University Park, Pa. — One of the primary catalysts in Penn State's 31-6 thumping of Temple on Saturday has been honored by the Big Ten Conference.
Senior linebacker Sean Lee (Pittsburgh) recorded 12 tackles to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades. The conference honor is the third of his career.
In his third game back on the field after missing last season with a serious knee injury, Lee has picked up where he left off in 2007. In the win over the Owls, he tallied his 14th career double figure tackle game. A co-captain, Lee recorded 2.5 tackles for losses (minus-12), including his second sack of the season in the first quarter.
In last week's 28-7 win over Syracuse, Lee made a game-high 13 tackles, with 3.0 tackles for minus-17 yards, including a 13-yard sack of Greg Paulus in Penn State territory.
Against the Orange, Lee moved into Penn State's career top 10 in tackles. He is No. 9 with 271 stops. Another former western Pennsylvania standout linebacker, Brandon Short (1996-99), is eighth with 273 career hits. All-America linebackers John Skorupan (1970-72) and Shane Conlan (1983-86) are tied for No. 6 with 274 stops.
The former Upper St. Clair High School standout leads Penn State and is tied for No. 3 in the Big Ten with 32 tackles (10.7 tpg). Lee also is tied for No. 1 in the conference with 7.5 TFL (2.5 avg.) and is tied for No. 4 with two sacks.
The No. 5/4 Nittany Lions (3-0) host Iowa (3-0) on Saturday, Sept. 26 to open Big Ten Conference play. The clash will kick at 8:00 p.m. and all Penn State fans are encouraged to wear white and turn Beaver Stadium into the Whitehouse for the ABC national telecast. The game also will air on the Penn State Sports Network, www.GoPSUsports.com
A Rally in the Valley will be held Friday at 8:00 p.m. in Rec Hall. On Saturday, ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will originate from Penn State Satutday from 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Both events are open to the public