Aug. 12, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick (Lebanon) and center Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) are among 40 players selected to the 2009 Outland Trophy Watch List. The prestigious honor is presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to the nation's top interior lineman.
Penn State is the only Big Ten school with multiple nominees on the 2009 Watch List. The Nittany Lions have one previous Outland Trophy recipient, All-America defensive tackle Mike Reid, who won in 1969.
Odrick, a 2008 first team All-Big Ten selection, is the returning senior member of the defensive line. A disruptive force with ideal size and quickness off the ball, he is also a 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award candidate and was selected a third team preseason All-American by Sporting News, Phil Steele and Athlon. In 2008, Odrick was a major factor on a Penn State defense that earned a top 10 national ranking in three of four primary defensive categories. He recorded 41 tackles, with 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass break-ups. Odrick was named the winner of the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Week Award versus Michigan for his momentum-shifting quarterback sack and safety in Penn State's 46-17 victory.
Wisniewski, along with senior tackle Dennis Landolt, return as Penn State's most experienced offensive lineman and will anchor the unit in 2009. A physical and versatile player, he has transitioned to center this season after spending the last two seasons at guard, including 12 starts in 2008. Despite not having played a down yet at center, Wisniewski has gained national recognition, receiving preseason first team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele's 2009 College Football and preseason third team All-American mention by Athlon Sports College Football.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The winner of the Outland Trophy, named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century, will be announced on the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be held on Jan. 14, 2010 in Omaha, Neb.
Coach Joe Paterno, who is entering his 44th season at the helm of the Penn State program, and the Nittany Lions will open the 2009 season at 12 p.m. on Sept. 5 when they host Akron. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com.
--NITTANY LIONS--