| Drew Astorino |
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Drew Astorino knows the kind of effort and determination it takes to win a championship. After leading General McLane HS to a pair of state titles as a senior, Astorino added one more championship to his resume in 2008. He played a key role in a senior-laden secondary for the Nittany Lions' second Big Ten title team in four years. Astorino quickly has developed into one of the most aggressive defensive backs in the huddle. In just his second year on the field, he will be the team's second-most experienced defensive back and is ready to transition into the starting lineup this fall at free safety. A multi-skilled, instinctive and intelligent athlete, Astorino has demonstrated the skills and work ethic to be a leader in the secondary this season. The 2006 Pennsylvania Class AAA Player-of-the-Year, he led General McLane to the Class AAA football and basketball state titles in 2006-07. General McLane became just the second school to win both state crowns in the same academic year. He scored the game-winning fourth-quarter touchdown in the 28-23 win over Pottsville in the 2006 state title game. On the hardwood, he hit the game-winning shot with :02 left to play, giving his school a 57-55 win over Greencastle Antrim in the 2007 Class AAA state championship game in the Bryce Jordan Center. With a nose for the football, Astorino has a knack for being in position to make a play on any given down and should be a significant contributor the next three seasons. A 2008 Academic All-Big Ten honoree, he is one of 10 returning Nittany Lions from western Pennsylvania.
2008 Sophomore Season
Astorino logged considerable playing time amongst the senior-laden secondary. He saw action in every game, making three starts, as the top reserve to All-Big Ten free safety Anthony Scirrotto. He recorded 39 tackles (29 solo), with one tackle for loss and four pass breakups. Astorino also tied for second on the squad with two interceptions. He tallied five tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup in the 45-14 win over Oregon State. He grabbed his first career interception and had three tackles in the win at Syracuse. He made his first collegiate start against Temple, recording a season-high seven tackles (five solo) and one pass breakup. Against Illinois, Astorino had two tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Earning a start at Purdue, Astorino tallied three solo tackles and returned an interception 29 yards into Purdue territory. He recorded three solo tackles and a pass breakup against Michigan and made two tackles in a start in the big win at Ohio State. Astorino finished the regular-season with a season-high tying seven solo tackles in the 49-18 win over Michigan State to clinch the Big Ten title. He was on the field for 483 snaps, led by 56 each in the victories over Michigan and Purdue. Astorino was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Astorino made a game-high tying six tackles and grabbed an interception in the 2008 Blue-White game.
High School
An outstanding athlete at General McLane HS, Astorino was named the 2006 Pennsylvania Class AAA Player-of-the-Year after he led both the football and basketball teams to state titles. General McLane became only the second school in PIAA history to win both the football and basketball crowns in the same academic year. Playing for Coach Jim Wells, Astorino recorded 68 tackles, seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his senior year and rushed for 1,200 yards and 24 touchdowns. Astorino also was a two-time first-team all-state selection and a Big 33 pick. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a 20-yard run with 4:55 to play to lead General McLane to a 28-23 win over Pottsville in the 2006 Class AAA state title game. On the hardwood, Astorino hit the game-winning shot with :02 left to play, giving his school a 57-55 win over Greencastle Antrim in the 2007 Class AAA state championship game in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Personal
Full name is Andrew Jacob Astorino. He is the son of Gary and Terri Astorino. He has a younger sister, Lauren, and younger brother, Matt. His father wrestled at Edinboro University. When not on the playing field, Astorino enjoys fishing, golfing, movies and video games. He is an education major and aspires to be a social studies teacher. Born July 20, 1988 in Edinboro, Pa.
Astorino's 2008 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Coastal Carolina 1-0-1; Oregon State 5-4-1; Syracuse 3-2-1; Temple 7-5-2; Illinois 2-1-1; Purdue 3-3-0; Wisconsin 2-1-1; Michigan 3-3-0; Ohio State 2-1-1; Iowa 1-1-0; Indiana 1-0-1; Michigan State 7-7-0; USC 2-1-1.
