PSU Nittany Lions

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Michael Mauti passed on the chance Wednesday to talk about his snub on the list of quarter-finalists for the Lombardi Award, but others at Penn State spoke up and expressed surprise at the move.

"If he's not one of the top five linebackers in the country, I'm not sure who is," Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said. "I'm not sure who chooses those things. I have no idea how any of that works, but I'd say, in my opinion, that's a mistake not having him on the Lombardi List. He's having a hell of a year."

The Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation's top lineman or linebacker, named its top 25 players Saturday. Four Big Ten players were included on the list, but Penn State was shut out.

Linebacker Gerald Hodges and defensive tackle Jordan Hill were mentioned on the Lombardi Award's preseason watch list, and Hill said he was surprised his teammate didn't earn some recognition halfway through the season.

"It's disrespectful to how Mauti's been playing all year," Hill said. "He's really been having a great year, and there's not too many guys who have been playing like he is. It's a disappointment but, like I always say, as a football player you use anything as a motivation, and he can use that as motivation."

Mauti, a redshirt senior, was scheduled to address the media Wednesday afternoon but never showed up at the requested time.

His teammates say the soft-spoken linebacker likes to let his play do his talking, and his play has had a lot to say this season. Mauti was twice named Big Ten defensive player of the week, and the Walter Camp Foundation awarded him national defensive player of the week honors after a two-interception performance against Illinois.

Through six games, he boasts a team-high 57 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 4 pass deflections.

The Big Ten players who are on the list over Mauti include Wisconsin LB Chris Borland, Ohio State DL Johnathan Hankins, Purdue DL Kawann Short and Michigan State DL William Gholston.

The Rotary Club of Houston, which hosts the award, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Buzz may be building around Bill O'Brien and his chance to become national coach of the year, but he tried his best Tuesday to deflect that talk.

"That's, um -- you know, we're 4-2, and we have murderer's row coming up here," he said during the weekly Big Ten teleconference. "So there's a lot of great coaches in this country. I've only coached six games my whole career, so that's the farthest thing from my mind."

After dropping the first two games, the Nittany Lions have rebounded by winning their last four -- including Saturday's 39-28 upset win over a ranked Northwestern team. That streak has come from an offense that was hit hard by the sanctions, returned just one regular starter and is still somehow outscoring last season's squad by nearly eight points a game.

In typical O'Brien fashion, he offered praise to his staff and his players Tuesday while remarking how different the job has been from the NFL.

"Having never been a head coach, it's kind of like drinking water from a fire hose," O'Brien said. "Something happens new every day, and you just have to budget your time and do the best you can. We have a veteran staff that has done an excellent job of coaching these kids, and that really helps when you're a brand-new head coach."

Fans, media and other coaches have been much quicker in lauding O'Brien's performance to this point. Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald praised O'Brien for doing a "terrific job," and Penn State earned a vote in this week's Associated Press poll. That voter, the Tuscaloosa News' Cecil Hurt, tweeted earlier this week how impressed he's been with O'Brien's squad.

"I know Ohio beat them but can't think of any team who has overcome more to be 4-2," Hurt wrote.

One major awards list saw a lot of movement recently -- and none of it benefited Penn State.

The Rotary Lombardi Award quarterfinalists were announced Monday, and all of Penn State's players were somehow shut out. The award, given annually to the top lineman or linebacker, had four Big Ten players listed but none from PSU.

Every week, NittanyNation will check in and update how some of its best players are faring on the awards lists. Although the Lombardi Award is no longer available to Penn State players, some are still making a good push for other honors.

Penn State has five players currently vying for eight awards:

LB Michael Mauti (Butkus, Bednarik): Mauti's snub on the Lombardi List was the most surprising and received biting criticism on a national level. His performance Saturday didn't jump off the stats page -- nine tackles, no turnovers or breakups -- but that didn't tell the whole story of a defense that dominated the Wildcats. Mauti helped force four straight three-and-outs, and his overall performance this season has put him in the conversation as one of Linebacker U's 10 all-time linebackers. Through six games, the fifth-year senior contributed toward five turnovers, got a hand on six passes and recorded a team-high 57 tackles.

WR Allen Robinson (Biletnikoff): He rebounded from a below-average game last week to pick up right where his hot streak left off. Robinson grabbed nine receptions for 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's on pace to break just about every Penn State single-season receiving record and has a real shot to be a finalist for this award. Nationally, he's near the top in every category: 15th in yards (524), 14th in receptions (41) and fourth in touchdowns (7).

LB Gerald Hodges (Bednarik, Butkus Nagurski): Hodges' stock recovered some after his best Saturday yet, where he was named Big Ten defensive player of the week. He made his presence felt early and often against the Wildcats; he came away with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble. For the first time all year, he outshined Mauti -- and awards committees should take notice.

C Matt Stankiewitch (Rimington): He put forth another solid effort and helped Penn State rush for 161 yards, most of which came right up the middle. Northwestern's defensive tackles came away with just one stop in the backfield, and that occurred when Matt McGloin held on to the ball too long. If Penn State's rushing game continues to improve, Stankiewitch might be able to sneak in the future list. Historically, this committee doesn't award the trophy to a center whose offense boasts a rushing game ranked outside the top-50. Penn State remains No. 85.

