Oct. 4, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - One of the players responsible for giving Penn State an early momentum boost in Saturday's 35-17 win at Illinois has been honored by the Big Ten Conference.
Senior punter Jeremy Boone (Mechanicsburg) averaged 49.5 yards on his four punts to earn Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week accolades for the first time in his outstanding career. He shares the honor with Northwestern kicker Stefan Demos.
Boone is the third Nittany Lion honored by the Big Ten the initial five weeks of the season, joining quarterback Daryll Clark (Offense vs. Akron) and linebacker Sean Lee (Defense vs. Temple).
The Big Ten's punting average leader the past two seasons, Boone delivered another impressive performance in Champaign. His first punt of the game traveled 66 yards and was downed at the Illinois 3 to significantly change the field position early in the game. The punt was the third-longest of his career and was tied for No. 17 on the school's all-time list, giving Boone three of top 20 longest punts in Penn State annals.
Late in the first half, Boone lofted a punt that A.J. Wallace downed at the Illinois 1. His only punt of the second half traveled 60 yards.
The former Mechanicsburg High School standout leads the Big Ten with a 48.8-yard average on his 15 punts, with seven landing inside the 20. He leads all conference punters by more than three yards per punt. Boone would be ranked No. 2 in the nation with his 48.8-yard average, but does not meet the NCAA's 3.6 punts per game minimum.
Penn State's career punting average leader, Boone also is on pace to break the school record for season punting average. The mark is 43.6 yards, set by Ralph Giacomarro in 1981.
The No. 14/12 Nittany Lions (4-1) host Eastern Illinois (4-1) on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Penn State's final non-conference game of the season. It is Champions Day, with Penn State's team and individual conference and national champions from 2008-09 being recognized at halftime. The contest will kick at 12:05 p.m. and air on ESPN Classic, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
A limited number of tickets remain for the Eastern Illinois game. Tickets can be purchased at www.GoPSUsports.com or by calling 800-833-5533.
--NITTANY LIONS--