Wilkes-sem Chamber Orchestra Performs Sunday

15 Arrested In County Drug Sweep

By JERRY KELLAR Times Leader Sports Writer
 Friday, November 12, 1999 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1C 





In his final year, Jerry Sandusky is doing his best to leave a legacy at
Penn State. The veteran Penn State defensive coordinator learned Thursday
that two of his linebackers - senior Brandon Short and junior LaVar Arrington
- were among the four finalists for the Butkus Award, given each year to the
nation's best linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando. The
Nittany Lions standouts join Kansas State's Mark Simoneau and Tennessee's
Raynoch Thompson on the list. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I've been fortunate to be able to work with some great athletes and some
great coaches,'' said Sandusky, who after 32 years on the Penn State sidelines
will retire following the 1999 season. ``I'm just really happy for both of
them. They certainly deserve it.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is the first time in the award's 15-year history that one team has had
two players make the final cut. Shane Conlan in 1986 was the last Nittany Lion
to be a finalist. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's amazing, I'm just so honored,'' said Short, the team's co-captain
and emotional leader. ``The Butkus Award was a goal I'd set for myself.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Short, of McKeesport, leads the squad with 78 tackles, including nine for
losses and two sacks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Every day since he's been at Penn State (Brandon) has prepared for this
moment,'' Sandusky said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So, too, has Arrington. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The Butkus Award is something I dreamed about,' Arrington said. ``This is
a great feeling for me. I'm proud.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Arrington, considered the front-runner for the award, has 60 tackles,
including 16 for minus-88 yards, eight sacks (minus-69), an interception, a
forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and six pass break-ups. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also has blocked two extra point attempts. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Ol' number 11 suffers from a lack of athletic ability,'' Sandusky joked.
``He's just a fantastic athlete. He does some incredible things.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Since Pittsburgh native Arrington and Short have been competing against
each other for most of their athletic lives, they agree it's only fitting they
go head-to-head for the prestigious Butkus Award. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``To do it along with LaVar is great,'' Short said. ``If I can't win it, I
would love to see him win it.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Arrington wasn't quite as gracious. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I told Brandon I wanted him to win it last year,'' he said. ``This year,
he's gonna have to beat me for it.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The competition is stiff, to be sure. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 K-State's Simoneau has made 71 tackles, including 16 for loss, and 2.5
sacks. He also has two interceptions, three pass break-ups and has forced two
fumbles. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Mark has provided some tremendous opportunities for this football team
for four years,'' said Wildcats coach Bill Snyder. ``He's been a very, very
special player for us.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Vols' Thompson has been equally impressive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He's recorded 61 tackles, including five tackles for loss and one sack,
with an interception and pass break-up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Raynoch's the leader of our defensive football team,'' said Tennessee
coach Phil Fulmer. ``He can dominate a football game as both a pass rusher and
pass defender.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The winner will be announced Dec. 10 in Orlando. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
PENN STATE FOOTBALL

2 Lions Vie For Butkus Award 
Brandon Short And Lavar Arrington Are The First Penn State Players To Be
Finalists For The Honor Since Shane Conlan In 1986.

2 Lions Vie For Butkus Award Brandon Short And Lavar Arrington Are The First Penn State Players To Be Finalists For The Honor Since Shane Conlan In 1986.