Dec. 11, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior A.Q. Shipley (Coraopolis, Pa.) has been named the 2008 recipient of the Rimington Trophy, honoring the nation's outstanding center. In addition, Shipley and sophomore Aaron Maybin (Ellicott City, Md.) have been selected as first team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation while senior Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.) has earned second team honors.
The 2008 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Shipley is the first Nittany Lion to win the Rimington Trophy. Shipley and Maybin become Penn State's 92nd and 93rd first team All-Americans all-time; the 75th and 76th under Coach Joe Paterno. Penn State has had at least one All-American in 38 of his 43 years as head coach.
Shipley was announced as the recipient of the Rimington Trophy, which was first presented in 2000 as a tribute to the career of former Nebraska standout Dave Rimington, during tonight's ESPNU/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The award is presented by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a charitable organization that has raised more than $1.3 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation since the inception of the Rimington Trophy.
An offensive co-captain and the leader of the offensive line, Shipley has been instrumental in anchoring Penn State's best offensive line in more than a decade. Shipley and his line mates lead one of the nation's most potent offenses, as Penn State ranks 11th nationally in scoring offense (40.2 ppg) and No. 15 in the nation in rushing (211.6 ypg) and total offense (452.2 ypg). The Lions top the Big Ten in total and scoring offense and are second in rushing.
A three-year starter and first team All-Big Ten selection in 2007 and `08, Shipley has played a major role in helping Penn State have a 1,000-yard rusher the four seasons (three different players). Behind the former Moon Area High School standout, the Lions lead the Big Ten and are No. 9 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed this season with 12.
A first team All-Big Ten honoree in 2008, Maybin emerged as one of the college football's premier pass rushers and playmakers, ranking fourth in the nation with 12 sacks and sixth with 19 tackles for loss. A tenacious defender with excellent quickness and speed, Maybin has recorded at least one tackle for loss in all 12 games. Maybin has also forced a team-high three fumbles, including two that resulted in Penn State touchdowns, and recorded two pass break-ups.
Derrick Williams |
In the Nittany Lions' 48-7 win at Wisconsin, Maybin grabbed the national spotlight with a dominant performance, recording six tackles (five solo), a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack for minus-12 yards, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up. Maybin earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his outstand performance.
The former Mount Hebron High School standout has helped Penn State lead the Big Ten in all four primary defensive categories and earn Top 10 national rankings in rushing, pass efficiency, scoring and total defense.
Williams further solidified his status as one of the nation's most explosive and dynamic weapons in 2008. The first team All-Big Ten receiver has caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns to move into third place on Penn State's career receptions list (157) and 10th in career receiving yards (1,709). The versatile Williams also has rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns.
Williams has made a huge impact on special teams, returning two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown, giving him five in total for his career, a Paterno-era record. He ranks No. 5 in Penn State career all-purpose yardage with 4,076 yards. Williams led Penn State to victory versus Illinois, becoming the first player under Paterno to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown in the same game while amassing a career-high 241 all-purpose yards.
Williams' big-play ability has helped Penn State to the No. 1-ranking in scoring offense in the Big Ten and 11th nationally. The Nittany Lions have scored 34 or more points in nine of 11 games this season.
The No. 6 Nittany Lions (11-1) have begun preparations for their New Year's Day clash with No. 5/4 USC in the Rose Bowl presented by Citi in Pasadena, Calif. The match-up of Big Ten and Pac-10 champions will kick off at 2:10 p.m. PT/5:10 p.m. ET and air on ABC, ESPN Radio and the Penn State Sports Network.
Penn State will be playing in its 35th bowl game under Paterno (23rd New Year's bowl), who is the all-time leader in bowl appearances and wins (23-10-1 record).