Penn State players honored
Allen Robinson was named the Big Ten's top receiver. Guard John Urschel and DT DaQuan Jones also made all-conference first team.
STATE COLLEGE - Allen Robinson was dubbed the Big Ten's top wide receiver for the second straight season yesterday and was one of three Penn State players selected to all-Big Ten first teams.
Robinson led the conference in receptions (97) and receiving yards (1,432) to go along with his six touchdowns. He was named a first-team all-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media, as was Penn State guard John Urschel, who also got the honor for the second season in a row.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was a first-team choice by the coaches, and a second-team pick by the media for a season that featured 11 1/2 tackles for loss.
Robinson, a 6-3 junior, instantly became the favorite target of true freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg and was accountable for 46 percent of the Nittany Lions' yardage through the air. He topped his numbers from last season (77 grabs, 1,013 yards) and hit the century yardage mark in eight of Penn State's 12 contests. His best performance was a 173-yard, two-touchdown afternoon in a loss against Indiana on Oct. 5. In a loss at Ohio State, he also had 12 receptions for 173 yards, with one score.
The Southfield, Mich., native has the option of entering the 2014 NFL draft or returning to play for coach Bill O'Brien in his senior season. Robinson appeared on the Big Ten Network after being announced as the winner of the award, was asked about his future, but said he is still undecided.
"I'm going to go home over Christmas break and try to talk to my family and keep close in touch with my coaches here, and just try to figure it out," said Robinson, who is projected as a first- or second-round pick by many analysts.
The 6-3, 301-pound Urschel - who is also a finalist for the senior CLASS Award, which is given to the nation's top student-athlete - aided a Penn State rushing attack that averaged 174 yards per game.
Jones led the team in tackles for loss, had 56 total tackles and also recorded three sacks.
The conference will hand out more awards tonight, including freshman of the year, which Hackenberg is considered the favorite to win. The signal-caller, honored yesterday for the fifth time as conference freshman of the week, was also one of nine Penn State players to receive all-Big Ten honorable mention identification. He was joined by cornerback Adrian Amos, linebacker Glenn Carson, kicker Sam Ficken, center Ty Howle, tight end Jesse James, cornerback Jordan Lucas, defensive end C.J. Olaniyan and offensive tackle Donovan Smith.