Nov. 15, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Junior running back Saquon Barkley (Coplay, Pa.) is among the 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Award. The Walter Camp Award is given annually to the National Player of the Year.
The Walter Camp Trophy is awarded to the outstanding player of the year who has exemplified the qualities of self-discipline, unselfish team play, desire to excel, mature judgement and respect for leadership. He must be a dedicated competitor who has made effective use of his athletic talent to enhance the great American game of college football. His standout performance on the playing field must be accompanied by an equally strong effort to contribute to the betterment of the life of all his fellow human beings. He must exhibit an awareness of the need to fulfill his role as a leader. He must espouse the ideals adhered to by Walter Camp, the "Father of American Football."
Penn State has two Walter Camp winners in running back John Cappelletti, who won the award in 1973, and tailback Larry Johnson, who claimed the honor in 2002.
Barkley is second in FBS in all-purpose yards per game with a 184.60 average. He scored at least one touchdown in 15 consecutive games from Oct., 29, 2016 until Oct. 28, 2017, which broke Curtis Enis' school record of 14-straight games with a score over the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Barkley is 34th in FBS in rushing yards per game (89.9) and 13th in scoring (9.6 ppg). He is one of 11 players in FBS this season with two or more kickoff return touchdowns, which ties the school record held by Chuck Peters (1940), Curt Warner (1980) and Derrick Williams (2008). Barkley's 30.2 kickoff return average is ninth in FBS.
Barkley is just the first player in Penn State history and fourth in Big Ten history to total 3,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career. Barkley has claimed five Big Ten Player of the Week awards (three offense, two special teams) this season. He has nine conference honors (five offensive, two freshman, two special teams) in his career. Barkley's five career offensive weekly honors are tied for ninth in Big Ten history. Barkley is a four-time Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll selection this season.
The No. 10-ranked Nittany Lions host Nebraska Saturday at 4 p.m. on FS1 for Senior Day presented by the Penn State Alumni Association and the annual Penn State Stripe Out. The game can also be heard on GoPSUsports.com and the Penn State Sports Network (airtime 2:30 p.m.).
Tickets for the home finale of the 2017 Penn State football season presented by PSECU against Nebraska are available. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2018 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 9 a.m-4:30 p.m. More than 9,000 new season tickets have been sold and the season ticket allotment for 2017 has been exhausted.