About Me
BlingJam Page Editor..21 Alan Zemaitis
Senior/Senior - Cornerback
Height: 6-2
Weight: 201 lbs.
Hometown: Rochester, New York
High School: CentralWhen you have the kind of breakout season at cornerback that Alan Zemaitis had as a sophomore, it tends to grab people's attention and make opposing coaches loathe to throw in your direction. Zemaitis did not see as many balls thrown his way last season and thus his numbers were down from 2003, but his influence on a game and strategy-altering ability was recognized by both the coaches and media with his secondstraight selection as a second-team All-Big Ten performer. A Jim Thorpe, Bednarik and Nagurski awards and probable All-America candidate, Zemaitis is a smooth and highlyskilled athlete who brings 130 career tackles and six interceptions into his fifth-year senior campaign. Following spring practice, he was elected a tri-captain, joining Michael Robinson and Paul Posluszny as the primary leaders for this season. He played a substantial role in Penn State ranking in the top 10 in total, scoring and pass defense and emerging as the nation's only team to not allow more than 21 points in a game during the 2004 season. The Nittany Lions were No. 6 in pass defense and permitted only five touchdown passes all season, the fewest of any team in the nation. Again displaying strong cover skills and open-field tackling, Zemaitis made 47 hits (35 solo), with one tackle for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups as he solidified his place among the top cover-corners in the nation. A prep all-state selection in New York, his contributions and role he plays for the Nittany Lions' nationally-ranked defense has not gone unnoticed entering the season. Zemaitis was selected a third-team Street & Smith's preseason All-American and rated the nation's No. 5 cornerback by The Sporting News. He also earned first-team preseason All-Big Ten accolades by The Sporting News, Athlon and Lindy's. The instinctive and hard working corner again will be the leader of a very productive secondary that likely will feature four senior starters. The unit has been named the nation's No. 4 secondary by Lindy's and the No. 6 secondary by The Sporting News entering the season. But, Zemaitis knows he and his teammates will have to work harder than ever to approach the lofty status bestowed on them and he has provided direction and encouragement to the squad since the end of last season. He brings good size, speed and a passion to excel to the field. Zemaitis broke Penn State and Big Ten records in 2003 with his 207 interception return yards on four picks and led the conference with 18 pass breakups. He owns the third-longest interception return in school history, and the longest not to go for a touchdown, with his 90-yard interception return against Purdue in 2003, and also had a 78-yard interception return for a TD that season. He entered the season after suffering a concussion and fractured frontal sinus in a January 2003 automobile accident. He spent a few days at home after the accident and slowly worked his way back into off-season conditioning and spring practice under the watchful eye of the Lions' medical staff. Zemaitis still bears the scars of the serious accident and has displayed a rare maturity and renewed emphasis on his family, which includes five younger brothers, since that time. He is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in journalism.2004 Senior SeasonZemaitis continued to improve and provide leadership for the defense, starting all 11 games at left cornerback. He was a critical factor in Penn State ranking in the top 10 in total, scoring and pass defense and emerging as the nation's only team to not allow more than 21 points in a game all season. Penn State allowed only five touchdown passes for the season. Zemaitis made 47 tackles (35 solo), with one tackle for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups as he solidified his place among the top cover-corners in the nation. He made three solo tackles, had a pass breakup and grabbed an interception inside the Lions' 10-yard line in the win at Indiana. He helped the Lions stop the Hoosiers on first-and-goal from the one-yard line in the final two minutes to preserve the victory. Zemaitis made nine tackles (eight solo) in the season-opening win over Akron and had seven-tackle outings at Boston College and against Northwestern. He made his first interception of the season and also had two pass breakups at Wisconsin. Seemingly never tiring and always on the field, he was second on the team for the second- straight year by playing 832 snaps, with six games above 80 plays.2003 Junior SeasonA serious automobile accident the winter prior to the 2003 season could have put Zemaitis' sophomore campaign in jeopardy, but he responded with a breakout year that placed him among the top defensive backs in the Big Ten. He earned second-team All- Big Ten honors from the media and honorable-mention from the coaches. Zemaitis