UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter was tabbed National Player of the Week by the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Tuesday. Carter made a major impact in No. 7/7 Penn State’s 21-7 win over No. 19/21 Illinois on Saturday.
Carter collected four tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup against the Illini to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Senior Bowl Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually, by the Maxwell Football Club, to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, recognizes the best defensive player in college football.
Abdul Carter · Jr. · DE · 6-3 · 252 · Philadelphia, Pa. · La Salle College High School
- Named to the Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Reese’s Senior Bowl and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch Lists.
- Tabbed Preseason All-America by Walter Camp, Action Network (first team), Associated Press (second), CBS (second), ESPN (second) and The Athletic (second).
- Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on September 30.
- Tabbed Senior Bowl Co-Defensive Player of the Week on September 30.
- Against Illinois, collected seven tackles (4 solo) with four tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
- His four tackles for loss were a career high as he became the first Nittany Lion to record four tackles for loss in a game since Yetur Gross-Matos against Iowa in 2018.
- In the fourth quarter, Carter had a strip-sack for his fourth career forced fumble.
- Carter had two tackles for loss in the first half to go over the 20 career tackles for loss mark.
- The junior earned his fourth career game with two or more TFLs and third game with two or more sacks.
- Carter is tied for the Big Ten lead with 6.5 tackles for loss, ranking 18th nationally, and is tied-fourth in the conference with three sacks.
- Has tallied 123 tackles (73 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception and 10 pass breakups entering his third season in Happy Valley.
- Carter registered seven tackles (5 solo), one tackle for loss and a pass breakup against Bowling Green.
- He notched four tackles (2 solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack against Kent State.
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.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce the finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 2 and the winner will be unveiled December 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually since 1993, is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears after his college career. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame.
No. 7/7 Penn State hosts UCLA on Saturday for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. Kickoff is set for noon on 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.