| A.Q. Shipley |
|
|
After displaying his versatility as a former defensive tackle and offensive guard, A.Q. Shipley settled in at the center position a year ago and solidified the Penn State offensive line. He emerged as a durable and dependable center in his first full season on offense, and was the only offensive lineman to start every game. He led all offensive players in snaps and was a 2006 honorable-mention All-Big Ten choice. This season, with the departure of veterans Levi Brown and Robert Price, the talented and driven Shipley will anchor the line and will be counted on to provide strong and steady leadership. The former two-time all-state selection at Moon Area HS has good size, skills, strength and mobility and is one of the squad's hardest workers. Shipley was selected 2007 first-team preseason All-Big Ten by Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook and is a potential post-season honors candidate. He also is on the Watch List for the Rimington Trophy, presented to the nation's top center. One of the squad's most engaging personalities, Shipley has played a jovial Santa Claus at the team's bowl game Christmas party the past two years. He is one of 13 returning players from Western Pennsylvania.
2006 Junior Season
Shipley moved to center during spring practice and won the position, starting every game. He was the only offensive lineman to start every contest and was on the field for 897 snaps, highest among all offensive players and fourth-highest on the squad. Shipley was instrumental in helping the Nittany Lions rush for a season-high 389 yards against Youngstown State, their highest total in four years, and gain 233 yards rushing against Northwestern. At Purdue, Shipley and the O-Line paved the way for 240 yards on the ground. The Lions rushed for 212 yards against Temple to record Penn State's fourth 200-yard rushing game of the season. He was instrumental in helping Tony Hunt become just the sixth Nittany Lion to compile a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons, finishing second on the school's career rushing list with 3,320 yards. Shipley was on the field for a career-high 86 plays in the shutout win at Purdue.
2005 Sophomore Season
The 2005 season saw Shipley help the offense and defense en route to the Big Ten title. In his first season on the field, he was shifted from the defensive line to center prior to spring practice. Shipley provided depth at center and guard the first half of the season. The week prior to the Illinois game, he went back to defensive tackle where he had an immediate impact, making five tackles with two sacks the remainder of the season. He recorded three stops, with a sack, against the Illini and added another sack in the Senior Day win over Wisconsin. Playing in every game, Shipley was on the field for 226 snaps, topped by 41 against Cincinnati.
2004 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Shipley played defensive tackle on the foreign team.
High School
Shipley helped Moon Area HS reach the 2003 Western Pennsylvania District Class AAA semifinals after winning the Parkway Conference championship. Shipley had 53 tackles as a senior, including 13 for loss and three sacks, and forced two fumbles. A four-year starter for Coach Mark Capuano, Shipley ended his career with 243 tackles, 41 for loss and 13 sacks. Shipley also was a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25, and the Harrisburg Patriot-News Platinum 33. He also was a three-year starter in basketball and was a two-year captain of the football and basketball teams. Shipley played in the 2004 Big 33 Classic.
Personal
Full name is Allan Q. Shipley. He is the son of Allan and Patricia Shipley and has an older sister, Nicole. He lists golf, reading and music as hobbies. Shipley is majoring in labor and industrial relations. Born May 22, 1986 in Beaver County, Pa.4
