Penn State’s Barkley, Gesicki Named to Preseason AP All-America Team

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior running back Saquon Barkley and senior tight end Mike Gesicki were both selected to the Preseason Associated Press All-America team.

(Photo of Mike Gesicki. Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here)

Barkley is a preseason first-team All-American for Sporting News, Lindy’s, Street & Smith and Athlon Sports. Additionally, he was named the #5 player in FBS by SI.com and earned the #1 spot on Sports Illustrated’s “Feldman’s Freaks” list heading into the 2017 campaign. Barkley was stellar in 2016, claiming Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football for the Big Ten’s best player last season. Barkley was named to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and media, which made him a unanimous first team choice.

Barkley led the Big Ten and was fifth in the FBS in total touchdowns (22) and was tops in the conference and 21st nationally in all-purpose yards (140.86 ypg). The junior back was second in the conference and 24th nationally with 106.9 rushing yards per game. His 1,496 yards in 2016 broke the Penn State sophomore season record and rank fifth on the single-season charts. Barkley heads into his junior season 12th on Penn State’s career rushing yardage list (2,572) and 10th in career rushing touchdowns (25). Just the eighth player in program history to have multiple 1,000-yard seasons, Barkley had a streak of 14 consecutive games with at least one rush of 20 yards snapped at Rutgers (11/19), a streak that was the second-longest in college football in the last 20 years (19 – LaMichael James, Oregon (2008-10).

Gesicki, who is a preseason All-American according to Athlon, Street & Smith, Lindy’s and Sporting News, had a breakout campaign in 2016, breaking the Penn State single-season record for receptions and yardage by a tight end. His 48 catches broke the record held by Andrew Quarless (41; 2009) and his 679 receiving yards best Mickey Shuler’s previous mark of 600 receiving yards (1977). Gesicki also tied the Penn State season record for touchdown catches for a tight end (5) in 2016. He led the Big Ten and was tied for seventh nationally in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. For his efforts, Gesicki was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches. Gesicki has four or more catches in seven of his last 12 games.

Seats for Servicemembers Ticket Applications Now Being Accepted

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; August 22, 2017 – Active duty, guard and reserve military, veterans, and fallen and Gold Star families are now able to apply online for complimentary-donated tickets to the Penn State–Rutgers game on Saturday, Nov. 11 as part of the Seats for Servicemembers program at Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week.

In its sixth year, the program honors the commitment and sacrifices of veterans, families and loved ones by providing tickets at no cost to active and retired Servicemembers, as well as a complimentary pregame tailgate at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State supporters, alumni, and business donations have graciously made this possible.

Thanks to the generosity of Penn State supporters, tickets are now available for military members and veterans, their families and loved ones to request on a first-come, first-served basis to the Nov. 11 game. All active duty, Guard and Reserve military, veterans, and Fallen and Gold Star families are eligible to redeem one complimentary ticket for themselves and up to three additional complimentary seats for immediate family members. Additionally, all qualifying individuals are eligible to request up to five additional tickets for a discounted rate of just $35 per person. There will be 7,500 tickets available to be distributed — all sign-ups are simply requests until confirmed via email by Penn State Athletics.

There will be a number of events occurring throughout the week, as part of Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week, kicked off by the home football game against Rutgers. On Sunday, November 12, Penn State men’s basketball and Lady Lion basketball will be honoring Servicemembers throughout their doubleheader. The Lady Lions take on Drexel, while men’s basketball is slated to play Farleigh Dickinson. Military can request a $10 ticket per person, which includes admission into both games! Game times are TBD. For a full list of events occurring during Military Appreciation Week, please click here.

Supporters can still purchase Seats for Servicemembers tickets that will be distributed to military by clicking below or by calling 1-800-NITTANY, Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets for the Seats for Servicemembers program are only $35 per Servicemember. Penn State hosted 10,000 military members for the game against Iowa last season.

Active duty, guard and reserve military, veterans, and fallen and Gold Star families who already have game tickets for the November 11 game against Rutgers, they are encouraged to attend the pre-game tailgate at the Bryce Jordan Center. The event will require a ticket for admission, please call 1-800-NITTANY to request a ticket.

For more information about the Seats for Servicemembers program or to purchase tickets for the military, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit www.GoPSUsports.com/militaryappreciation.