Nov. 10, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Two standouts on Penn State's nationally ranked defense are among the first players to accept invitations to play in the 66th Reese's Senior Bowl.
Safety Adrian Amos (Baltimore) and linebacker Mike Hull (Canonsburg) have accepted invitations to participate in the nation's premier all-star contest on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. NFL Network will televise the contest.
Amos and Hull are the 29th and 30th Nittany Lions selected play in the Senior Bowl in the last 15 years. Penn State defensive tackle DaQuan Jones played in last year's contest, defensive tackle Jordan Hill played in the 2013 Senior Bowl and defensive end Jack Crawford, cornerback D'Anton Lynn and guard Johnnie Troutman played in the 2012 Senior Bowl.
With the selection of Amos and Hull, a total of 110 Nittany Lions all-time have been invited to play in the Senior Bowl.
Amos and Hull have played an instrumental role in helping Penn State rank in the Top 10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in rushing defense (1st, 85.6 ypg), total defense (3rd, 267.6 ypg) and scoring defense (16.6 ppg). The Nittany Lions also are highly ranked in pass defense (13th, 182.0 ypg) and red zone defense (16th, 74.1 pct.).
The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in rushing and red zone defense, are second in total and scoring defense and third in pass defense. Penn State, Alabama, Louisville and Wisconsin are the only FBS teams ranked in the Top 10 in rushing, total and scoring defense. The Nittany Lions and Clemson are the only FBS teams ranked in the Top 20 in rushing, pass, total, scoring and red zone defense.
Amos has made a team-high 34 consecutive starts. A starter at safety and cornerback over the past three seasons, he has recorded 24 tackles (16 solo), and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions. The former Calvert Hall College High School standout also has recorded 1.0 tackle for loss and is tied for second on the team with four pass break-ups.
Amos made a season-high seven tackles in the double overtime game against Ohio State and has grabbed interceptions this year against Rutgers and Northwestern. Amos is on schedule to graduate in December.
Elected a co-captain before the season, Hull was selected first-team Mid-season All-Big Ten by ESPN.com and Phil Steele's College Football. Hull leads the Big Ten and is ninth nationally in total tackles per game (11.0 avg.) and he is second in the Big Ten and is 15th nationally in solo stops per contest (56, 6.2 avg.). He has 99 tackles (56 solo), with 8.5 TFL (minus-25), two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and two pass break-ups.
Hull has led the Nittany Lions in tackles in eight games this season, including five double-digit performances this year and nine in his career. He made a career-high 19 tackles in the double overtime clash with Ohio State, the highest total for a Nittany Lion since Gerald Hodges had 19 hits during the 2011 campaign. The former Canon-McMillian HS standouts is among the nine Nittany Lions who have graduated.
Additional Penn State seniors are expected to accept all-star game invitations.
Coach James Franklin's Nittany Lions (5-4) defeated Indiana last week and host Temple (5-4) this Saturday at 12 p.m. for Military Appreciation Day.
Penn State alumni and fans have purchased more than 5,500 tickets for the "Seats For Soldiers" program that will be donated to active duty and veteran military personnel and their families for the Temple. This year's donated ticket total is more than double the 2,500 total sold in 2013.
ROTC elite, active duty, Wounded Warriors and veterans will be honored for their service to our country throughout the Penn State-Temple game.
Fans interested in purchasing the $35 "Seats for Soldiers" tickets to donate to military personnel and their families can 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. For information on Penn State's Military Appreciation Week leading up to the Military Appreciation Day in Beaver Stadium, log onto: military.psu.edu.
Tickets are available for Penn State's last two home games of the season: Nov. 15 vs. Temple (Military Appreciation Day/Seats For Soldiers) and the Nov. 29 Senior Day clash against No. 12 Michigan State. The kick time for the Michigan State game is to be determined.
Fans can purchase Penn State tickets at PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office (weekdays, 10 a.m-6 p.m.). The Beaver Stadium ticket office, near Gate E, opens four hours before kickoff for all Penn State home games.
Penn State Football is on Twitter (@PennStateFball) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/PSUFball).