ALTOONA, Pa. -- It's been a long, tough road for Jake Pinegar, but the kicker finally received a major recognition Monday.
Pinegar was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, after drilling all three of his field-goal attempts in Penn State's 30-0 win over Maryland on Saturday. He nailed one kick from 50 yards, matching his career high.
It was the first Big Ten weekly award of Pinegar's career, which has included a lot of ups and downs.
"I'm so happy for him," James Franklin said after Saturday's win. "Playing his tail off. Talk about a guy who was the starter, lost his starting job, stuck it out, stayed here, became the starter again and is playing really well right now."
Pinegar is 11-of-13 on field goals this season, with a pair of 50-yarders. The senior is also 41-of-44 on PATs.
Pinegar was asked after the game about how much better he is now than two years ago, when he was the starter before losing the job.
"I would say day and night," he said. "I'm day and night better than last year, I'd say because of getting older and getting around more people in practice, getting stronger. I've been here a long time. I'm comfortable right now."
SINGLETON HONORED AGAIN
Nicholas Singleton received his third Big Ten award as the top freshman of the week, after rushing for 122 yards and two TDs on 11 carries against the Terps. He also received the award after the Ohio and Auburn games.
Singleton broke loose on two fourth-and-1 carries and took both to the house, from 45 and 27 yards. It was his third 100-yard game of the season.
The freshman also has six carries of more than 40 yards this season and leads Penn State with 801 yards rushing, averaging 6.51 yards per carry.
MCNEIL NO LONGER ON TEAM
Freshman offensive lineman Maleek McNeil is no longer listed on Penn State's roster, as of Monday.
McNeil was a 3-star recruit from New York, a 6-foot-7, 340-pound tackle. He was rated the No. 6 prospect in New York and the No. 82 tackle in the country coming out of high school.
He enrolled at Penn State in June and did not see any action this season. He did travel to two road games.
Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein was asked about McNeil last week and said, “Maleek is working hard, and we continue to develop him."
We'll see if Franklin has more information on McNeil during his weekly press conference Tuesday.
STOLL UP FOR SNAPPER AWARD
Long snapper Chris Stoll is one of 10 semifinalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation's top long snapper each season.
Stoll is in his fourth season as the Lions' long snapper and has appeared in 44 games, plus he's a team captain. He's also in his third season as president of Penn State's Uplifting Athletes chapter.
Given his longevity and off-the-field success, Stoll would seem to have an outstanding shot at winning this national award.
The three finalists will be announced Nov. 28, and the winner will be announced Dec. 10.
The award is named after former Duke and Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, who played 16 years in the NFL (1998-2013).
FRANKLIN ON VIRGINIA
The tragic story out of Virginia on Monday, in which three football players were killed and two others wounded by a former football player, has drawn condolence responses from around the country.
Franklin released this statement on Twitter:
As a father & coach, I am heartbroken by the news in Charlottesville. My thoughts & prayers are with Coach Elliott, UVA Football & the entire UVA community.
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) November 14, 2022
