Nov. 5, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior defensive end Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) is a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award for the Nation's Top College Lineman (offensive or defensive). He is one of 12 candidates for the award.
The Lombardi Award is given annually to the nation's top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker who, in addition to outstanding performance, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. Bruce Clark is Penn State's lone Lombardi Award winner, claiming the award in 1978.
Nassib has sprung onto the national scene this year and leads FBS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (18.5) and is third in forced fumbles (5). He has recorded a sack in each game this season and five multi-sack games. Nassib's 14.5 sacks this season are the most by a Nittany Lion since Michael Haynes tied Larry Kubin's school record of 15 sacks in 2002. Kubin recorded 15 sacks in 1979.
Additionally, Nassib is the first Penn State player to force two fumbles in two games in a season since Maurice Evans did it in 2007. Evans had two forced fumbles against Indiana and two forced fumbles against Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl. Nassib's five forced fumbles this season are the most by a Penn State player since Evans had five in the 2007 season. He was recently named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award for the nation's Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a midseason All-America choice by SI.com, ESPN.com, USAToday.com and CBS Sports.
The four finalists for the Lombardi Award will be announced on Tuesday, November 17 and the winnner will be announced at the Bayou Music Center in Houston, Texas on December 9.
The Nittany Lions travel to Evanston to face Northwestern Saturday at noon. The game will air on ESPNU, the Penn State Sports Network (10:30 a.m. pregame) and GoPSUsports.com.
Tickets for the Nittany Lions' home finale are available. Penn State hosts Michigan on Nov. 21 for Senior Day and a Penn State WhiteOut. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.