Oct. 12, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Junior Mike Gesicki (Manahawkin, N.J.) has parlayed his career year into a spot on the Mackey Award Midseason watch list. The Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. The award is named after NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey, who is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position.
Gesicki has career highs of 23 catches, 277 yards and two touchdowns this season. He is tied for first in the Big Ten and fifth in the country in receptions by a tight end. His 277 yards are the most by a Big Ten tight end and are seventh in FBS for a tight end. He is ranked sixth by Pro Football Focus in pass blocking efficiency with a 98.6 percent mark on the season.
The native of Manahawkin, New Jersey has had at least 23 receiving yards in each game this season, highlighted by a 5-reception, 70-yard performance against Minnesota. He also had a career-long 53-yard catch versus the Golden Gophers. Gesicki opened the season with three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown against Kent State. He also had a solid outing against Temple, pulling in two balls for 62 yards.
The Nittany Lions have a bye this week before returning to Beaver Stadium for the Penn State White Out Game against top-5 foe Ohio State at 8 p.m. on either ABC/ESPN/ESPN2. The game also airs on the Penn State Sports Network (6:30 p.m. airtime) and GoPSUsports.com.
Single game tickets for the 2016 campaign are on sale. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.