UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick today became the 77th first-team All-American under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno.

Odrick, 6 feet 5 and 306 pounds, was selected to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team, which has been in existence since 1945.

A three-year starter, he recently was named the Big Ten Conference's defensive player of the year and defensive lineman of the year. Odrick ranks eighth in the Big Ten with six sacks and is fifth on the team with 41 tackles. He also has blocked a field goal.

The Nittany Lions have had at least one All-American in 39 of Paterno's 44 seasons as coach. Odrick is the sixth defensive lineman to earn first-team honors in the past 10 years, joining Courtney Brown, Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy, Tamba Hali and Aaron Maybin.

"This is a great honor," said Odrick, who is from Lebanon, Pa. "There are a lot of great D-linemen across the country, so I'm flattered to receive this award.

"I think this honor speaks about the play of our defense as a whole all season. I'm privileged to be joining some of the great Penn State defensive linemen who have been All-Americans."

The Lions (10-2) are awaiting the date and opponent for their 36th bowl game under Paterno, the all-time leader in postseason appearances and victories (23-11-1 record).

The final BCS standings and bowl pairings will be announced Sunday night.

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