Nov. 29, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.) collected his first Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award after a stellar outing in Penn State's division-clinching victory over Michigan State. He was also awarded a helmet sticker on ESPN's College Football Final for his performance.
The Ashburn, Virginia native was also named as one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week and was the Rose Bowl Game Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
McSorley is the second Nittany Lion to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, joining Saquon Barkley, who was a two-time honoree. This marks the first time since 2009 that Penn State has had multiple players win Offensive Player of the Week in the same season. McSorley's accolade is the ninth Big Ten weekly honor for Penn State this season, the most for the Nittany Lions in a single season since 2012 (9).
The first-year starting quarterback was 17-for-23 for 376 yards and 4 touchdowns to guide the Nittany Lions to a 45-12 win over Michigan State Saturday. The victory gave Penn State its second divisional title since 2011 and its first trip to the Big Ten Championship game. McSorley is the fourth Penn State quarterback to lead his team to 10 wins in his first year as the starting quarterback, joining Daryll Clark in 2008 (11), Tom Shuman in 1973 (12-0), Chuck Burkhart in 1968 (11-0).
McSorley's 376 passing yards and four touchdowns are both career highs. The 376 yards rank fifth on Penn State's single game passing yardage list. His third quarter touchdown pass gives him a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games, dating back to the TaxSlayer Bowl last season. The 12 consecutive games with a touchdown passes in a single season ties McSorley with Matt McGloin, who also had 12 straight games in the 2012 season with a touchdown pass.
McSorley had 389 yards of total offense, giving him 3,348 this season, which is the Penn State single season record. The previous best mark was 3,215 yards by Matt McGloin (minus-51 yards rushing, 3,266 yards passing) in 2012. McSorley had his fourth 300-yard passing game of his career, tying him for the school record with four in one season. Matt McGloin (2012) and Christian Hackenberg (2013 and 2014) are the other three instances. McSorley had his ninth 200-yard passing game of the season, moving him into a tie with Christian Hackenberg (2013) for third place.
Penn State finished the regular season 10-2 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play after the victory over the Spartans. The Big Ten Championship Game is slated for Saturday with an 8:17 p.m. kick on FOX. The game will also air on the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com (6:30 p.m. airtime).
Penn State season ticket renewals and Nittany Lion Club membership renewals also are underway for the 2017 campaign. The ticket invoice and Nittany Lion Club renewal deadline is Feb. 1, 2017. There will not be any increase in the price of Penn State football season tickets or Nittany Lion Club donation levels for next season. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2017 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.