UNIVERSITY PARK - The 2012 Penn State football team had its doubters after the sanctions branching from the child sex abuse scandal involving former coach Jerry Sandusky were levied against the team.
Perhaps doubt has been erased after the All-Big Ten Conference Football Team, which was recently released, hit the media.
Penn State's record of 8-4 placed it in second place behind Ohio State for the Leaders Division, and gave the Nittany Lions a third place tie for overall best Big Ten record. But if the team did better than many expected, it was in part because of strong performances from individual players, many of whom were honored on the all-conference team.
On both the coaches' all-conference list and the media's all-conference list, Penn State made a strong showing, with six players on either the first or second team for the coaches, and seven first or second-team players chosen by the media. Between both lists, eight players, including senior quarterback Matt McGloin, also received honorable mention.
One standout on the list included Michael Mauti, who was voted first-team linebacker by the coaches and the media. Mauti's outstanding defensive play placed him third the Big Ten in fumbles forced with three, fifth in interceptions with three and seventh in tackles with 96.
Other standouts included Allen Robinson, first-team receiver on both lists, who lead the Big Ten with 77 receptions and 1,018 yards. Gerald Hodges also made second-team linebacker on both lists, and was fifth in the Big Ten in tackles with 109.
