UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Freshman wide receiver KJ Hamler (Pontiac, Mich.) garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades following his performance against No. 4 Ohio State. It is the first career weekly honor for Hamler.
(Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here)
Additionally, for the second time this season, Hamler was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll. He also earned honor roll accolades after the Pittsburgh game. The Paul Hornung Award is presented to the most versatile player in major college football.
Hamler had a career-high 138 receiving yards on a personal-best four receptions. He also had an electrifying 93-yard touchdown catch, his fourth receiving score in five games. Hamler’s 93-yard touchdown grab is the second-longest play from scrimmage in Penn State history. The play is second only to the 95-yard passing score from Sean Clifford to Daniel George against Kent State in week 3. Hamler also had 57 yards on punt (10 yards) and kick (47 yards) returns for a career-high 195 all-purpose yards.
The native of Pontiac, Michigan ranks fourth in yards per reception (23.69), 22nd in kickoff return average (26.2), 26th in FBS in all-purpose yards per game (127.2) and 28th in receiving touchdowns (4).
HOMECOMING GAME TIME SET
Following the bye week, the No. 11-ranked Nittany Lions host #20/19 Michigan State for a Homecoming contest Oct. 13 at 3:30 on either FS1 or BTN. In addition, the game will also be available on the Penn State Sports Network (2 p.m. airtime) and GoPSUsports.com.
This is the fourth time Penn State will square off against Michigan State in a Homecoming game. The Nittany Lions lost to the Spartans in 1946 (19-16), tied them in 1948 (14-14) and lost in 1951 (32-21). Penn State owns a 71-22-5 record all-time on Homecoming, including wins in 11 of its last 13 games.
In 32 all-time meetings, the Spartans lead 16-15-1. The last time the teams met at Beaver Stadium, a 376-yard, four-touchdown passing performance by quarterback Trace McSorley and a second-half shutout on defense led the Nittany Lions to a 45-12 victory, to claim the 2016 Big Ten East Division title. McSorley connected with Chris Godwin five times for 135 yards and two scores. Brandon Bell led the Penn State defense with 18 tackles as the unit surrendered 256 yards and four field goals in the first half, but yielded just 87 yards and no scores in the second half.
