| 2006: Started every game at outside linebacker ... Fifth in the Big Ten with 113 tackles, recording a team-high 70 solo stops .. Third on the squad with 9.0 tackles for losses, tied for third with 5.0 sacks (minus-39), led with three forced fumbles (sixth in Big Ten), had two interceptions and one big safety on a sack against Illinois ... Combined with fellow All-American Posluszny (116 tackles) to become the first Penn State tandem since 1989 to record more than 100 tackles in a season ... One of three finalists for the Bednarik Award ... Second-team All-Big Ten choice ... One of only three Big Ten players to receive conference Defensive
Player-of-the-Week honors twice in 2006.
2005: Connor started the last seven games, recording 76 tackles, good
for a tie for fourth on the squad. He made 5.5 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks and
was third on the team with eight pass breakups. He also returned a fumble 18
yards for a touchdown at Illinois ... Came up big in the FedEx Orange Bowl win
over Florida State, leading the Lions with seven tackles (five solo), including
two tackles for losses .... Recorded a game and season-high 14 tackles (nine
solo) in the Big Ten title-clinching win at Michigan State.
2004: Connor was second on the team and ninth in the Big Ten with 85
tackles (50 solo) in just four starts. Connor started the last three games at inside linebacker after spending much of the
season at an outside spot. Playing in every game, he posted 4.5 tackles for loss
(minus-12 yards), one sack and one interception.
HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus prep All-American at Strath Haven HS. He was a four-year starter. The 2003 Associated Press Big School Player-of-the-Year, Connor was named first-team all-state three times ... Captain and MVP of his team ... totaled 4,556 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns
during his prep career. Defensively, he made 451 tackles, 18 sacks, 16
interceptions and six fumble recoveries. As a senior, he rushed for 1,807 yards
on 251 carries, for a spectacular 7.2-yard average, scoring 28 touchdowns ...
Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2004 ... Also lettered in
basketball and track.
PERSONAL: Full name is Daniel Murphy Connor ... Has two older
brothers, Jim and Mike ... Enjoys playing guitar in his spare time ... Is a
crime, law and justice major ... Born November 2, 1985 in Wallingford, Pa. |
