Oct. 3, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Placekicker Anthony Fera (Cypress, Texas) has been selected Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after making a career-high three field goals and effectively punting and kicking off in Penn State's 16-10 win at Indiana last Saturday.
A redshirt sophomore, Fera earns his first career conference honor for helping the Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-0) win the inaugural Big Ten Leaders Division game. Fera becomes the third Nittany Lion honored this season by the conference, joining quarterback Matt McGloin and cornerback/kick returner Chaz Powell.
In just his second game as the Nittany Lions' field goal kicker, Fera connected from 22, 27 and 33 yards, making his first two kicks into a steady breeze estimated at 14-18 mph. A fourth attempt, from 52 yards, into the wind, fell just short.
Fera punted seven times for a 39.0 average, with three kicks downed inside the IU 20-yard-line. The former St. Pius X standout also kicked off four times for a 66.5-yard average and one touchback.
In Penn State's win over Eastern Michigan on Sept. 24, Fera became the first Nittany Lion since Chris Bahr in 1975 to be the starter for field goals, kick offs and punts.
For the season, Fera is averaging 43.6 yards on his 18 punts, with five landing inside the 20. He is ranked fourth in the Big Ten in punting average. He is 4 of 5 on field goal attempts and is third on the team with 17 points.
Penn State begins a two-game homestand when it hosts Iowa (3-1) for the Hawkeyes' Big Ten opener on Saturday, Oct. 8. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in Beaver Stadium. The clash will air on ABC (ESPN in outer markets), the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com. More than 60 members of Penn State's unbeaten 1986 National Championship team will be in attendance and recognized at the game.
A limited number of tickets remain for Penn State's home games with Iowa (Oct. 8), Purdue (Oct. 15-Homecoming) and 5-0 Illinois (Oct. 29). The Senior Day clash with Nebraska contest (Nov. 12) is sold out. Tickets are available at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or by calling 1-814-865-5555 weekdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.