Dec. 23, 2009
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.; December 23, 2009 - Penn State junior linebacker Navorro Bowman and junior center Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) lead five Nittany Lions that have additional All-America recognition.
Bowman and Wisniewski were selected third-team All-Americans by CollegeFootballnews.com.
They also were among five Nittany Lions selected honorable mention All-Americans by Pro Football Weekly. The publication selected one team. Wisniewski was listed third among centers and Bowman was sixth among outside linebackers. A 2008 and 2009 first team All-time Big Ten selection, Bowman has garnered eight All-America recognitions this year. Wisniewski, who also was first team all-conference this season, earned his first All-America honor.
Senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick (Lebanon) was listed third among defensive tackles on the Pro Football Weekly All-America team. A first team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and CBSsports.com, Odrick has earned seven All-America recognitions this season. The 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Odrick also is a two-time all-conference honoree.
Senior linebacker Sean Lee (Pittsburgh) was selected third among Pro Football Weekly's inside linebackers. Lee, who played outside linebacker this season, was a Pro Football Weekly first team All-American as a junior in 2007. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree tore his right ACL in April, 2008 and missed last season.
Senior quarterback Daryll Clark (Youngstown, Ohio) was the fifth quarterback listed by Pro Football Weekly. The co-winner of the 2009 Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, the record-setting Clark also is a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection.
The No. 11/9 Nittany Lions (10-2) will play No. 13 LSU (9-3) in the 64th Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010. The second all-time meeting between the teams will kick at 1:00 p.m. in Orlando, Fla. and air on ABC, Sports USA Radio and the Penn State Sports Network. Penn State will be playing in its fourth different New Year's bowl game in the last five years.
The Nittany Lions practiced twice here on Wednesday and will practice once on Thursday and then depart for Orlando. The team will hold its annual Christmas Party with the players, coaches and staff and their families on Christmas Eve, including a visit from Santa Claus. The squad will have Christmas Day off.
For ticket information on the Capital One Bowl, go to Bowl Central at www.GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Penn State is 50-13 (79.3) since the start of the 2005 season, the nation's No. 8 winning percentage over that span. Penn State will be playing in its 36th bowl game under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in post-season appearances and victories (23-11-1 record). The Nittany Lions were No. 13 in the final Bowl Championship Series rankings.
Penn State has earned its 24th New Year's bowl bid under the Hall of Fame coach, who owns a 16-7 mark in such contests. The Nittany Lions have posted Paterno's Football Bowl Subdivision record 21st season with at least 10 victories.