UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – All-Big Ten honorees cornerback Amani Oruwariye (Tampa, Fla.), defensive end Shareef Miller (Philadelphia, Pa.), quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.) and running back Miles Sanders (Pittsburgh, Pa.) were among the award winners at State College Quarterback Club’s annual banquet honoring the Penn State football team.
(Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here)
McSorley was selected the Nittany Lions’ Most Valuable Player. Oruwariye and Miller shared the Most Valuable Defensive Player, while Sanders was selected Penn State’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.
A crowd of nearly 700 filled the main ballroom at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel to honor 21 seniors and the 2018 squad.
In addition to the player awards (see below), former Nittany Lion defensive lineman Terry Killens was presented the Alumni Athlete Award. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 1995. During his sophomore season, he was a member of the 1994 squad that went 12-0 and finished second in the AP and Coaches polls. The 1994 team also won the program’s first Big Ten Championship with a perfect 8-0 mark. He was the co-captain of the 1995 squad that defeated Auburn in the Outback Bowl. Killens was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the then-Houston Oilers. He went on the play seven seasons in the NFL. Killens and his wife, Rhonda, have five children.
A complete listing of all the award winners at Sunday’s State College Quarterback Club banquet:
Lions’ Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award (greatest career contribution to Penn State Football) – quarterback Trace McSorley
Most Valuable Player – quarterback Trace McSorley
Most Valuable Offensive Player – running back Miles Sanders
Most Valuable Defensive Player – cornerback Amani Oruwariye, defensive end Shareef Miller
Captain’s Award – quarterback Trace McSorley, safety Nick Scott, punter Blake Gillikin
Ridge Riley Award (senior for “sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship”) – linebacker Koa Farmer
Dick Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) – offensive lineman Connor McGoven
Bob Mitinger Memorial Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) – safety Nick Scott, running back Johnathan Thomas
Reid-Robinson Award (outstanding defensive lineman). Named in honor of two of Penn State’s most acclaimed defensive linemen, Dave Robinson and Mike Reid – defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos
John Bruno Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) – long snapper Kyle Vasey
Tim Shaw Thrive Award (awarded to the student-athlete who has overcome adversities and been an inspiration to his fellow teammates) – defensive end Torrence Brown
Iron Lion Award (strength and conditioning). Awarded to the player who demonstrates the cornerstone of the Penn State Football strength and conditioning program — intensity and consistency – running back Johnathan Thomas
Outstanding Run-on Award (Run-on player who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) – offensive lineman Zach Simpson
Quarterback Club Special Awards – running back Mark Allen, defensive end Ryan Buchholz, linebacker Jake Cooper, wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins, linebacker Jason Vranic, offensive lineman Chasz Wright
Football Letterman’s Club Joe and Sue Paterno Post-Graduate Scholarship ($5,000 Scholarship to a senior to provide recognition and financial assistance for graduate school) – linebacker Frank Di Leo
The Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award (senior with highest GPA) – cornerback Christopher Welde
Highest Academic Average – punter Blake Gillikin
Public Service Award – offensive lineman Charlie Shuman
Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year – safety Drew Hartlaub
Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year – safety Justin Neff, defensive lineman Judge Culpepper, linebacker Max Chizmar
Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year – quarterback Will Levis, offensive lineman Charlie Shuman, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs
The No. 12 Nittany Lions will face No. 14 Kentucky in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. The game will air on ABC.
