Bowman grows up fast at Linebacker U
December 30, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Navorro Bowman admits he became a bit wide-eyed when the college football awards were distributed, hoping to someday get his hands on the hardware.
He saw his roommate and Penn State teammate, defensive end Aaron Maybin, travel to Orlando, Fla., as a finalist for the Bednarik Award. Another teammate, Nittany Lions center [...]
Maybin seizes opportunity for Penn State
December 30, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
A year ago, Penn State’s defensive line meeting room was packed with players, and Aaron Maybin could hang out in the back.
Maybin had a role, but not a key one. He contributed four sacks as a redshirt freshman and had carved a niche as a rush end who could provide a [...]
Paterno demotes several starters in practice
December 29, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
There’s a reason why Penn State’s Joe Paterno has won more bowl games than any other coach, so it’s foolish to question his decisions.
If anything, Paterno’s move to demote three starters to the second team in practice shows that the 82-year-old is still very much in charge of his team.
It would [...]
Lions strive to be in league of their own
December 28, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
For decades, Penn State didn’t have this problem. The Nittany Lions could never be deemed guilty by association.
Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and the rest of the Nittany Lions are playing for themselves, not the Big Ten, in the upcoming Rose Bowl.
As a Division I-A independent until 1993, Penn [...]
Big Ten lunch links: Maybin’s rapid rise
December 26, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Here’s your post-Christmas reading list.
Aaron Maybin wasn’t a starter heading into the season. Now the Penn State star defensive end is contemplating a jump to the NFL, Bernard Fernandez writes in the Philadelphia Daily News.
There’s increasing doubt about Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema, but his boss continues to be in his [...]
3-time All-America Laurinaitis heads AP team
December 16, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) — James Laurinaitis idolized A.J. Hawk, Chris Spielman and the other great linebackers who played for Ohio State before him.
Now, in at least one area, he has surpassed them.
Laurinaitis became the second college football player to be a three-time AP All-American, joining Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and star receiver Michael Crabtree [...]
Five Big Ten players named AP All-Americans
December 16, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis led a group of five Big Ten players to earn AP first-team All-America honors. Laurainaitis became Ohio State’s first three-time AP All-American since safety Mike Doss (2000-02).
Buckeyes cornerback Malcolm Jenkins joined Laurinaitis on the All-America team, along with Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin, Iowa running [...]
Penn State Nittany Lions season recap
December 16, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
After an offseason dominated by talk of disciplinary problems and Joe Paterno’s viability as a coach, Penn State shifted the spotlight back to where it matters, the football field.
The Nittany Lions were unquestionably the Big Ten’s best team this fall, blending a dynamic offense with a resolute defense to finish 11-1. [...]
Four Big Ten players named FWAA All-Americans
December 15, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The Football Writers Association of America released its 2008 All-America team over the weekend, and the selections included four Big Ten players.
Iowa running back Shonn Greene, Penn State center A.Q. Shipley, Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin and Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins all made the list of honorees. The Big [...]
2008 Rose Bowl Preview: Who Has The Edge?
December 13, 2008
The 2008 Rose Bowl will be the only BCS bowl game to feature two one loss conference champions play head to head besides the National Title Game. So naturally this game will function as a sort of “semifinal” in which the winner can make a case that they deserve to play the winner of the [...]