Oct. 26, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The huge forced fumble by Penn State safety Mark Rubin (Amherst N.Y.) in the Nittany Lions' 13-6 win over No. 10 Ohio State on Saturday is among the nominees for this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance.
In addition, Rubin was selected the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. the Buckeyes. He made a career-high 11 tackles (nine solo) and led a defensive effort that limited Ohio State to its lowest point total in Ohio Stadium since a 6-0 loss to Wisconsin in 1982 Penn State held OSU to 61 rushing yards on 31 carries, 121 yards below its season average. OSU's Chris Wells entered the game averaging 123.8 ypg (10th in nation), but was held to 55 yards on 22 carries.
With the Buckeyes leading, 6-3, in the fourth quarter, Rubin hit Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor and knocked the ball loose. Senior linebacker Tyrell Sales (Butler) shielded the ball from OSU's Chris Wells and knocked it backwards, where sophomore linebacker Navorro Bowman (District Heights, Ohio) recovered at the OSU 38. Quarterback Pat Devlin (Downingtown) and tailback Evan Royster (Fairfax, Va.) led the Nittany Lions downfield, with Devlin scoring on a one-yard run with 6:25 to play for a 10-6 Penn State lead.
After taking the lead, the Nittany Lions forced a punt and Kevin Kelly (Langhorne) connected on a 35-yard field goal for a 13-6 lead. In the final minute, senior cornerback Lydell Sargeant (Lompoc, Calif.) grabbed his team-high third interception in the end zone and the Lions ran out the clock, improving to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten.
Rubin's sack is one of four plays nominated for this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance. Fans can cast their vote for the play until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday at: www.pontiac.com/ncaa
The winner of this week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance will be announced on ESPN during its Thursday night college football coverage. The winning school will receive $5,000 for the institution's general scholarship fund. The winning play also will be nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year and the chance to win a $100,000 general scholarship contribution from Pontiac.
In addition, all fans that vote for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance are eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship for themselves or a family member. One winner is selected each week during the college football season.
Last week, Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick's end zone sack against Michigan was selected the week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance, earning 52 percent of the votes.
A starter in every game this season, Rubin is fifth on the team with 43 tackles and has 1.0 TFL and an interception.
Penn State remains No. 3 in the Associated Press, USA Today Coaches and Harris polls. The Nittany Lions also were No. 3 in last week's Bowl Championship Series rankings, with this week's rankings being announced this evening.
Penn State is idle on Saturday and returns to action Nov. 8 at Iowa (5-3, 2-2) . The Hawkeyes were idle yesterday and visit Illinois on Saturday. The kick time and TV for the Penn State-Iowa game should be announced on Monday, Oct. 27.