Universsity Park, Pa. — A trio of Penn State standouts have earned additional All-America recognitions.
Senior center A.Q. Shipley (Coraopolis) was selected an All-American by ESPN.com, which selects just one All-America team. Defensive end Aaron Maybin (Ellicott City, Md.) and wide receiver/kick returner Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.) were honored as Sporting News second-team All-Americans.
All three Nittany Lions have earned multiple All-America recognitions this season. Shipley previously was selected a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America All-America and Walter Camp Football Foundation and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and SI.com.
The All-America accolades are the fifth for Maybin and the third for Williams this season. A redshirt sophomore, Maybin previously was selected a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America All-America and Walter Camp Football Foundation and a second-team All-American by SI.com A senior co-captain, Williams earned Walter Camp second-team and Associated Press third-team All-America recognition.
Senior guard Rich Ohrnberger (East Meadow, N.Y.) also was an AP third-team All-America selection.
Shipley was announced as Penn State's first recipient of the Rimington Trophy on Dec. 11 at the ESPNU/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 2008 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, the tough and physical Shipley has been instrumental in anchoring Penn State's best offensive line in more than a decade. A co-captain, he has started all 38 games at center the past three years.
Shipley fronts one of the nation's most potent offenses, as Penn State ranks 11th nationally in scoring offense (40.2 ppg) and No. 15 in the nation in rushing (211.6 ypg) and total offense (452.2 ypg). The Lions lead the Big Ten in total and scoring offense and are second in rushing. The former Moon Area High School standout has played a major role in helping Penn State have a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the past four seasons (three different players). Behind Shipley, the Lions lead the Big Ten and are tied for No. 9 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed this season with 12.
Maybin has joined Shipley as Penn State's 92nd and 93rd first team All-Americans all-time; the 75th and 76th under Joe Paterno. Penn State has had at least one All-American in 38 of his 43 years as head coach.
A first team All-Big Ten honoree in 2008, Maybin emerged as one of the college football's premier pass rushers and playmakers, ranking fourth in the nation with 12 sacks and sixth with 19 tackles for loss. A tenacious and athletic defender, Maybin was a finalist for the Bednarik Award and the Ted Hendricks Defensve End Award.
The former Mount Hebron High School standout has recorded at least one tackle for loss in all 12 games. Maybin has also forced a team-high three fumbles, including two that resulted in Penn State touchdowns, and recorded two pass break-ups. He has helped Penn State lead the Big Ten in all four primary defensive categories and earn Top 10 national rankings in rushing, pass efficiency, scoring and total defense.
Williams further solidified his status as one of the nation's most explosive and dynamic weapons in 2008. The first team All-Big Ten receiver has caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns to move into third place on Penn State's career receptions list (157) and 10th in career receiving yards (1,709). The versatile Williams also has rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Williams has made an enormous impact on special teams, returning two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown this year, giving him five in total for his career, a Joe Paterno-era record. He ranks No. 5 in Penn State career all-purpose yardage with 4,076 yards. Williams led Penn State to victory versus Illinois, becoming the first player under Paterno to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown in the same game while amassing a career-high 241 all-purpose yards.
Williams' big-play ability has been instrumental in helping Penn State earn a 40-10 record since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the seventh-best mark in the nation. The former Eleanor Roosevelt HS All-American has helped the Lions score 34 or more points in nine games this season.
Paterno's Big Ten Champion Nittany Lions (11-1) are preparing for their New Year's Day clash with No. 5/4 USC (11-1), the Pac-10 champions, in the 95th Rose Bowl presented by Citi in Pasadena, Calif. The ninth meeting between the traditional powers will kick off at 2:10 p.m. PT/5:10 p.m. ET and air on ABC, ESPN Radio and the Penn State Sports Network.
No. 6 Penn State will be playing in its 35th bowl game under Paterno (23rd New Year's bowl), who is the all-time leader in bowl appearances and wins (23-10-1 record).