Dec. 14, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - All-American defensive end Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.), defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) and quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) were among the award winners at State College Quarterback Club's annual banquet honoring the Penn State football team.
Winner of the Lombardi and Hendricks Awards, Lott IMPACT Trophy and a first-team All-American, Nassib was selected the Nittany Lions' Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Defensive Player. A third-team All-Big Ten honoree, Zettel was presented the Lions' Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award, while the Nittany Lions' record setting quarterback, Hackenberg was selected Penn State's Most Valuable Offensive Player.
A crowd of nearly 700 filled the main ballroom at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel to honor 17 seniors and the 2015 squad.
The special group of 2015 seniors have been instrumental in the Nittany Lions posting four consecutive winning seasons, with three years under unprecedented circumstances. Penn State will face Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla.
"I can't express how I feel about these seniors and the impact you've had here in the classroom, in the community and on the football field," head coach James Franklin said. "I can't express how proud I am of you and how you've handled everything with class, honor and integrity. You guys are going to be remembered 20, 30 years from now about how you stood strong when this program and University needed you the most. The adversity you have faced and overcome has shaped who you are."
In addition to the player awards (see below), former Nittany Lion tight end John Gilmore was presented the Alumni Athlete Award. A letterman from 1999-2001, Gilmore was selected the team's Outstanding Senior Player in 2001. He made 58 career catches for 634 yards and three touchdowns during his career. Gilmore played 10 seasons in the National Football League with New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Chicago. He played in 147 career games, making 55 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns. A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Gilmore owns Encore Apparel, Encore Select and Brandthumb, a brand building agency, and lives in Tampa with his wife and two children.
A complete listing of all the award winners at Sunday's State College Quarterback Club banquet:
- Lions' Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award (greatest career contribution to Penn State Football) -- Anthony Zettel
- Most Valuable Player -- Carl Nassib
- Most Valuable Offensive Player -- quarterback Christian Hackenberg
- Most Valuable Defensive Player -- Carl Nassib
- Captains' Award --Christian Hackenberg; Jordan Lucas (New Rochelle, N.Y.); Angelo Mangiro (Roxbury, N.J.); Von Walker (Mill Hall) and Anthony Zettel
- Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship") -- cornerback Trevor Williams (Baltimore)
- Richard Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) -- Angelo Mangiro
- Robert B. Mitinger, Jr. Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) -- Angelo Mangiro
- Reid-Robinson Award (outstanding defensive lineman). Named in honor of two of Penn State's most acclaimed defensive linemen, Dave Robinson and Mike Reid -- defensive tackle Austin Johnson (Galloway, N.J.)
- John Bruno, Jr. Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) -- running back Nick Scott (Fairfax, Va.)
- Iron Lion Award (strength and conditioning). Awarded to the player who demonstrates the cornerstone of the Penn State Football strength and conditioning program -- intensity and consistency -- tight end Dom Salomone (Dillsburg)
- Outstanding Run-on Award (Run-on player who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) -- linebacker Jordan Dudas (Lake City) and tackle Albert Hall (Warwick, N.Y.)
- Quarterback Club Special Awards -- defensive tackle Tarow Barney (Bainbridge, Ga.) and tight end Kyle Carter (Bear, Del.)
- Football Letterman's Club Joe and Sue Paterno Post-Graduate Scholarship ($5,000 Scholarship to a senior to provide recognition and financial assistance for graduate school) -- linebacker Matt Baney (State College)
- The Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award (senior with highest GPA) - Dom Salomone
- Highest Academic Average -- wide receiver Gordon Bentley (Blue Bell)
- Public Service Award -- linebacker Ben Kline (Seven Valleys) and wide receiver Matt Zanellato (Burke, Va.)
- Scout team Special Teams Player of the Year -- wide receiver Josh McPhearson (Columbia, Md.)
- Scout team Defensive Player of the Year -- defensive tackle Ryan Monk (Dallas) and linebacker Brandon Smith (Winfield)
- Scout team Offensive Player of the Year -- tight end Nick Bowers (Kittanning) and quarterback Tommy Stevens (Indianapolis)
- Football Support Staff member of the Year -- P.J. Mullen, Director of Player Development
The Nittany Lions will square off against Georgia in the 71st TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, Jan. 2 at noon. The game will air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com. For more information on tickets, ticket packages and bowl information, visit Penn State's Bowl Central at GoPSUsports.com/bowlcentral or call 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.