ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- After a two-year absence, Penn State is back in the bowl picture thanks to Larry Johnson.

The 10th-ranked Nittany Lions make their 31st bowl appearance in 37 years under Joe Paterno when they take on No. 22 Auburn Wednesday in the Capital One Bowl.

Penn State (9-3) entered 2002 having endured consecutive losing seasons under the 75-year-old Paterno for the first time.

But Paterno silenced the critics and got the program back on track. Led by the spectacular running of Heisman Trophy finalist Johnson, the Nittany Lions closed the season with four straight victories and have a chance to reach 10 wins for the 19th time under the legendary coach.

Johnson became just the ninth player in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season and set a record by averaging nine yards per carry. Johnson led the nation in rushing, averaging 167.9 yards per game.