DT Jordan Hill (Outland): The senior's hope to be a finalist improved some after a strong showing over the weekend. He's struggled this year -- and he remains a long-shot for this award -- but he could make a late push if he has more games like this. Hill finished with eight tackles, a half-sack and a tackle-for-loss. He said he didn't get double-teamed as much and, if teams start to sleep on him, he could make them regret it.

With the season halfway over, NittanyNation has looked over the games and each player performance to decide this year's midseason awards.

Who's the team MVP to this point, and who's the biggest underachiever? NittanyNation has it all below:

Team MVP: LB Michael Mauti
This is an easy decision. Mauti has a brought a fire to this team, and his leadership hasn't been limited to just the field. During the sanctions, he was one of the first players to step up and pledge his loyalty to the university. And his linebacking performance this season could very well be remembered as one of the best of the decade at Linebacker U. Safety Malcolm Willis said this about Mauti: "His play speaks for itself. His [play] said, 'Guys I'm going to put the team on my back and make a bunch of plays. And I expect the same from you guys.' "
Biggest surprise: QB Matt McGloin
With the additions of O'Brien and Charlie Fisher, McGloin was expected to be improved this season -- but not this much. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,499), completions (136) and is tied with Nebraska's Taylor Martinez in touchdowns (12). McGloin has limited his mistakes, throwing just two interceptions, and this season could go down as one of the best for a Penn State quarterback. At this pace, McGloin could finish the season as the school's No. 2 all-time passer when it comes to yards.

Biggest underachiever: DT Jordan Hill
You could argue for Sam Ficken here, but expectations weren't high for the kicker to begin with. Hill was expected to be a favorite for the Lombardi Award; he was expected to take over for second-round NFL draft pick Devon Still without barely missing a beat. Instead, Hill has taken a step back. He can't deal with the double-teams, and he has just two tackles-for-loss this season. Hill might not even be on course for a selection on the All-Big Ten First Team.

Rookie of the Year: DE Deion Barnes
He was expected to see a lot of time this season as a situational player. But, when Pete Massaro went down, Barnes stepped in as the starter -- and turned a lot of heads. He is the Nittany Lions' top pass-rusher and already has a team-leading four sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof said Barnes has already proven to be a special player, and after a rookie season like this, the words "NFL future" are already being brought up in conversation.

Unsung hero: RB Zach Zwinak
Before the season, few would have guessed Zwinak would rush for more than 100 total yards on the season -- let alone boasting multiple 100-yard games halfway through the season. He was the team's last option, a third-string fullback the year before, but he came onto the field out of necessity for the Nittany Lions. With four tailbacks injured, Zwinak's number was called -- and he didn't disappoint. He leads the team with 317 yards on 68 carries; he also has three touchdowns. He's getting better every week.

Best backup: LB Mike Hull
Hull wasn't sure if he wanted to remain in Happy Valley following the sanctions, but he decided to stick with the team as the No. 4 'backer. He would have been the No. 5, if not for Khairi Fortt's transfer to Cal, but he's seen an increased workload because of his play. He scooped up one fumble and rumbled 74 yards for a touchdown earlier this season. Against Northwestern, he made the final deflection to seal the win. He's guaranteed to be a starter next season.

Most likely to set a record: WR Allen Robinson
O.J. McDuffie set the single-season school reception record in 1992 by catching 63 passes. Through six games, Robinson already has 41 grabs. It would actually be more of a surprise if he doesn't hit the record this season. Robinson could come away with records for receiving yards and touchdowns, but he's closest to the receptions record. He was a third-string wideout last season; he's one of the top in the nation this year.

Least likely to start next year: K Sam Ficken
He's been inconsistent and, before the Northwestern game, was statistically the least-accurate kicker in all of college football. O'Brien says the team remains behind him, but he clearly doesn't trust the kicker. Ficken isn't automatic from anywhere, and it would be a surprise if O'Brien can't find a walk-on or two to take his place next season. Ficken is definitely on the hot seat and, unless he improves drastically these next few weeks, he'll be there all offseason.

Linebacker Gerald Hodges was named Big Ten defensive player of the week after an 11-tackle performance against Northwestern -- making the honor the third for the Nittany Lions in six weeks.

Michael Mauti earned the first two for Penn State, Sept. 17 and Oct. 1.

Hodges played a key role in Penn State's upset win over the Wildcats. He finished with a team-high 1.5 tackles-for-loss, forced a fumble and broke up two passes. For the first time this season, he outshined Mauti.

"It was definitely a challenge," Hodges said Saturday. "Every year, Northwestern tries to spread the offense and tire us out. But our coaches do a great job with the fast-paced offenses."

Coming off a school-record 704-yard performance against Indiana, the Wildcats sputtered against Hodges and Co. Penn State limited Northwestern's No. 9-ranked rushing offense to 112 yards and allowed just 247 total yards on offense.

The conference player-of-the-week award was the third of Hodges' career.