The Associated Press

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk was named Defensive Player the Year in the Big Ten, the conference announced Tuesday.

Both the league's coaches and media selected Hawk, who is the first player to finish in the Big Ten's top five in tackles (5th with 9.9 a game), sacks (4th with 7.5), and tackles for loss (4th with 13).

Quarterback Michael Robinson, who led Penn State to a share of the Big Ten title, and Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez, who led the Wildcats to their best season since 2000, shared Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Robinson was selected as the top offensive player by the coaches and Basanez was chosen by the media - marking the first time the honor has been shared since 1998 when Ohio State's Joe Germaine and Purdue's Drew Brees split the end-of-the season award.

Robinson was named top offensive player in the coaches' poll, but finished on the second team All-Big Ten to Basanez, only the second time that has happened in the Big Ten.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno was named conference coach of the year for the second time, as his Nittany Lions finished 7-1 in league games a year after going 2-6. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 3 in the nation.

Penn State's Tamba Hali was the coaches' unanimous selection as Defensive Lineman of the year. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton was named Freshman of the Year in balloting by both coaches and media, and was named second-team All-Big Ten by both.

Minnesota center Greg Eslinger, who was named first-team All-Big Ten by both panels, is the first Golden Gopher player to be named Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Robinson led a Nittany Lions team that improved dramatically from last season. After finishing last in the conference in scoring last year with 12.9 points a game, this season's team averaged 35.2 points in Big Ten games.

Basanez is the first Wildcat to be named the conference's top offensive player. His 339.4 yards a game in total offense marks just the second time in the last 20 years a Big Ten player has averaged more than 300 yards a game, joining Brees.

Penn State's Hali led the Big Ten in all games with 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

Other offensive players named first-team All-Big Ten by both panels were Northwestern's Basanez, Penn State's Hali, Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney, Wisconsin running back Brian Calhoun, Michigan receiver Jason Avant, Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes, Minnesota guard Matt Setterstrom, Wisconsin guard Joe Thomas, Minnesota tight end Matt Spaeth, and Ohio State kicker Josh Huston.

Other defensive players named first-team by both groups were Michigan defensive lineman Gabe Watson, Ohio State defensive lineman Mike Kudla, Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny, Ohio State defensive back Nate Salley, Penn State defensive back Alan Zemaitis and Wisconsin punter Ken Dabauche.

Ohio State defensive back Ashton Youboty was named first team in the media poll and tied with Penn State defensive back Calvin Lowry for first team honors in the coaches poll.