Offense

Pennsylvania State University

Michael Robinson is the starting quarterback for Penn State this year. He is a redshirt senior that is listed at 6-2, 217 pounds. This year he threw for 2,350 yards, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and he completed 52.1% of his passes. His final quarterback rating was 127.2. He also ran for 806 yards averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Michael is the leader of the team on and off the field.

Tony Hunt’s hard-running, straight-ahead running style earned him the starting running back position over more highly touted players such as Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw. He is a junior whose 6-2, 219 pound frame allows him to run over defenders. He also has deceptive speed. In addition, he is an excellent pass catcher as he led the team in receptions in 2005. This year he rushed for 1,047 yards on 174 attempts. He averaged 6 yards per carry and had 6 touchdowns. Tony caught 30 passes this season for 206 yards. His combination of speed and power makes him one of the best running backs in college football.

BranDon Snow plays fullback at Penn State. He is a redshirt junior who is 6-1, 242 pounds. This past off-season Snow was moved from linebacker to his more natural position of fullback. He has excelled at the position this year, both as a punishing blocker and a powerful short yardage runner. He had 10 attempts for 24 yards and three touchdowns. BranDon also had 2 receptions for 12 yards. Snow may play less of a role in next year’s offense due to the emphasis placed on the spread offense.

Derrick Williams started in one of the receiver spots this year. He is a true freshman who enrolled in January of last year to get up to par with the competition. He is small at 6-0, 191 pounds, but he has lightning speed. Penn State utilized his speed in the passing and running game. He had 22 receptions for 289 yards (13.1 yards per catch) and 1 touchdown. He compiled all of these numbers despite missing the last 5 games with a broken arm he suffered against Michigan. He has added an explosive element to a once vanilla offense. Needless to say, he has lived up to the hype of being the number one recruit in the nation last year.

Deon Butler captured the other starting receiver spot. He is a redshirt freshman. He is even smaller than Williams at 5-10, 163 pounds. He moved from defensive back to his current position in the offense to bolster a weak receiving core. Butler was the leading receiver this year with 37 receptions for 691 yards, 18.7 yards per catch, and 9 touchdowns. He provided this offense with a deep threat this past season. Deon has been a great player despite starting out as a walk-on and earning a scholarship

Isaac Smolko is the starting tight end on the offense. He is a redshirt senior. Isaac is 6-5, 157 pounds. He had 13 receptions for 192 yards including one on a 4^th and long late in the game against Northwestern to save the drive that led to a game-winning touchdown by Derrick Williams. Although he dropped a few passes, he came up big in the clutch.

Levi Brown is the starting left tackle on the Nittany Lion offensive line. He is a redshirt junior who is 6-5, 324 pounds. He was the best member of a once weak offensive line. He made key blocks game in and game out. Brown has great size, skills, and athleticism. Levi also has great leadership, which will be much needed for next season when he is the only returning starting offensive lineman. He moved from defensive tackle to left tackle in 2003. He declined a chance to play in the pros to be able to play another year at Penn State.

Charles Rush is the starting left guard. He is a redshirt senior at 6-2, 304 pounds. He also moved to the offense in 2003. He has provided stability as he has started all of the games in both his junior and senior seasons. He is strong, experienced, and provides tenacity to the line. Rush and Brown provide a formidable tandem on the left side of the offensive line.

Lance Antolick is the starting center. He is a redshirt senior. He has spent 2 years as the backup center but this year, he gained the starting position because the former starter, E.Z. Smith committed an off-field infraction and missed multiple games. When Smith came back, they shared time at the position. Together, they did a good job providing protection in the middle of the line.

Tyler Reed is the starter at right guard. He is a redshirt senior. He is 6-4, 307 pounds. He is a 3-year starter at the position. He is a reliable blocker and pass protector. Tyler also has good mobility and strength. Reed plays with passion and provides more leadership to the line. He played great this season and was a strength on the offensive line.

John Wilson started the season as the right tackle. He is a 6-6, 317 pound redshirt senior. He was very productive as a starter. He had a determined attitude and good physical attributes, but midway through the season he was injured. Thus, 6-5, 306 pound senior Andrew Richardson stepped in. Richardson is an imposing player. He moved to tackle from tight end in 2003. When Wilson was injured, Richardson filled in and didn’t miss a beat.