Blue White Illustrated

February 2020

Penn State Sports Magazine

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played for Penn State, but Kwalick still ranks 19th in school history in career re- ceiving yardage with 1,343 yards on 88 catches. Equally significant, he held the Penn State record for most career touch- downs by a tight end with 10 until the mark was broken in 2014 by Jesse James. Kwalick's most memorable touchdown did not count in those receiving stats because it was a 64-yard run on the re- covery of a late-fourth-quarter onside kick against Army in October 1968 that saved an undefeated season and Penn State's No. 2 ranking in the polls. Kwal- ick almost scored the winning points in the ensuing Orange Bowl, but an over- thrown pass on a late two-point conver- sion attempt appeared to decide the outcome in Kansas's favor. Then the Jay- hawks were penalized for having 12 men on the field, and the Lions got another chance. On the final play of his career, Kwalick wiped out Kansas All-America defensive end John Zook, helping Bobby Campbell blast into the end zone for the famous 15-14 victory. Kwalick followed with a nine-year All- Pro career, mostly with San Francisco. He won a Super Bowl ring while playing for Oakland in 1976. Kyle Brady 1991-94 6-6 | 260 | New Cumberland, Pa. Readers who believe Brady, not Kwal- ick, is Penn State's quintessential tight end have evidence to support them. Kwalick was a singular offensive talent as a combination receiver-blocker on his teams, pairing with two superior run- ning backs and the sterling leadership and clutch playmaking of a much-ma- ligned quarterback. Brady was sometimes over- shadowed by three other superstars on a high- scoring offense in 1994 that was then branded one of college football's all-time best featuring a running back and quar- terback in the top four of the Heisman voting. Brady's crucial pass re- ceptions were a perfect change-up in the Nittany Lions' offen- sive juggernaut, and in the final evalua- tion, his blocking, arguably, may have surpassed Kwalick's. Brady has a "strong and menacing presence as a blocker," stated his entry in the 1994 Penn State media guide. However, unlike Kwalick, who was a starter from his first game, Brady devel- oped slowly. Although he was a two- time All-Big Ten tight end, not until his senior year did he begin to reach his po- tential. He was chosen on just two first- team All-America squads in 1994, while Boston College's Pete Mitchell was the consensus selection. Still, Brady's 76 ca- TOUCHDOWN MAKER After only two sea- sons, Freiermuth already ranks as one of the most productive tight ends in Penn State history. Photo by Steve Manuel A T T H E 2 0 2 0 N I T T A N Y L I O N S

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