More honors for Penn State's Still

PENN STATE'S fifth-year senior defensive tackle Devon Still yesterday added the Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year Award to the conference's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year Award he received a night earlier.

The 6-5, 305-pounder from Wilmington, Del., by way of his native Camden, might not be finished adding to his hardware collection. He is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Awards, presented to the nation's top defensive player, as well as for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's premier interior lineman.

Still's recognition as one of the most accomplished players at his position reflects not only the 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks he has registered this season, but the perseverance he demonstrated while recuperating from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and a broken left ankle earlier in his college career.

"Devon has worked so hard and deserves all the accolades he is receiving," said Penn State interim coach Tom Bradley of Still, who was routinely doubled-team by opposing blockers.

A team co-captain, Still is the fifth Nittany Lion, all voted first-team All-Americas, to be selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He joins linebacker LaVar Arrington (1998), defensive end Courtney Brown (1999), defensive end Michael Haynes (2002) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (2009).