UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State football redshirt senior defensive back and punt returner Daequan Hardy has been named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week along with Iowa punter Tory Taylor, it was announced on Monday.
- On his first career punt return, Hardy had a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. The punt return for a touchdown is Penn State's first since Jahan Dotson had an 80-yard punt return score in the 2020 Michigan State game.
- Hardy added a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter, becoming the first player in school history to record multiple punt returns for a touchdown in a single game.
- Since 2000, Hardy is the 25th FBS player to return two punt returns for touchdowns in a game. He is one of two Big Ten players joining Iowa's Kevonte Martin-Manley (vs. Western Michigan, 2013).
- He is tied for the school record for most punt returns in a season with the two, joining Larry Johnson (2001), Bruce Branch (1999), O.J. McDuffie (1991) and Jimmy Cefalo (1977).
- Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Jake Pinegar (Nov. 14, 2022).
No. 7/6 Penn State travels to No. 3/3 Ohio State this Saturday to take on the Buckeyes. Kickoff is slated for noon on FOX.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2023 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.