Dec. 14, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Three members of Penn State's nationally ranked defense have earned All-America recognition from a pair of media outlets.
Senior middle linebacker Dan Connor, sophomore defensive end Maurice Evans and junior outside linebacker Sean Lee were recognized for their efforts in helping the Penn State defense earn Top 10 national rankings in five categories: rushing (6th, 87.9 ypg), scoring (8th, 17.6 ppg) and total defense (9th, 396.5 ypg), as well as sacks (2nd, 45) and tackles for loss (10th, 96).
In addition, four Penn Staters were selected to The Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team: defensive end Aaron Maybin (Ellicott City, Md.), defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu (Staten Island, N.Y.), tailback Evan Royster (Fairfax, Va.) and guard Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville.
Connor was selected a first-team All-American by Collegefootballnews.com and a second-team All-American by The Sporting News. He previously was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press and Walter Camp Football Foundation, becoming Penn State's 14th two-time first team honoree. The Wallingford, Pa. native won the 2007 Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player and is Penn State's career tackle leader with 410. He leads the Big Ten with 136 tackles this season, good for No. 7 in the nation.
Evans and Lee were chosen third-team All-Americans by Collegefootballnews.com. A first team All-Big Ten selection, Evans was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award. The Brooklyn, N.Y. product is No. 5 in the nation in sacks (12.5) and No. 6 in tackles for losses (21.5) and also has forced three fumbles to go with his 48 tackles. Lee earned second team All-Big Ten honors after tying for third in the conference during the regular season with 124 tackles. The Pittsburgh product has recorded double figure tackles in nine of the last 10 games this year, topped by a career-high 17 at Illinois. He has 9.5 TFL, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
Coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions (8-4) will face Texas A&M (7-5) in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Nittany Lions' second Alamo Bowl appearance is Saturday, Dec. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET in The Alamodome in San Antonio. Penn State will be playing in its 34th bowl game under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in bowl appearances and wins (22-10-1 record). The contest will be Paterno's 500th game as Penn State head coach.
Penn State's remaining tickets for the Valero Alamo Bowl can be ordered via www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics. Fans also can purchase tickets by calling (814) 865-5555 or (800) 863-3336.