Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/904141
P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L >> T H E 2 0 1 7 S E A S O N safety, but the coaches have seen Apke do exactly what's been asked of him, cer- tainly at an improved rate from his previ- ous three seasons. "Definitely tackling was one of the things I wanted to work on," Apke said. "This off-season, I took time and I watched other people and how they tack- led. Obviously, Marcus is a great tackler, so I learned some from him. It's [also] what Coach Banks told me to work on. I kind of focused on that. I think I've been doing a good job with it." His head coach agrees. "I'm really pleased with Troy and his development," Franklin said. "He's been a great team- mate. He's earned his role and worked up the ladder in terms of his role on special teams, on defense and now, as a starter and a leader. He's very well-re- spected. The coaches trust him. He's making plays. He's a guy we feel like we could put back there as a punt re- turner, as well. He's making the plays that he's supposed to make from a force per- spective, in terms of tackling in the run game. He's making plays in the passing game from a coverage, pass-breakup and interception perspective. I couldn't be any more pleased with Troy." Recruited as a wide receiver before de- veloping into a four-year contributor at safety, Apke looks back on his career as though it passed by in a flash. "Everyone said when I was a freshman that it was going to go fast," he said. "I'm a senior now and I feel the same way. It's what I tell the younger guys. It goes fast, so just enjoy it." And when you can, stay in the weight room for a few extra minutes. ■ SAFETY FIRST Apke chases down Georgia State's Taz Bate- man earlier this season. The sen- ior strong safety has been one of the Nittany Lions' leading tacklers throughout the year. Photo by Steve Manuel A W A R D S W A T C H Junior quarterback Trace Mc- Sorley has been named one of 10 8nalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and one of 16 semi8nalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. The Golden Arm Award is presented to the nation's top quarterback based on his accom- plishments on and o9 the 8eld. Candidates must be a college sen- ior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. The O'Brien Award is pre- sented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious na- tional quarterback award. It hon- ors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring charac- ter while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Junior running back Saquon Barkley is among the 18 semi8- nalists for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the collegiate player of the year. Penn State is tied for the national lead among all col- leges and universities with seven Maxwell Award winners. The award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to the country's collegiate player of the year since 1937. Barkley is also one of four 8nalists for the Louisville Sports Commis- sion's Paul Hornung Award pre- sented by Texas Roadhouse. The award goes to the most versatile player in major college football. Senior linebacker Brandon Smith is among the 20 semi8nal- ists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. The inaugural Witten award, presented by Al- bertsons and Tom Thumb, will be the 8rst college football honor to focus primarily on a player's lead- ership, both on and o9 the 8eld. ■