Zemaitis and Johnson win conference honors

Two members of Penn State's highly rated defense have been recognized by the Big Ten Conference for their efforts in the Nittany Lions' 31-22 win over Michigan State Saturday to clinch the Big Ten Championship.

Senior cornerback Alan Zemaitis, who grabbed a career-high three interceptions, was selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Junior safety Donnie Johnson, who blocked a punt and collected his first career interception, was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week.

The selections bring Penn State's total for Big Ten honorees this season to eight.

The All-America candidate led the defensive charge by intercepting three passes, the most by a Nittany Lion since Darren Perry had three against Boston College in 1991. Zemaitis also tied his season-high with seven solo tackles and had another pass break-up.

Johnson delivered the game's biggest play when he crashed through the line and recorded his third career block, which Hahn gathered as he crossed the goal line for a 10-0 lead midway through the second period. The block was Penn State's first since Johnson blocked a punt against Michigan State last season and the Lions' first block for a score since Andrew Guman vs. Indiana in 2003.