Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/847744
P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L >> 2 0 1 7 S E A S O N P R E V I E W CENTER STAGE O F F E N S I V E L I N E M E N Connor McGovern has a new position, but his upward career trajectory hasn't changed C onnor McGovern is not one to waste time. Arriving at Penn State as an early entrant in January 2016, the of- fensive lineman made a nearly immediate impact with the Nittany Lions in his debut season last fall. Pushing his way onto the two-deep at the season's open- ing in September, McGovern was starting by the Minnesota game in October and earned a Big Ten Freshman of the Week nod in November. The award, bestowed in the aftermath of Penn State's 599-yard offensive out- burst against Iowa, marked the first time in conference history that an offensive lineman had been saluted as the week's standout freshman. It was only the third time that an offensive lineman of any class standing had received one of the league's weekly awards. Missing only the Rutgers game due to an unspecified injury, McGovern started nine of the Lions' final 10 games and firmly established himself as an integral part of the offensive line going forward. But after a series of coach- ing decisions this past winter, his place within the unit changed. Shifting from his spot at right guard, McGovern was tapped to man the center position this spring. The change has been, by every account, a successful one. "We thought he came in and picked it up very well," coach James Franklin said. McGovern's quick acclima- tion wasn't a complete surprise to Penn State's coaching staff, as he had spent his high school career at Lake-Lehman in Larksville, Pa., playing the po- sition. He had been a 2016 | ROUTE 66 McGovern started nine games as a true freshman last season. He moved from guard to center in spring practice. Photo by Steve Manuel