Junior linebacker LaVar Arrington and senior defensive end Courtney Brown are the Nittany Lions up for the award, to be presented Dec. 8 at a ceremony in Houston.

Also up for the a 40-pound block of granite atop a silver pedestal are Virginia Tech defensive end Corey Moore and Florida State nose guard Corey Simon. Both are seniors.

Penn State's double entry marks the first time one school has supplied two finalists since Nittany Lions Matt Millen and eventual winner Bruce Clark in 1978.

Going into Saturday's games, Arrington had made 45 tackles, including 15 for a loss of yardage, and seven sacks. He also had blocked two kicks, broken up six passes and forced and recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

Brown led the Big Ten with 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for losses. He had a team-high three fumbles caused and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Moore had 35 tackles, including eight for losses, and 10 sacks. He also has returned a fumble for a touchdown and caused a safety.

Simon has 68 tackles, including 15 for losses, four sacks, a blocked punt and his first career interception this year. He had recorded at least eight tackles in all but two of his games headed into Saturday.

The award is named for Vince Lombardi, famed coach of the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. The Rotary Club of Houston presents the award at a banquet to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Lombardi died of cancer in 1970. The first trophy was awarded later that year.