STATE COLLEGE, Pa., January 27, 2004 - Penn State co-captain Deryck Toles has accepted an invitation to play in The Villages Gridiron Classic on Saturday, January 31.

The sixth annual contest, formerly known as the Rotary Gridiron Classic, will be played at The Villages Polo Stadium in The Villages, Fla., located approximately 60 miles north of Orlando. ESPN will televise the game live at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Toles is one of nine members of the 2003 Penn State squad to have played in a post-season all-star game. He previously played in the Blue-Gray Classic on Christmas Day.

Toles started every game last season at outside linebacker, finishing with 75 tackles, good for third on the squad. The Warren, Ohio standout recorded six tackles for loss, including three sacks, grabbed one interception, forced one fumble and recovered a fumble. Toles was elected a 2003 team co-captain and received one of the two Special Recognition Awards from the State College Quarterback Club at the Senior Banquet.

Toles was joined at the Blue-Gray Classic by Nittany Lion teammates Tony Johnson (wide receiver), tight end Matt Kranchick and tackle Chris McKelvy. Middle linebacker Gino Capone and safety Yaacov Yisrael played in the Hula Bowl, center Dave Costlow and tight end Sean McHugh played in the Las Vegas All-American Classic and cornerback Rich Gardner played in the Senior Bowl.