Dec. 11, 2016
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Running Back of the Year Saquon Barkley (Coplay, Pa.) and All-Big Ten honorees defensive end Garrett Sickels (Red Bank, N.J.) and quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.) were among the award winners at State College Quarterback Club's annual banquet honoring the Penn State football team.
Winner of the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year, Running Back of the Year and Silver Football awards, Barkley was selected the Nittany Lions' Most Valuable Player. A second-team All-Big Ten honoree, Sickels was honored as the Most Valuable Defensive Player, while the Nittany Lions' record setting quarterback and Big Ten Championship game MVP McSorley 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 18 seniors and the 2016 squad.
The special group of 2016 seniors have been instrumental in the Nittany Lions posting four consecutive winning seasons and the program's first Big Ten Championship since 2008. Penn State will face USC in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif.
In addition to the player awards (see below), former Nittany Lion guard Marco Rivera was presented the Alumni Athlete Award. A letterman from 1992-95, Rivera was an All-Big Ten second team selection for Penn State's Big Ten Championship team in 1994. He also played in the 1996 Senior Bowl. A sixth round draft pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, Rivera played 11 years in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers (1996-2004) and Dallas Cowboys (2005-06). He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro honoree. He also won Super Bowl XXXI as a member of the Packers. Rivera was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2011. Rivera lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth are with his wife, Michelle, and three sons.
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) -- linebacker Brandon Bell (Blue Bell, N.J.)
- Most Valuable Player -- running back Saquon Barkley (Coplay, Pa.)
- Most Valuable Offensive Player -- quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.)
- Most Valuable Defensive Player -- defensive end Garrett Sickels (Red Bank, N.J.)
- Captain's Award -- linebacker Brandon Bell, offensive lineman Brian Gaia (Pasadena, Md.), linebacker Von Walker (Mill Hall, Pa.)
- Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship") -- wide receiver Gregg Garrity (Pittsburgh)
- Dick Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) -- Brian Gaia
- Bob Mitinger Memorial Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) -- Von Walker
- 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 end Evan Schwan (Harrisburg, Pa.)
- John Bruno Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) -- kicker Tyler Davis (St. Charles, Ill.)
- 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 -- offensive lineman Derek Dowrey (Winchester, Va.)
- Outstanding Run-on Award (Run-on player who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) -- offensive lineman Tom Devenney (Lititz, Pa.)
- Quarterback Club Special Awards -- safety Malik Golden (Hartford, Conn.), cornerback Jordan Smith (Washington, D.C.), offensive lineman Paris Palmer (Plymouth, N.C.)
- 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) -- wide receiver Gordon Bentley (Blue Bell, Pa.)
- The Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award (senior with highest GPA) -- Tyler Yazujian (Royersford, Pa.)
- Highest Academic Average -- wide receiver Gordon Bentley
- Public Service Award -- offensive lineman Charlie Shuman (Pittsford)
- Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year -- wide receiver Josh McPhearson (Columbia, Md.)
- Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year -- defensive end Shaka Toney (Philadelphia), cornerback Desi Davis (Ardmore, Pa.)
- Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year -- offensive lineman Alex Gellerstedt (Dublin, Ohio), running back Irvine Paye (Orange, N.J.)
- Football Support Staff member of the Year -- video director Jevin Stone
Penn State won its first Big Ten Championship since 2008 and fourth overall with an 11-2 regular season and 8-1 mark in Big Ten play. The Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual is slated for Monday, January 2 at 5 p.m. (ET) on ESPN. The game vs. USC will also air on the Penn State Sports Network (3:30 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.
More than 1,000 new season tickets have been sold for the 2017 campaign. 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.