Penn State outside linebacker Paul Posluszny has been selected a semifinalist for the 36th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank. The award is presented to the nation's top lineman or linebacker.

The 6-2, 234-pound Posluszny is one of 12 semifinalists for the prestigious honor. He is one of only three non-seniors to make the cut. Four finalists will be selected in mid-November and the winner will be announced December 7 at the gala Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner. The dinner, which benefits the American Cancer Society, will be held at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Downtown Houston.

Earlier this month, Posluszny became the first Big Ten student-athlete to be selected a football player of the week three consecutive times in any of the categories in which football honors are selected (offense, defense and special teams). The Big Ten began selecting football players of the week in 1987.

The first junior to be elected a team captain since 1968, Posluszny leads the Nittany Lions with 82 tackles to rank third in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation at 11.7 tackles per game. He has 6.5 tackles for loss (minus-24), two sacks and two pass break-ups.