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1969 Cotton Bowl-Texas 36, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1968 Orange Bowl-Oklahoma 26, Tennessee 24

Dec. 31, 1966 Gator Bowl-Tennessee 18, Syracuse 12

Dec. 18, 1965 Bluebonnet Bowl-Tennessee 27, Tulsa 6

Dec. 28, 1957 Gator Bowl-Tennessee 3, Texas A&M 0

Jan. 1, 1957 Sugar Bowl-Baylor 13, Tennessee 7

Jan. 1, 1953 Cotton Bowl-Texas 16, Tennessee 0

Jan. 1, 1952 Sugar Bowl-Maryland 28, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1951 Cotton Bowl-Tennessee 20, Texas 14

Jan. 1, 1947 Orange Bowl-Rice 8, Tennessee 0

Jan. 1, 1945 Rose Bowl-Southern Cal 25, Tennessee 0

Jan. 1, 1943 Sugar Bowl-Tennessee 14, Tulsa 7

Jan. 1, 1941 Sugar Bowl-Boston College 19, Tennessee 13

Jan. 1, 1940 Rose Bowl-Southern Cal 14, Tennessee 0

Jan. 2, 1939 Orange Bowl-Tennessee 17, Oklahoma 0