Group C - Vote for all of these guys!!! - 2theLion BCS

Round One - Group C - impossible (almost) to choose...

Paul Posluszny vs Michael Zordich (the elder)

Paul Posluszny, LB (2003-2007)
Look at the picture. Is there any question why this old school linebacker is on the bracket? And what is more manly than perpetually having a bleeding wound on the bridge of your nose during football season? And let’s not forget that one of our contributors met him in person!

Michael Zordich (the elder), Hero (1982-1985)
Think back to the 80s…big hair, leg warmers, acid denim and Micheal Zordich Sr. Mick, Sr played the strong safety – aka the ‘hero’ – for the Penn State squad. The Nittany Lions were undefeated during regular season play his senior year and he went on to play a number of years in the NFL. Currently he’s the safety coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (don’t hold that against him…) and you may know at least 1 of his sons – Michael Zordich, Jr…

Bill Luther v Scott Radecic

Bill Luther, Quarterback (1947 - 1949)
Under the mentoring of Penn State patriarch, Bob Higgins, Luther was a passer and a runner for the Lions. He played on the storied 1947 Cotton Bowl team that fought back to tie SMU 13-13. Early evidence of PSU's penchant for chin dimples...

Scott Radecic, Linebacker (1980 - 1983)
An Academic All-American on a championship team, Radecic helped lead a defense of star athletes. Standing tall on the field, he and his teammates systematically dismantled the greatest that college football had to offer, defeating Marcus Allen in 1982 (Fiesta) and Hershel Walker in 1983 (Sugar). After football Radecic applied his Architectural Engineering degree to the sports business and tech industry, working for the stadium/arena/anywhere people congregate company, Populous.

Jimmy Cefalo v Courtney Brown

Jimmy Cefalo, WR (1974-1977)
“Mrs. Cefalo, this pasta is better than Mrs. Cappalletti’s.” Said Jimmy Cefalo, on January 26, 2012, recalling Joe Paterno's skill at "recruiting mothers." Cefalo, from Pitson, PA, played wide receiver for Penn State, averaging nearly 20 yards (18.9) per pass play and over 1,800 career all-purpose yards. Cefalo’s playing career continued with the Miami Dolphins, where he served as a consistent asset to their offense. After retiring, Cefalo moved into sports broadcasting on both television and radio... and wine.

Courtney Brown, DL (1996-1999)
1999 All-American and 1st pick over-all in the 2000 NFL draft, Courtney Brown was a dominant force on the defensive line. Brown recorded 33 sacks and 70 T-F-Ls during his time with the Lions. After a promising rookie year in Cleveland, the balance of Brown's career was marred by injuries; despite reduced playing time, he still got in the backfield more than most.

Curt Warner vs Gerald Cadogan

Curt Warner, RB (1979-1982)
Warner was a premier running back and student-athlete. He combined strength, speed and smarts to make the most of every play. A huge part of the 1982 Championship team, Warner ran for 1041 yards that season, finishing with a career total 3398 rushing yards. Always a team player, Warner might have won a few more awards had he gone to another school, with a different offensive scheme; as it is, he was drafted #3 overall in the 1983 NFL draft (behind Elway & Dickerson).

Gerald Cadogan, OT (2005-2008)
It is not rare to find intelligent, well-rounded young men playing football for Penn State, but Gerald Cadogan took this to a new level as a great student, athlete, musician and ambassador for the university. Sure he was a 2x Academic All-American, 3x Academic All-Big Ten and named to the All Big Ten offensive squad his senior year; but he was also awarded the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award that season. A gifted musician, Cadogan plays multiple instruments and is an avid singer. He has released 2 gospel albums and sang the National Anthem for Barack Obama's visit to Penn State in 2008.



Matt McGloin vs Chris Bahr

Matt McGloin, QB (2008-2012)
A walk-on quarterback from Scranton, PA, Matt McGloin out moxied the scholarship players ahead of him to make his way, not only on the field, but into the starting line-up. During his senior season, McGloin metamorphasized into a poised and accurate passer, eclipsing any possible expectations that had been set - as well as a few records along the way. 

Chris Bahr, K, P (1973-1975)
A 3x All-American for soccer and 1x for football, Chris Bahr is one of Penn State's all-time great kickers. Bahr was drafted by the Philadelphia Atoms (part of the North American Soccer League) after leaving Penn State. But, following a very successful rookie season, Bahr entered the NFL draft and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1976). He is probably best known for his long career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, during which he won 2 Super Bowl rings. Bahr's father is long-time PSU Men's soccer coach, Walter Bahr, and his brother, Matt, is another great PSU (and Super Bowl winning) kicker.

Shane Conlin vs AQ Shipley 

Shane Conlin, Linebacker (1982-1986)
Think back to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl…you may have visions of DJ Dozier’s game winning touchdown dancing in your head. But how and who set him up for this?  None other than Shane Conlan, who returned his second interception of the game 38 yards to the Miami 5 yard line setting up that game winning run. Without Shane we probably wouldn’t have won that game and the national championship.



AQ Shipley, Center (2005-2008)
I will personally never forget watching the 2009 Combine and hearing them talk about the short arms of AQ.  Up until then I never noticed this because he was an awesome center who delivered the ball consistently to his quarterback and then threw a couple blocks. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines during his time at Penn State and was a natural born leader of the team. Little known fact about AQ is that as part of the combine he took (as do all prospects) the Wonderlic Test (used to measure math, vocabulary, and reasoning and scored an impressive 40, while the average for prospects is 20 (average intelligence). 

Franco Harris v Al Golden

Franco Harris, RB (1968-1971)
Likely the most famous Penn Stater in Pennsylvania, Harris was a great college player. He was, however, often referred to as the blocking back for the (then) record-breaking Lydel Mitchell. Franco’s brilliance disapated any lingering shadow during his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A vital part of many of their Super Bowl teams, Franco’s 1972 “Immaculate Reception” is still touted as the greatest play in the history of the game.

 


Al Golden, Tight End (1987-1991)
A 3 year letter winner, Golden was a leader among his teammates and served as captain his senior year; on the field he played a big part in one of Penn State’s biggest wins of his tenure, defeating (then) #1 Notre Dame in South Bend in 1990. After graduation he moved into coaching, spending time at UVA, BC and Penn State, before he returned to UVA to serve as their Defensive Coordinator. Golden got his first head coaching job at Temple, when he took over a program ravaged by academic and performance problems. His work at Temple brought the program back from the brink of closure into a bowl eligible team. In 2011 he took the head coach job at Miami.

Daryll Clark vs Keith Goganious

Darryl Clark, QB (2005 - 2009)
Darryl’s uniqueness spanned from his ability to relate with and learn from his elders, to his patient ambition, to his mobile classic quarterback mechanics. Waiting for his turn to be the first off the bus, Clark led his 2008 team to a Big Ten Championship and a ticket to the Rose Bowl. His enthusiasm for the sport, his team and his coach was infectious.

Keith Goganious, Linebacker (1987-1991)
Donning a pretty great number, Keith Goganious continued the storied tradition of the Penn State Linebacker during his time at Penn State. A three sport star at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, VA, Goganious was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1992 NFL draft and played in the pros for 5 years. He is now the Defensive Coordinator for Hampton University, fielding a consistently dominant FCS defensive squad.