| Mark Rubin |
|
|
The past two years have posed a series of challenges for Mark Rubin, but he has fought his way through the adversity and is poised to become a bigger contributor. He has responded to the difficulties by embracing the situations and working hard. Rubin returned to the secondary during spring drills and he will battle for playing time at safety and on special teams. He began the 2006 season in the defensive backfield, but returned to wide receiver as the season progressed, making one catch. The former all-state choice at Amherst HS played in the final eight games as a true freshman in 2004 and entered the 2005 season as one of Penn State's most experienced wide receivers. But, Rubin dislocated his ankle in a preseason practice, ending his year and earning him a medical redshirt. He enthusiastically attacked his rehabilitation in order to be ready for spring drills, where he would face a new set of challenges, moving to safety. Rubin likely will begin preseason battling Spencer Ridenhour for the No. 2 spot at free safety behind Tony Davis. Rubin brings excellent size and instincts to the field and he has demonstrated he is someone who is willing to put his body on the line in order to be a difference-maker. His athleticism, versatility and intelligence will benefit the Lions the next two seasons. Rubin is one of the squad's premier students, owning a superb 3.75 grade-point average in finance through the spring semester. He posted a 3.82 grade-point average last fall for Dean's List recognition and is a probable ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America candidate.
2006 Junior Season
Rubin was shifted to safety during spring practice, but in preseason was hobbled by a nagging injury. He made one tackle against Youngstown State, but soon found himself back at wideout. Rubin made one catch for eight yards against Temple, playing a season-high 25 snaps. He earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
2005 Sophomore Season
Rubin entered preseason joining Terrell Golden as the Nittany Lions' most experienced receivers. But, Rubin dislocated his ankle in an August practice, an injury that required surgery, ending his season. He was granted a medical redshirt.
2004 Freshman Season
Rubin did not see action in the initial three games of the season. But, in the first quarter of the Big Ten-opener at Wisconsin, quarterbacks Zack Mills and Michael Robinson were knocked out of the game. In need of a spark, the coaching staff asked Rubin to enter the game and he responded by making two catches for 21 yards to start what would be a very productive rookie season. Rubin earned his first start the next week at Minnesota, making a season-high six catches for 60 yards, and started six of the final seven games, seeing action on 407 snaps. Rubin totaled 16 receptions for 187 yards (11.7) for the season, tied for fifth in receptions. He made three catches for 38 yards against Purdue and three grabs for 46 yards in the win at Indiana, including a superb diving catch for a big first down in the 22-18 win.
High School
A four-year starter for Coach Rob Gross at Amherst HS, Rubin finished his career with 167 receptions for 2,488 yards and 34 touchdowns, all Western New York records. As a senior, he pulled in 63 catches for 924 yards and 12 scores. Rubin also played safety and made 128 tackles, three sacks, and nine interceptions during his career. He was a three-time all-state pick, a three-time All-Western New York selection and was a two-time Section VI Class A Offensive Player-of-the-Year. A two-year captain of the football team, Rubin also excelled in swimming and lacrosse. He was a two-time state champion (sprints) and an eight-time All-American in swimming. He also was an all-league lacrosse player.
Personal
Full name is Mark Harrison Rubin. He is the son of David and Mary Ellen Rubin. He has an older sister, Rachael, who swam at the University of Buffalo. Rubin graduated from high school with a 3.80 grade-point average. He is a finance major in the Smeal College of Business. Born October 24, 1985 in Buffalo, N.Y.
