UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; October 22, 2007 –- Sophomore defensive end Maurice Evans (Brooklyn, N.Y.) delivered a superlative effort in Penn State’s 36-31 victory at Indiana as he continues his emergence as one of top defensive linemen in the nation.
Evans has been selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, joining teammates Dan Connor and Sean Lee as conference defensive honorees this season.
Evans recorded six tackles (five solo), setting career-highs with 4.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks for minus-36, two forced fumbles, a 55-yard fumble return and a pass break-up in the win over the Hoosiers.
Late in the third quarter, Evans made the play of the game. Indiana had a first down at the PSU 19, trailing 23-17, when Evans sacked Kellen Lewis, forcing a fumble at the PSU 32, which he picked up and returned 55 yards to the IU 13, losing one of his shoes along the way. Kevin Kelly made a 21-yard field goal to extend the lead to 26-17.
Evans continued his torrid play on IU’s next possession. He grabbed Lewis’ jersey and swung him around, forcing a fumble that DT Phil Taylor recovered at the IU 7. Kelly connected on a 20-yard attempt to push the lead to 29-17 with 12:30 to play.
A standout at Christ The King High School, Evans recently was added to the Mid-season Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive end.
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