Oct. 27, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Senior linebacker Brandon Bell (Mays Landing, N.J.) has been collecting accolades this week after a stellar performance in Penn State's upset win over #2 Ohio State. On Thursday, Bell was named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week, given to the National Defensive Player of the Week, by the Maxwell Football Club. Previously this week, Bell was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and College Sports Madness National Defensive Player of the Week.
Bell returned to the field after missing the last 4.5 games due to injury and posted a career-high 18 tackles. His previous high was 13 against Ohio State in 2014. Bell made three stops on the crucial final drive for Ohio State, which ended in back-to-back sacks.
The Nittany Lion defense had a season-high 11.0 tackles for loss, the most since Maryland (11.0) last season. The 11.0 tackles for loss are the most yielded by the Buckeyes since giving up 11.0 TFL vs. Alabama on Jan. 1, 2015. Penn State held Ohio State scoreless in the first quarter, the first team to shut out the Buckeyes in any quarter this season. The Nittany Lions held the Buckeyes scoreless in two quarters (first & fourth) for the first time since Michigan State last season, which was Ohio State's last loss.
In addition to Bell's awards, the Nittany Lions were selected as the Athlon Team of the Week and FWAA Team of the Week. Individually, James Franklin was named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week, Marcus Allen and Grant Haley shared Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, Haley garnered Big Ten Rose Bowl Game Player of the Week honors, defensive coordinator Brent Pry was named Athlon Coordinator of the Week (defensive) and Charles Huff (special teams coordinator) and Sean Spencer (defensive line) were named Coaching Search Coaches of the Week for their respective positions.
Penn State is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play after the victory over the Buckeyes. The Nittany Lions are back in action at Purdue Saturday at noon on ABC (with an ESPN2 mirror).
Single game for the 2016 campaign are on sale now. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.