FEB Awards - 2007
Budnerick Award - Dan Connor
After 3 years of playing along side Paul Posluszny, Connor took over leading a defense which lost several key players to the NFL.
Connor's play on the field can easily be summed up by looking at the Penn State record book.
Connor moved into first place as Penn State's all-time leading tackler in 2007.
Englewood Award - Rodney Kinlaw
After a lot of uncertainty at the running back position in 2007, Rodney Kinlaw stepped up to be a
solid running back for Penn State. Kinlaw was not the starter coming into the season and he shared the RB duty
early on in the season, but Kinlaw proved he could play by having several 100 yd rushing games and he eclipsed the
1,000 yd rushing mark in 2007. Kinlaw also had an excellent performance in the Alamo Bowl where he rushed for over 100 yds.
A-Train Award - Derrick Williams
Everytime an opposing team sees #2 waiting deep for a punt or a kickoff, something bad is running through their mind.
Just ask Tom Zbikowski from Notre Dame. Dwill's intimidation factor earned him the 2007 A-Train award for his big play potential.
Dwill has been full of big plays his whole career at Penn State. His freshmen juke of A.J. Hawk in '05 or his punt return against ND in '07.
That punt return created one of the loudest roars in Beaver Stadium. For these and many others, we thank Derrick Williams.
Good luck in '08 Derrick! Bring it home your senior season.
Alumni Award - Terrell Golden
As one of the Tri-Captains in 2007, Golden displayed great leadership by showing his team how to get in the end zone and how to
carry yourself as a Nittany Lion. He displayed tremendous blocking and soft hands. Though he didn't start every game, he was always on the field.
Hampered by injuries most of his career, in 2008 Terrel finally was healthy. He helped the Lions embarrass a Wisconsin team in route to a blow out victory.
This was Golden's best game ever...one of the best in years for a PSU receiver. For starting slow and ending fast, Terrell Golden is the winner of the 2007 Alumni Award.
Lionshead Award - Dan Connor
After 2006, Connor was the next in line to lead another solid defense in 2007. Connor did what was expected and more. He was the keystone for the defensive wall he led. What is an MVP?
It's not the guy with the most touchdowns or best stats, it's the guy with the pride and tradition riding on his shoulder pads every game. Connor came to Penn State with high expectations, he left with a lot of hardware to prove he lived up to them.
Congrats to Dan Connor as the Lionshead Award winner for the MVP of 2007.