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Mark Selders

Winston Tabbed Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week

Junior safety recorded 12 tackles, forced fumble in week one

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior safety Kevin Winston Jr. was named Chuck Bednarik National Player of the Week for his performance in No. 8/9 Penn State’s 34-12 win over West Virginia on Saturday.

Winston, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday, had a career-high 12 tackles and a forced fumble against the Mountaineers.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually, by the Maxwell Football Club, to the outstanding defensive player in college football.

Kevin Winston Jr. · Jr. · S · 6-2 · 205 · Columbia, Md. · DeMatha Catholic

  • Tabbed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (9/2)
  • Against West Virginia, tied a career high with 12 tackles (7 solo).
  • Earned his third career game with 10+ tackles.
  • Eight of his 12 stops came in the first half.
  • The junior registered his first career forced fumble in the first quarter and added a solo tackle for loss.
  • Through week one, Winston ranks 16th in the nation in tackles (12) and 22nd in solo tackles (7).
  • Helped the Penn State defense to limit West Virginia to 246 yards on 66 plays (3.7 average).
  • Penn State held WVU to 85 rushing yards and 161 passing yards.
  • PSU limited West Virginia to 4-of-14 on third down, including 1-of-5 on third-and-short (4 or less yards).
  • Named to the Bednarik Award Watch List in the preseason.
  • Has appeared in 26 career games, making 14 starts.
  • Tabbed All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2023.

The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 12 and the three finalists for the award will be revealed on November 26.

The winner will be announced live during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on December 12, 2024.

The formal presentation of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 14, 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

No. 8/9 Penn State welcomes Bowling Green on Saturday for a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for noon on Big Ten Network at Beaver Stadium.

For club and ticket information for the 2024 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.