Oct. 26, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior defensive end Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) is among the candidates on the midseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award for the nation's top defensive end.
The Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first-team All-American. As a defensive end at the University of Miami, Ted used his agility, height and reach to block passes and kicks, force interceptions and pressure quarterbacks and running backs. He roamed the front line, read plays and blitzed on impulse, completely transforming the way the defensive end position was played. His professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. It included four Super Bowl victories, eight Pro Bowl selections and inductions into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. It is in the spirit of Ted Hendricks' aggressive style of play, winning attitude and determination that the Defensive End of the Year Award for college football's premier defensive end is presented.
Nassib has sprung onto the national scene this year and leads FBS in sacks (13.5), tackles for loss (17.5) and forced fumbles (5). He has recorded a sack in each game this season and five multi-sack games. Nassib's 13.5 sacks this season are the most by a Nittany Lion since Michael Haynes tied Larry Kubin's school record of 15 sacks in 2002. Kubin recorded 15 sacks in 1979.
Additionally, Nassib is the first Penn State player to force two fumbles in two games in a season since Maurice Evans did it in 2007. Evans had two forced fumbles against Indiana and two forced fumbles against Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl. Nassib's five forced fumbles this season are the most by a Penn State player since Evans had five in the 2007 season. He was recently added to the Bednarik Award watch list for the nation's Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a midseason All-America choice by SI.com, ESPN.com, USAToday.com and CBS Sports.
The Hendricks Award voting committee will cast two votes: one to narrow the list of candidates to 4-6 finalists, and one to choose our winner for this season. Our Final Mid-Season Watch List will be announced in late November. The 2015 winner will be announced on December 9.
The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium after a two-game road trip to host Illinois Saturday at noon. The game will air on ESPN2, the Penn State Sports Network (10:30 a.m. pregame) and GoPSUsports.com.
Tickets for the Nittany Lions' last two home games are available. Penn State hosts Illinois Saturday and Michigan on Nov. 21 for Senior Day and the Penn State WhiteOut. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.