led the Big Ten and ranked among the leaders in the nation with 18 passes defended and was tied for fourth in the conference with four interceptions, breaking the Penn State and Big Ten season records with 207 interception return yards. His 71 tackles ranked fourth on the team and he tied for third with 49 solo stops. Zemaitis posted five tackles and four pass breakups in the season-opening win over Temple. He followed with seven tackles, two pass breakups and the first pass interception of his career against Boston College. In a tight loss at Nebraska, Zemaitis made a career-high tying 12 tackles. He recorded his second interception and equaled a season-high with four pass breakups to go with three tackles in a 32-10 victory over Kent State. Against Wisconsin, Zemaitis had three pass breakups and made six tackles. He followed by intercepting his third pass of the season on the Penn State four-yard line and returning it 90 yards to set up a second-quarter touchdown at Purdue. It was the third-longest interception return in school history and the longest not to go for a score. The play marked the longest interception return for the Lions since Mark Robinson returned one 91 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh in 1981. Zemaitis also added seven solo tackles and his first tackle for loss on the season (minus-five yards) against the Boilermakers. Zemaitis had another big game at Iowa, tying for the team lead with 11 tackles (10 solo), breaking up one pass and forcing a third-quarter fumble, the first of his career, which set up a touchdown. He kept the outstanding play going against Ohio State as he gave Penn State a 14-7 second-quarter lead when he picked off a Craig Krenzel pass and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown to electrify Beaver Stadium. It was the first touchdown of his career. He also made five tackles in the heart-breaking 21-20 loss. Against Indiana, he played terrific pass coverage, chalking up three tackles and breaking up three passes in helping hold Indiana to just 126 yards passing on 28 attempts. Zemaitis recorded six tackles and two pass breakups in the season-finale at Michigan State. He was on the field for 894 snaps, second-highest among all players and most among 2004 returnees.2002 Sophomore SeasonZemaitis saw action in every game on special teams and as the top reserve to senior cornerback Bryan Scott. He recorded 12 tackles (nine solo), including a tackle for a four-yard loss against Louisiana Tech, a game in which he made his first start. Zemaitis made three solo stops against the Bulldogs, including two consecutive fourth-quarter tackles on second and third down, forcing a punt. He also made two hits each against Nebraska, Indiana and Michigan State and in the Capital One Bowl against Auburn. Zemaitis was on the field for 105 plays on defense and special teams.2001 Freshman SeasonRedshirt season.High SchoolZemaitis was an accomplished three-sport athlete at Spencerport Central HS, earning eight letters in his career. He was a standout on both sides of the ball and special teams as a four-time letterman for Coach Anthony Lipani's football squad. He distinguished himself as the first freshman to play on the varsity at Central and also as the school's first Division I-A player. On defense, he recorded 132 career tackles and three interceptions. As a running back, Zemaitis had 206 career carries for 1,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. On special teams, he had 10 kickoff returns for 340 yards and four touchdowns. In one game his senior year, he recorded 18 tackles. He earned all-county and all-state honors, was a team captain and MVP. Zemaitis also was selected a member of New York's Golden 50 and the All-Greater Rochester Super 22 team. He served as the defensive captain for the New York squad in the Governor's Bowl, which pits the top talent from the Empire State against their counterparts in New Jersey. He also was proficient in the classroom, earning recognition as a Black Scholar-Athlete.PersonalFull name is Alan Keith Zemaitis. He has five younger brothers: Bryan, Christian, Deon, Alex James and Eric. Zemaitis enjoys cars and movies. He is a journalism major and is on schedule to graduate in December. Born August 24, 1982 in Rochester, N.Y.ZEMAITIS' CAREER STATISTICSSEASON TK SOLO AS FR FC I SACK TFL
2002 12 9 3 0 0 0 0-0 1-4
2003 71 49 22 0 1 4 0-0 1-5
2004 47 35 12 0 0 2 0-0 1-3
Career 130 93 37 0 1 6 0-0 3-12Zemaitis' 2004 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Akron 9-8-1; Boston College 7-4-3; UCF 6-5-1;
Wisconsin 0-0-0; Minnesota 3-3-0;
Purdue 4-3-1; Iowa 4-1-3; Ohio State 1-1-0;
Northwestern 7-5-2; Indiana 3-3-0;
Michigan State 3-2-1.Zemaitis' 2003 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Temple 5-3-2; Boston College 7-3-4; Nebraska 12-5-7;
Kent State 3-3-0; Minnesota 2-
2-0; Wisconsin 6-4-2; Purdue 7-7-0; Iowa 11-10-1;
Ohio State 5-3-2; Northwestern 4-3-
1; Indiana 3-1-2; Michigan State 6-5-1.
