6 Penn State players named all-Big Ten

Six Penn State players were named Monday to the 2012 all-Big Ten teams as selected in separate balloting by conference coaches and by news media that cover the league. Linebacker Michael Mauti and wide receiver Allen Robinson won awards for being the best at their positions.

Mauti, Robinson, and senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill were named to the first team by the coaches and the media. Two offensive linemen, senior center Matt Stankiewitch and junior guard John Urschel, made the coaches' first team. Redshirt freshman Kyle Carter, from Bear, Del., earned a first-team nod at tight end from the media.

Mauti, a senior who missed the Nittany Lions' final game because of a knee injury, was voted the Big Ten's linebacker of the year, an award named after Dick Butkus and Pat Fitzgerald. Robinson was the conference's wide receiver of the year, winning the award named after Pat Richter and Desmond Howard.

Senior linebacker Gerald Hodges, a former star at Paulsboro High School, was named second-team all-Big Ten by the coaches and the media. Stankiewitch and Urschel made the second team on the media's squad.

Mauti ranked among the conference leaders in tackles with 8.64 per game. He also made three interceptions and forced three fumbles.

Robinson, a sophomore, enjoyed a breakout season with 77 catches for 1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the conference in all three categories.

Nittany notes. Penn State coach Bill O'Brien is one of 16 semifinalists for coach of the year as presented by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia. The Big Ten will announce its coach of the year on Tuesday. . . . Two players from Penn State received weekly honors from the Big Ten - Hill as defensive player of the week and sophomore kicker Sam Ficken as special team player of the week. Hill had 12 tackles, including two sacks, against Wisconsin and Ficken kicked three field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.