July 17, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A day after being selected to the Maxwell Award watch list, senior quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.) was named to the preseason watch lists for the Davey O'Brien Award for the nation's top quarterback. Additionally, senior safety Nick Scott (Fairfax, Va.) is a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Todd Blackledge (1982) and Kerry Collins (1994) are the Nittany Lions that have claimed the Davey O'Brien Award.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and one honorary head coach. To be in consideration by Allstate and the AFCA for a nomination, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing. Four Nittany Lions have earned Good Works Team accolades -- Brandon Smith (2017), Ben Kline (2015), Stefen Wisniewski (2010) and Wayne Holmes (1994).
McSorley, who is a two-time captain, enters his final season in the Blue & White having thrown a touchdown pass in 28-straight games, the longest active streak in FBS. He holds the Penn State career records for completion percentage (61.8), passing efficiency (152.9), passing touchdowns (59) and total offense (8,268). He also owns the Penn State season marks for passing yards (3,614; 2016), completions (284; 2017), passing touchdowns (29; 2016), total offense (4,061; 2017), 300-yard passing games (5; 2016 and 2017), 200-yard passing games (11; 2016 and 2017) and touchdowns responsible for (37; 2017). In 2017, McSorley became just the second player in Big Ten history to have 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores in the same season, joining Ohio State's J.T. Barrett (2014 and 2017). He is also one of seven players in Big Ten history to record back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons. Last season, McSorley earned his second consecutive berth on the All-Big Ten second team as selected by the coaches and media. McSorley was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Manning Award in 2017.
Scott, who is a two-time captain, had 33 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in 2017. He scooped up a fumble against Indiana, which was forced by Irvin Charles on Hooiser punt return, and took it 13 yards for his second career touchdown. He previously had a rushing touchdown against Army in 2015. A leader on special teams, Scott finished third on the team with nine tackles on special teams with eight coming on kickoffs and one on punt coverage in 2017. In addition to his success on the field, Scott has been active in the community. He danced independently in THON, the world's largest student-run philanthropy, in 2018, raising more than $12,300 for the cause. He has also made visits to Penn State Children's Hospital with the team and participated in Lift for Life, which raises money for rare diseases, and Special Olympics.
Four different Nittany Lions have been named to preseason watch lists. They include: senior quarterback Trace McSorley -- Maxwell Award (National Player of the Year), Davey O'Brien Award (nation's top quarterback); junior defensive end Shareef Miller -- Bednarik Award (National Defensive Player of the Year); senior safety Nick Scott -- Allstate AFCA Good Works Team; head coach James Franklin -- Bobby Dodd Trophy (nation's top coach).
The Nittany Lions' home schedule features five Big Ten Conference games, including visits from 2017 Big Ten Championship Game participants Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions open the season against Appalachian State (Sept. 1; 3:30 p.m.) and Kent State (Sept. 15; noon) in non-conference action. In Big Ten play, Penn State welcomes Ohio State (Sept. 29), Michigan State (Oct. 13; 3:30/4 p.m.), Iowa (Oct. 27), Wisconsin (Nov. 10) and Maryland (Nov. 24) to Happy Valley.
More than 6,300 new season tickets have been sold for the 2018 season presented by PSECU. The public single game sale takes place beginning June 26. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.NittanyLionClub.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.