University Park, Pa. — Penn State safety Andrew Dailey (Massillon, Ohio) has been selected Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt that was returned for a touchdown to spark Penn State to a 41-24 win over Indiana last Saturday in Landover, Md.
The Nittany Lions and Hoosiers were in the midst of a shootout, tied at 24-24 late in the third quarter, when Dailey made the play of the game to swing the momentum in the Nittany Lions’ favor for good. The Penn State defense forced IU to punt at its own 32 yard-line. Dailey came off edge and nearly swiped the ball off the foot of punter Chris Hagerup. The blocked punt bounced to the IU 20, where linebacker Jamie VanFleet (Williamsport) picked it up and ran it in to spark a 17-0 Penn State run to end the game. The touchdown was the first of VanFleet’s career.
Dailey shares his first career conference honor with Michigan State’s Denicos Allen, who blocked a Purdue punt late in the game to set-up the Spartans’ game-winning score.
The energizing play was Penn State’s first blocked punt for a touchdown since Matt Hahn scored vs. Michigan State in 2005.
Dailey also had Penn State’s last blocked punt prior to the play against the Hoosiers, as he blocked one vs. Eastern Illinois last year.
The former Washington High School standout has played in every game this year, with two starts, and has 13 tackles and one pass break-up in addition to his huge blocked punt. He is on schedule to graduate in December.
Winners of four of its last five games, Penn State will conclude the regular season with its Senior Day clash against No. 11/10 Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET in Beaver Stadium. The contest will air on ESPN or ESPN2, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
Tickets for the Michigan State game are available at www.GoPSUsports.com or by calling 814-865-5555 weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tickets also are available at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket office.