Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/541265
111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome c lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S growing pains to be endured, and even if they are less dramatic than they were a year ago, expectations should be set ac- cordingly. Also, Penn State's situation in the kicking game is worthy of some serious concern. The Lions weren't able to take a scholarship specialist in their most recent recruiting class, and both the kicking and punting positions remain up for grabs heading into preseason practice. Punting is an underappreciated facet of the game. Although less dramatic than a turnover, a 20-yard punt can be nearly as demoralizing. Over the course of a season, those hidden yards add up, putting even more pressure on an al- ready-stressed defense. To only identify these issues as chal- lenges and nothing more would be disingenuous. For all the pillars of strength that exist on the roster, the few remaining holes are no less critical this year than last. For all the new, shiny toys the Lions' coach- ing staff has brought in with the last couple of recruiting classes, it's impor- tant to remember that they're still very much works-in-progress. The Nittany Lions are making their way through a transitional phase, and this is simply the house they are living in now. ■ A W A R D W A T C H Senior center Angelo Mangiro has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, while fellow senior tight end Kyle Carter is on the Mackey Award watch list. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstand- ing center in NCAA Division I-A, while the Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. As the season progresses, the Rimington Trophy committee will continue to watch all players on its list and will announce its finalists on Dec. 7. The Mackey semifinalists will be revealed on Nov. 16, with the announcement of finalists coming on Nov. 24. The Mackey Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 9. Both awards will be presented live on Dec. 10 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg and sophomore wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton are among the candidates for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the national collegiate player of the year. Penn State is tied for the na- tional lead among all colleges and universities with its seven Maxwell Award winners. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel is a nominee for the Bednarik Award, which honors the nation's top defensive player. The Nittany Lions' four Bednarik Award recipients are the most of any school in the nation. Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be announced Nov. 2, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled Nov. 23. The win- ners of the 2015 Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The formal presentation of these awards will take place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by the Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 11, 2016.