Williams nabs team MVP honors
Senior wide receiver Derrick Williams got the nod as Penn State's most outstanding player on Sunday night at the annual State College Quarterback Club awards banquet. The Greenbelt, Md., native accepted the Hall Foundation Award as the team MVP.
Williams, who was one of five co-captains for the 11-1 Nittany Lions, racked up 1,332 all-purpose yards this season, and found the end zone nine times. He finished the season with 40 catches for 451 yards and three touchdowns, and carried the ball 39 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns.
Advertisement
He also returned two kickoffs and a punt for a touchdown.
Williams finished ranks third all-time in school history with 157 catches, and is fifth all-time in Penn State history with 4,076 total yards. He has scored more special teams touchdowns than any other player in school history.
He is set to graduate this month.
Other award winners on this senior-dominated night were:
Richard Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) - senior center A.Q. Shipley.
John Bruno, Jr. Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) - senior kicker Kevin Kelly.
Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship") - senior tackle Gerald Cadogan.
Robert B. Mitinger, Jr. Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) - Senior wide receivers Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood.
Quarterback Club Special Awards - senior cornerback Tony Davis and senior defensive end and co-captain Josh Gaines.
Walk-on Award (walk-on player(s) who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) - senior tight end Greg Miskinis.
The Football Letterman's Club Joe and Sue Paterno Post-Graduate Scholarship was presented for the first time to senior quarterback Paul Cianciolo. Cianciolo, who graduated with a 3.94 grade point average in finance, also was the recipient of the Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award.
The Penn State Coaches' Loyalty and Commitment Award was presented for the first time. The coaching staff selects squad members who have consistently demonstrated loyalty, commitment and dedication to the Football program. The initial recipients were: senior guard Mike Lucian, senior guard Rich Ohrnberger, senior safety Mark Rubin, senior linebacker Tyrell Sales, senior cornerback Lydell Sargeant and senior safety Anthony Scirrotto.