Penn State Football News

January 29, 2007

Hunt Becomes Third Nittany Lion Running Back To Earn Senior Bowl MVP Honors

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., January 29, 2007 – There have been only three shutouts in the 58-year history of the Senior Bowl.

And all three times a Penn State running back was selected the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Nittany Lion standout Tony Hunt (Alexandria, Va.) earned the game’s top honor Saturday, as he propelled the North to a 27-0 victory over the South in Mobile, Ala. Penn State’s No. 2 rusher of all-time with 3,320 yards, Hunt ran for a seven-yard touchdown on the North’s opening possession. He finished with 39 yards on eight carries and made two receptions for 13 yards for a team-high 52 all-purpose yards in a game that was played in a steady rain. Hunt, who ran for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006, gained 25 yards on five attempts in the first quarter, as the North took a 10-0 lead into the second period.

The 2007 Outback Bowl MVP, Hunt said he spoke to former Penn State standout Michael Robinson, a running back with the San Francisco 49ers, who was the leading rusher in the 2006 Senior Bowl.

“I actually talked to Michael Robinson and he gave me some good advice,” Hunt told the Mobile Press-Register after the game. “He told me to make plays and go all out because that’s what Penn State does. I think I did that. Being able to come out here on this kind of stage is a great opportunity for me. It means a lot to represent Penn State.”

Hunt joined Larry Johnson (2003, 17-0) and Blair Thomas (1990, 41-0) as Penn State running backs that have earned Senior Bowl MVP honors, helping the North record a shutout.

Penn State All-Americans Levi Brown (Norfolk, Va.) and Paul Posluszny (Aliquippa) also helped the North win on Saturday. Brown helped the North gain 17 first downs, with 110 yards rushing and 264 yards of total offense. Posluszny and the defense forced seven fumbles, three of which the North recovered, a held the South to six first downs, minus-35 yards rushing and 93 total yards.

Posluszny was selected a North team tri-captain by Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, who was head coach of the North.

A total of six Nittany Lions played in 2007 all-star games. Defensive tackle Jay Alford (Orange, N.J.), tackle Ed Johnson (Detroit) and end Tim Shaw (Livonia, Mich.) played in the Hula Bowl.

Source: Penn State Sports Information Department