Blue White Illustrated

man Eugene Lewis, who just may be the team's most athletic wide receiver. The offensive line weighed an average of 306 pounds per man and physically dominated at the line of scrimmage. The line should be a major strength in 2013. It has four individuals returning who started at least three games this fall: Urschel, Miles Dieffenbach, Donovan Smith and Adam Gress. What's more, several other linemen saw substantial playing time in 2012. In addition to Dieffenbach, Gress, Smith and Urschel, Penn State returns redshirt-sophomore-to-be Angelo Mangiro and fifth-year seniors Ty Howle, Eric Shrive and Nate Cadogan. Don't be surprised to see a starting unit this fall featuring Smith at left tackle, Dieffenbach at left guard, Mangiro or Howle at center, Urschel at right guard and either Gress or Shrive at right tackle. Along the defensive line, Hill was labeled by some as the top tackle in the conference, but the big surprise here was the play of redshirt freshman Deion Barnes, a 6-foot-4, 246-pound Philadelphia native who was selected as the Big Ten Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year. Barnes was also named a freshman All-American by CBSsports.com and The Sporting News. He finished with six sacks for 30 yards in losses, which tied for the fifth-most in the Big Ten. He also had 10 tackles for loss, enough to be ranked No. 13 in the conference. And Barnes was tied for fourth in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles. Penn State's defensive line freed the linebackers to make plays, helping the Lions field a front seven that was as good as any in the conference. You always know Penn State's defense is playing well when its linebackers are the leading tacklers on the team. Even though Mauti missed most of the Nittany Lions' final two games, he, Gerald Hodges and Glenn Carson were the team's top three tacklers this season. Hodges led the team with 109 tackles, Mauti was second with 95 and Carson was third with 85. Mauti received first-team All-Big Ten and All-America recognition. Hodges ended up being second-team All-Big Ten and Carson was an honorable mention choice. When you add the play of redshirt sophomore Mike Hull, who replaced Mauti when he suffered his knee injury against Indiana, it is easy to see why Penn State had the best linebacker unit in the Big Ten. Hull finished sixth on the team in tackles with 58 and was a playmaker on defense during the second half of the season. He ended up with five tackles for 27 yards in losses, and he was tied for second on the team with four sacks. But his most memorable play of the season was a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Navy. You also can't overlook the play of starting cornerbacks Stephon Morris and Adrian Amos. Morris ended up fifth on the team with 60 total tackles and was a leader in the secondary. "[Morris] is a guy I got to know basically right when I came here, because he is a sociable guy and he is passionate about the game of football," O'Brien said. "Stephon went out every single day and got better, did a great job on his technique and played within the scheme that was called. "You can't say enough about Stephon. He did the job this year, and it's not an easy position to play in our defense because there is a lot of man coverage called out there on your own and you have to come up with big plays. And he did that." At 6-0 and 210 pounds, Amos might be the most physical cornerback that Penn State has had in the past decade. With any luck, the Nittany Lions will be able to keep him around for two more years. Amos totaled 44 tackles and was one of five players on defense to start all 12 games. He should replace Morris as the leader in the secondary next fall. The area on this football team that might have been undervalued the most was the running back position. With the departure of Redd and injuries to Derek Day and Bill Belton in SEE CORNER PAGE 26 the two best barbecue restaurants have combined forces to meet all of your game day tailgating needs! DAMON S DAMON'S Offers Caterings for Any Size Party. e Party. Watch Watch All Games in High Definition! Sunday NFL Ticket! Ti icket! Live From DAMON"S Clubhouse, The BILL O'BRIEN CALL IN SHOW, Every Thursday from 6 pm until 8 pm. SHOW, People's Choice & Celebrity Judges Award for People's Award Best Wings In Central Pennsylvania Pick Up All of Your Favorite Tailgate Your Tailgate Damon's Party Packs at Damon's Ribs on the Road Just Below Beaver Stadium! 814-237-6300 • www.damons.com www.damons.com 1031 East College Avenue, State College, PA PA Avenue, Prospector's Award-Winning Barbecue Award -Wiinning a g is BACK at Beaver Stadium! at Beaver Stad aver tadium! bigger & better than eve ! ever er with new menu items and new combinations of combinations bin your favorite ta te party packs your favorite tailgate party packs! fa ailga y Located Directly Across from the Located Directly Across from the Museum Entrance to Beaver Stadium! Museum Entrance to Beaver Stadium! Stop by for Grab and Go Favorites or Pre-Order your Tailgate Party Packs! Stop by for Grab and Go Favorites or Pre-Order your Tailgate Party Packs! We will deliver orders of $100 or more to your tailgate. We will deliver orders of $100 or more to your tailgate. ® People's Choice & Celebrity Judges Award for People's Award Best Ribs In Central Pennsylvania

• Cover