Nov. 15, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion who made the game-changing play in Penn State's 31-20 win over Indiana on Saturday has been honored by the Big Ten Conference.
Junior linebacker Navorro Bowman (District Heights, Md.) recorded 12 tackles and returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades. The conference honor is the second of his career.
A semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player, Bowman broke a 10-10 tie in the third quarter by grabbing his second interception of the season and returning 73 yards to pump-up of the Beaver Stadium Senior Day crowd of 107, 379. The pick was the third of his career.
An All-America and Nagurski Trophy candidate, Bowman recorded a team-high 12 tackles, with 2.0 TFL, a sack and a pass break-up to lead another stellar defensive effort. The Nittany Lions limited the Hoosiers to 48 rushing yards on 24 attempts, as Penn State held its sixth opponent of the season to 65 or fewer yards on the ground.
Bowman played only the first two series of season opener and missed the next two games with a pulled groin. The 2008 first team all-conference selection is second on team with 12.0 TFL and 74 tackles (8.2 avg.), two sacks, tied for team lead with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and has two pass break-ups. The former Suitland High School standout is No. 7 in Big Ten in Tackles Per Game (8.2 avg.).
A member of ESPN.com's 2008-09 All-Bowl Team, Bowman's 1.33 TFL per game average is No. 2 in the nation among all linebackers.
Bowman's honor marks the fifth time this season a Nittany Lion has been selected Big Ten Player of the Week, joining quarterback Daryll Clark (twice), linebacker Sean Lee and punter Jeremy Boone.
No. 14 (BCS) Penn State will travel to face Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 21 in the annual battle for the Land Grant Trophy. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Spartan Stadium. ABC will regionally televise the regular season finale and ESPN will air the game outside the ABC coverage area to the rest of the nation. The Spartans are 6-5 (4-3 in Big Ten) after rallying to win at Purdue, 40-37, on Saturday.
--NITTANY LIONS--