When the top brass at the NCAA put their heads together, they came up with unprecedented sanctions against Penn State's football program for the alleged coverup of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal.

But they didn't think of everything.

They banned the Nittany Lions from bowl games and post-season play for four years. They took away scholarships. They vacated wins from 1998 to 2011. They allowed athletes to jump ship. The football program was put on probation for five years. The university was fined $60 million — equivalent to a year's proceeds from the football program.

Yet no one at the NCAA gave much thought to banning the players from receiving postseason awards.

So, it must be especially gratifying for the Penn State players who stuck out the season to see a number of their own being named to 2012 all-Big Ten teams.

The teams are selected in separate balloting by conference coaches and by news media that cover the league.

Tight end Kyle Carter, offensive guard John Urschel, center Matt Stankiewitch and wide receiver Allen Robinson made the All Big Ten First Team on offense.

On defense, linebacker Michael Mauti and defensive tackle Jordan Hill made the first team. Second-team honors went to linebacker Gerald Hodges.

Honorable mention selections for the Lions went to quarterback Matt McGloin, cornerback Stephon Morris, safety Adrian Amos, defensive end Sean Stanley and offensive tackle Mike Farrell.

These players had nothing to do with the Sandusky scandal, yet they had to bear the brunt of the potentially crippling sanctions by the NCAA.

They, along with the rest of the Penn State squad, faced the adversity, and rose above it, to deliver an outstanding season for Penn State fans. The Lions finished the season, under new coach Bill O'Brien, at a respectable 8-4.

From the time the Sandusky scandal broke, Penn State and its storied football program has been under a dark cloud.

The cloud is beginning to lift, thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of these student athletes, as well as that of their coach and his staff.