Penn State’s 2012 football season for the ages

While Mauti was expected to be a star this year, McGloin’s emergence as the best passer was a surprise _ and a testament to the coaching job by O’Brien in his first season. The former Patriots offensive coordinator and position coach to star quarterback Tom Brady had McGloin running the Nittany Lions’ new up-tempo offense to near-perfection by year’s end.

McGloin averaged a league-best 272.6 yards passing and completed more than 60 percent of his 446 pass attempts with just five interceptions. He displayed his trademark confidence _ which some people equate to a cocky swagger _ but was held in check if he went too far by O'Brien and quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher.

A former walk-on, McGloin finished with 24 touchdown passes to tie Daryll Clark (2009) for the school’s single-season record. Under O'Brien’s tutelage, McGloin also set school records this year for single-season passing yardage (3,266) and career touchdown passes (46).

Mauti was asked how the senior class would be remembered.

“I don’t know if I can even really put that in words right now,” he said. “Maybe in a couple of years from now I’ll be able to look back and answer. I am just proud to be a part of it. It’s been the most fun I’ve ever had playing with the people I’ve never been closer to.”

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