Andrew Szczerba enters the season looking to again make an impact, having missed the entire 2010 campaign with a back injury. The big, soft-handed receiver enters the year as the Nittany Lions[apos] most experienced tight end after appearing in every game on offense and special teams in 2008 and `09. A tireless worker who was co-recipient of the 2010 Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award, he will have an opportunity to serve a large role with the offense if he is healthy. A sturdy and steady target with excellent skills and physical attributes, Szczerba is one of the squad[apos]s most active players in community service and enjoys interacting with youth. In high school, Szczerba watched with great interest as the Nittany Lions won the 2005 Big Ten Championship and a berth in the FedEx Orange Bowl. Having led Salesianum HS to state titles in 2005 and `06, he is looking forward to helping the Nittany Lions return to the national championship picture. Szczerba graduated in May. The 2006 Gatorade Player-of-the-Year in Delaware, he is among five First State natives on the squad.
2010 Senior Season
Szczerba spent the season rehabilitating a back injury and did not see any action.
2009 Junior Season
Szczerba played in every game for the second consecutive year. He was on the field for 107 snaps. He again was among the squad[apos]s most consistently productive contributors on special teams. He made one catch for six yards in the win over Temple.
2008 Sophomore Season Szczerba played in every game on offense and special teams. He made the first catch of his Penn State career in the season-opener with Coastal Carolina, hauling in a nine-yard reception from Paul Cianciolo. He was on the field for a season-high 26 snaps each against Oregon State and Temple and a total of 202 snaps. He caught three passes for 39 yards in the 2009 Blue-White game.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Szczerba made a game-high five catches for 65 yards in the 2008 Blue-White game.
High School
Leading Salesianum HS to state championships in 2005 and 2006, Szczerba was a dynamic player on both sides of the ball. Playing tight end and defensive end for Coach Bill DiNardo, Szczerba was selected the 2006 Gatorade Player-of-the-Year in Delaware while earning first-team all-state honors on offense and defense. A team captain, he also was named first-team all-conference and the Lineman-of-the-Year. Rated the No. 12 prep tight end in the nation, he made 12 receptions for 300 yards with four touchdowns as a senior. He also recorded 50 tackles, with six sacks, and one interception. He was selected to play in the 2007 Blue-Gold game. Szczerba also played basketball for three years and was a weightman on the track and field squad.
Personal
Full name is Andrew Joseph Szczerba. He is the son of Edward and Florence Szczerba. Szczerba has two brothers, Edward and Philip, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Julianna, who is Andrew[apos]s twin sister. Philip played soccer at St. John[apos]s University. Szczerba received his degree in labor studies and employment relations in May 2011. Born July 16, 1988 in Wilmington, Del.