Athletics

Barkley named Big Ten offensive player of the year

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was named the Big Ten's offensive player of the week. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Sophomore running back Saquon Barkley was recognized as the Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year Wednesday. Barkley was named to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and media, which made him a unanimous first team choice.

Sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley garnered All-Big Ten second team accolades from both the coaches and the media, while Mike Gesicki was a second team selection by the media and honorable mention pick by the coaches.

Joining Barkley, McSorley and Gesicki as postseason honorees are wide receiver Chris Godwin and center Brian Gaia. Godwin was an All-Big Ten third team honoree for the media and honorable mention for the coaches, while Gaia made the honorable mention list for the coaches and media,

On Tuesday, Penn State's James Franklin was named the Dave McClain Big Ten Coach of the Year as selected by the conference's media, while kicker Tyler Davis was selected to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and second team by the media. In addition, defensive end Garrett Sickels (Red Bank, N.J.) garnered second-team All-Big Ten accolades from the coaches and third-team honors from the media.

Additionally, defensive end Evan Schwan was selected to the All-Big Ten third team by both the coaches and media, while linebacker Jason Cabinda and Marcus Allen each claimed third team honors from the coaches and were named to the media's honorable mention team. Also on the Big Ten honorable mention squad were senior linebacker Brandon Bell, true freshman punter Blake Gillikin, junior defensive tackle Parker Cothren and sophomore cornerback John Reid. Senior long snapper Tyler Yazujian is Penn State's sportsmanship selection.

Last Updated December 2, 2016