McGloin, Zordich accept all-star invites

* Courtesy of Penn State Sports Information

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; December 21, 2012 - Penn State offensive co-captains Matthew McGloin (Scranton) and Michael Zordich (Youngstown, Ohio) have accepted invitations to play in all-star contests.

A record-setting quarterback, McGloin has been invited to play in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge. Zordich is set to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. They join defensive tackle Jordan Hill (Senior Bowl) as Nittany Lions selected to play in all-star games thus far.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. ESPN2 will televise the contest. The Texas vs. the Nation game is Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm. CT/2:30 p.m ET in Allen, Texas. Fox Sports Southwest will televise the contest.

McGloin and Zoridch were instrumental in helping Coach Bill O'Brien's Nittany Lions earn an 8-4 overall record and 6-2 Big Ten mark, finishing second in the Leaders Division. The duo helped Penn State lead the Big Ten in total offense (437.0 ypg) in conference games and rank second in scoring offense (32.6 ppg) and pass offense (283.1 ypg) against Big Ten foes.

McGloin capped his superlative senior season by being named the recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy, presented to the nation's top player who began his career as a walk-on. McGloin broke nine school records and tied another during one of the most prolific seasons ever by a Penn State quarterback. His 46 touchdown career passes are among his Penn State records.

For the season, McGloin was 270 of 446 (60.5) for 3,266 yards, with 24 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. He also was second on the team with five touchdown runs. An honorable mention All-Big Ten choice, McGloin was selected Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 19 after throwing for 395 yards, just four yards off the school record, and a career-high tying four touchdowns in Penn State's 45-22 win over Indiana.

The former West Scranton High School standout led the Big Ten in passing yards (272.2 ypg) by nearly 25 yards per game. He also led the conference in completions (270) and touchdown passes (24) and had the fewest interceptions among the Big Ten starting signal-callers. McGloin threw at least one touchdown pass in his last 13 consecutive regular season games, with multiple TD passes in eight games this past season.

A co-recipient of the team's Ridge Riley Award, McGloin earned his degree in journalism.

A running back, Zordich started five games during his senior season and also was one of the squad's premier special teams players, recording four tackles. He was second on the team with 308 yards on 80 carries and had four rushing touchdowns, with a long carry of 25 yards. Zordich also made 15 receptions for 152 yards, with a long catch of 27 yards.

The former Cardinal Mooney High School standout led the Nittany Lions with then career-bests of 50 yards on 11 carries in the 34-7 win over Navy for O'Brien's first career victory. The following week, Zordich re-wrote his career-bests with 75 yards on 15 carries and caught four passes for 39 yards in the win over Temple. He ran for 49 yards on just nine carries, including a 23-yard burst, and had a 27-yard reception in the win over Indiana.

Zordich was the recipient of the team's Robert Mitinger, Jr. Award. He earned his degree in recreation, parks and tourism management.

Led by first-year coach O'Brien, the ESPN and Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year, the Nittany Lions won eight of their final 10 games, with the only losses coming against Big Ten division winners Ohio State and Nebraska. In the season finale, the Nittany Lions beat eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin, 24-21, in overtime.

Season tickets are available for the 2013 season. The Nittany Lions will host three teams that finished in the 2012 BCS Top 25: Michigan (Oct. 12-Homecoming), Nebraska (Nov. 23) and Kent State (Sept. 21). Purdue, Illinois, Virginia and Eastern Michigan also will visit Beaver Stadium next fall.

For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.