Nittany Lion senior quarterback honored for being nation’s top player who started career as a walk-on
SPRINGDALE, Ark.; December 3, 2012 — Penn State senior quarterback Matt McGloin (Scranton) was honored today by the Springdale Rotary Club as the winner of the Third Annual Burlsworth Trophy, presented to the nation’s outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.
The record-setting signal-caller broke nine school passing records and tied another during his impressive senior campaign and was honored at a banquet in Springdale, Ark. With the other finalists.
The Burlsworth Trophy was first presented in 2010 in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, a former All-American and walk-on offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas. Burlsworth died in an automobile accident 11 days after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. The previous winners of the trophy are Austin Davis (Southern Miss) in 2011 and Sean Bedford (Georgia Tech) in 2010.
“It is great for the University,” said McGloin. “To be honored as the top walk-on for this year’s graduating class is a great honor. I wouldn’t have been able to be here without the support of my family, teammates, coaches and fans. It’s really because of those people that I am where I am today and am able to win such a prestigious award.”
“To learn about Brandon and what he stood for and what he went through is incredible,” McGloin said. “To win an award with such distinction and emotion attached to it is truly a great honor. I was blessed to even be a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, but to win it is even a bigger honor. I want to thank Barbara Burlsworth, the Springdale Rotary Club, the Burlsworth Foundation and everyone else involved in this event. It has been an amazing experience and they have all been such great hosts.”
The other finalists were safety Jordan Kovacs (Michigan) and tackle David Quessenberry (San Jose State). Fifty players were nominated for the 2012 Burlsworth Trophy.
“Today took me back to the beginning of my career,” said McGloin. “(This week) I looked back at what I have gone through and the journey that I have taken at Penn State and to be recognized for my accomplishments and the way that I got to Penn State is a true blessing. I am fortunate to be in the company of such great people that are involved with this award and to win such an amazing award today is just indescribable.”
McGloin joined the Nittany Lions in 2008 and has emerged as one of Penn State’s most prolific signal-callers in its 126-year history. A starter in 10 games prior to this season, McGloin was named the starting quarterback in June and flourished in Coach Bill O’Brien’s offense, starting all 12 games this year.
The former West Scranton High School standout broke nine school records and tied another during his superlative senior campaign. He was instrumental in helping the Nittany Lions win eight of their last 10 games, compiling an 8-4 overall record and 6-2 Big Ten mark, finishing second in the Leaders Division.
For the season, McGloin was 270 of 446 (60.5) for 3,266 yards, with 24 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. He also was second on the team with five touchdown runs. An honorable mention All-Big Ten choice, McGloin was selected Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 19 after throwing for 395 yards, just four yards off the school record, and a career-high tying four touchdowns in Penn State’s 45-22 win over Indiana.
McGloin led the Big Ten in passing yards (272.2 ypg) by 25 yards per game. He also led the conference in completions (270) and touchdown passes (24) and fewest interceptions among the Big Ten starting signal-callers. McGloin threw at least one touchdown pass in his last 13 consecutive regular season games, with multiple TD passes in eight games this season.
Under McGloin’s direction, Penn State led the Big Ten in total offense (437.0 ypg) in conference games and was second in scoring offense (32.6 ppg) and pass offense (283.1 ypg) against Big Ten foes. McGloin led the Nittany Lions to more than 500 yards of total offense three times in conference play, topped by 546 yards vs. Indiana, its highest total against a Big Ten foe since gaining 557 yards against Michigan State in 2008.
McGloin’s Penn State records include:
– Career touchdown passes (46)
– Season touchdown passes (24-tied)
– Season completions (270)
– Season passing yardage (3,266)
– Season pass attempts (446)
– Single game completions (35)
– Career 300-yard passing games (6)
– Career 200-yard passing games (18)
– Season 200-yard passing games (11)
– Consecutive 200-yard passing games (10)
McGloin earned his degree in journalism last May and is working on a second degree, in telecommunications.
