Dec. 15, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; December 15, 2014 - Penn State first-team All-Big Ten selection Mike Hull (Canonsburg) has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Nittany Lion football team.
The Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, Hull was presented the Lions' Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award and team MVP to highlight the State College Quarterback Club's annual banquet honoring the Nittany Lion football team. A crowd of nearly 700 filled the main ballroom at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel to honor 17 seniors and Coach James Franklin's 2014 squad.
The special group of 2014 seniors have been instrumental in the Nittany Lions earning a 30-19 on-field record the past four years under unprecedented circumstances the last three, with a trio of winning seasons and an opportunity for a fourth during their careers. Penn State will face old rival Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 in Yankee Stadium.
"I couldn't be more proud of these seniors, for the blood, sweat and tears you have given to this program," Franklin said. "The sense of pride in Penn State in unbelievable...the brotherhood. The things that you do 5, 10, 20, 40 years from now are what we are going to be most proud of. You will forever be remembered; you stayed strong and laid the foundation."
Hull is the fifth linebacker to be selected Penn State's Outstanding Senior Player since the award's inception in 1978, joining first-team All-Americans Shane Conlan (1986), Paul Posluszny (2006), Dan Connor (2007) and Michael Mauti (2012).
A USA Today second-team All-American, Hull has been instrumental in helping Penn State rank in the FBS Top 10 in all of the primary statistical categories: rushing defense (1st, 84.8 ypg), total defense (2nd, 269.8 ypg), scoring defense (8th, 17.7 ppg), pass efficiency defense (2nd, 99.71) and third down conversion pct. defense (6th, .301). The Nittany Lions are No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing, total, scoring and pass efficiency defense.
A co-captain, Hull leads the Big Ten in tackles with 134 hits (11.2 tpg), averaging at least 1.9 tpg more than every other conference player. He ranks seventh nationally in stops and also leads the Big Ten in tackles in conference games only (96, 12.0 tpg). Hull has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three pass break-ups. Hull has led Penn State in tackles in 11 of 12 games this season, with eight double figure games and three games with nine stops. He ranks No. 6 on Penn State's career tackles list with 288 and also is No. 6 on the Penn State season tackles list with 134.
The former Canon-McMillan High School All-American made a career-high 19 tackles vs. Ohio State, had 16 stops vs. Northwestern and 13 vs. Michigan State. Hull is on pace to become just the fifth Penn State player since 1975 to average at least 11.0 tackles per game, joining Greg Buttle (1974, '75), Andre Collins (1989), Shawn Mayer (2002) and Dan Connor (2007). He has accepted an invitation to play in the 66th Senior Bowl on January 24, 2015, along with safety Adrian Amos (Baltimore).
In addition to the player awards (see below), former Nittany Lion defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson was presented the Alumni Athlete Award. A letterman from 1990-93, Jackson earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades in 1993, the Nittany Lions' first year in the conference. As a senior, he helped Penn State to a 10-2 record, capped by a win over Tennessee in the Florida Citrus Bowl. From Forestville, Md., the 1994 graduate played 12 seasons in the National Football League and was named to the St. Louis Rams' All-Decade Team for the 2000s. A successful businessman, Jackson also serves as a Big Ten Network studio football analyst.
Several awards were presented for the first time at Sunday's State College Quarterback Club banquet:
- Most Valuable Defensive Player - Mike Hull;
- Most Valuable Offensive Player - quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.);
- Captains' Award - Jesse Della Valle (Pittsburgh), Miles Dieffenbch (Pittsburgh), Sam Ficken (Valpariso, Ind.), Christian Hackenberg, Mike Hull, Ryan Keiser (Selinsgrove) and C.J. Olaniyan (Warren, Mich.);
- Highest Academic Average - fullback Brandon Smith (Winfield);
- Public Service Award - center Angelo Mangiro (Roxbury, N.J.);
- Scout team Special Teams Player of the Year - fullback Dom Salomone (Dillsburg);
- Scout team Defensive Player of the Year - defensive tackle Antoine White (Millville, N.J.);
- Scout team Offensive Player of the Year - running back Mark Allen (Hyattsville, Md.);
- Football Support Staff member of the Year - P.J. Mullen, Director of Player Development;
The other 2014 State College Quarterback Club award winners were:
- John Bruno, Jr. Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) - placekicker Sam Ficken;
- Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship") - guard Miles Dieffenbach;
- Richard Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) - center Angelo Mangiro;
- Robert B. Mitinger, Jr. Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) - safety Ryan Keiser;
- Outstanding Run-on Award (Run-on player who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) - running back Cole Chiappialle (Beaver Falls) and linebacker Von Walker (Mill Hall);
- 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 tackle Anthony Zettel.
- 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 - defensive end Deion Barnes (Philadelphia).
- 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) - Ryan Keiser;
- The Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award (senior with highest GPA) was presented to defensive end Brad Bars (Nashville).
- Quarterback Club Special Awards - safety Adrian Amos (Baltimore), running back Bill Belton (Sicklerville, N.J.) and running back Zach Zwinak (Frederick, Md.)
Penn State and Boston College will clash in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 in their 24th all-time meeting and Penn State's 45th bowl appearance. The teams last met in 2004. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl will kick at 4:30 p.m. ET in Yankee Stadium (49,542) and air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State students, Nittany Lion Club and Penn State Alumni Association members have requested more than 11,000 tickets for the Pinstripe Bowl, including nearly 1,300 student tickets. Pinstripe Bowl tickets are available via the travel packages for the Official Penn State Bowl Tour, which can be purchased at www.PennStateSportsTours.com. Packages are available both with and without tickets for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Tickets for the game can be purchased, and information on all the related events can be found at target="_blank">www.pinstripebowl.com.
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