Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State Football: James Franklin, Saquon Barkley Earn Major Big Ten Honors

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Penn State’s James Franklin and Saquon Barkley earned top Big Ten honors.

With the Penn State Nittany Lions earning a win in the Big Ten Championship, it’s no surprise that individual honors will follow.

Sophomore running back Saquon Barkley had a superb season as a leader of the Nittany Lion offense. He finished with 1,302 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He also added 347 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

He accounted for two total touchdowns in the win over Wisconsin.

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For his efforts, Barkley has been named the Associated Press’ Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the All-Big Ten first team. Earlier, Barkley was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by the conference.

Head coach James Franklin, who was believed by many to be on the hot season after his team’s 2-2 start, managed a remarkable turnaround. The Nittany Lions head into the Rose Bowl riding a nine-game win streak. The Associated Press named Franklin the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Aside from Barkley and Franklin, two other Nittany Lions earned Associated Press recognition. Quarterback Trace McSorley, who threw for 3,360 yards and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions, was named to the All-Big Ten second team. Kicker Tyler Davis also garnered All-Big Ten second team honors. Davis connected on 22 of his 24 field goal attempts and converted all 55 extra points this season.

The Nittany Lions came in ranked No. 5 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings and will take on the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl on January 2.

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