Saquon Barkley honored as B1G Offensive Player of the Year during PSU basketball game
During a media timeout of Penn State’s game against Indiana on Wednesday night, Saquon Barkley got to hear the roar of the crowd without having to make a single play.
Ok, maybe it wasn’t a roar considering how empty the Bryce-Jordan Center was, but he still got a nice ovation.
The sophomore running back was honored as the B1G’s Offensive Player of the Year in State College on Wednesday and was presented with the award at midcourt. And during the presentation, there wasn’t a single person sitting in their seat:
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley was honored by the Penn State fans during that last media timeout. pic.twitter.com/ItTqdhdTap
— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 19, 2017
Proud to represent the Chicago Tribune in presenting the Silver Football as Big Ten co-player of the year to #PennState's Saquon Barkley pic.twitter.com/1vMHzEgQzB
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) January 19, 2017
Barkley was named the B1G’s Offensive Player of the Year and the conference’s top running back in 2016 for some impressive work on the field.
He rushed for 1,496 yards and 18 TDs in 14 games this season and also caught 28 passes for 402 yards and four scores. He averaged 106.9 yards per game and surpassed the 100-yard mark five times in 2016.
In the Rose Bowl, Barkley rushed for 194 yards and had 55 receiving yards while scoring three total touchdowns in a 52-49 loss to USC.
After a sensational sophomore campaign, Barkley is one of the leading candidates to bring home the Heisman Trophy in 2017.
Imagine the type of applause he would get if Barkley brought that award back to Happy Valley. Fans might actually fill the Bryce-Jordan Center just to recognize him, regardless of how well Penn State’s basketball team is doing next season.