Dec. 8, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Standout wide receiver Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.) was presented the Hall Foundation Award as Penn State's outstanding senior player to highlight the State College Quarterback Club's annual banquet honoring the Nittany Lion football team.

A crowd of approximately 900 packed the main ballroom at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on Sunday evening to honor the Big Ten Champions.

A co-captain, Williams has started 37 games over the past three seasons and has made a dynamic impact for the Nittany Lions. He ranks No. 3 in Penn State career receptions (157) , No. 5 in career all-purpose yardage (4,076 yards) and No. 10 in career Receiving Yardage (1,709). Williams has returned five career kicks (3 punts, 2 kickoffs) for touchdowns, the most of any player in the Joe Paterno era.

Williams was a first team All-Big Ten selection and was named to five Mid-season All-America teams. He is the only player in the nation to return three kicks (2 kickoffs, 1 punt) for scores and is the only player in the nation with touchdowns via the rush, reception, kick return and punt return. The former National Player of the Year at Eleanor Roosevelt High School has gained 1,332 all-purpose yards this season, including 451 yards on 40 receptions, with three touchdowns, 486 on 18 kickoff returns and 226 on 39 rushes, with three touchdowns.

Williams gained a career-high 241 all-purpose yards in the 38-24 win over Illinois this year, becoming the first player in the Paterno era to score via a rush, reception and kick return in the same game. Williams is on schedule to graduate this month.

In addition to the player awards (see below), former Nittany Lion player and assistant coach Dan Radakovich was presented the Alumni Athlete Award. A Penn State letterman in 1955 and `56, he began a coaching career that spanned 50 years as a graduate assistant coach with the Nittany Lions in 1957. Radakovich was a full-time Penn State assistant from 1960-69, coaching the linebackers, and is credited with starting the "Linebacker U" legacy. He worked with All-American linebackers Dennis Onkotz (1968-69), Jack Ham (1970) and Charlie Zapiec (1971) during their careers.

Radakovich then embarked on an 18-year tenure in the National Football League, including two stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was instrumental in the development of the "Steel Curtain," helping the Steelers to a pair of their Super Bowl titles from 1974-77. Radakovich's final coaching stop was at Robert Morris.

Other award winners were:

- Richard Maginnis Memorial Award (outstanding offensive lineman) - senior center A.Q. Shipley (Coraopolis);

- John Bruno, Jr. Memorial Award (outstanding member of special teams) - senior kicker Kevin Kelly (Langhorne);

- Ridge Riley Award (senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship") - senior tackle Gerald Cadogan (Portsmouth, Ohio);

- Robert B. Mitinger, Jr. Award (senior who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility) - Senior wide receivers Deon Butler (Woodbridge, Va.) and Jordan Norwood (State College).

- Quarterback Club Special Awards - senior cornerback Tony Davis (Warren, Ohio) and senior defensive end and co-captain Josh Gaines (Ft. Wayne, Ind.);

- Walk-on Award (walk-on player(s) who exemplifies total commitment, loyalty, hard work and courage) - senior safety Greg Miskinis (Lewistown);

The Football Letterman's Club Joe and Sue Paterno Post-Graduate Scholarship was presented for the first time to senior quarterback Paul Cianciolo (Charleston, S.C.). Cianciolo, who graduated with a 3.94 grade point average in finance, also was the recipient of the Nittany Lion Club Academic Achievement Award.

The Penn State Coaches' Loyalty and Commitment Award was presented for the first time. The coaching staff selects squad members who have consistently demonstrated loyalty, commitment and dedication to the Football program. The initial recipients were: senior guard Mike Lucian (New Market, Md.), senior guard Rich Ohrnberger (East Meadow, N.Y.), senior safety Mark Rubin (Amherst, N.Y.), senior linebacker Tyrell Sales (Butler), senior cornerback Lydell Sargeant (Lompoc, Calif.) and senior safety Anthony Scirrotto (West Deptford, N.J.).

The No. 6 Nittany Lions (11-1) won the Big Ten Championship and will play No. 5/4 Southern California (11-1) in the 95th Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009. The ninth meeting between the traditional powers will kick at 2:10 p.m. PT in Pasadena, Calif. and air on ABC, ESPN Radio and the Penn State Sports Network.

The Nittany Lions will be playing in their third Rose Bowl. 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).