Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation’s top defensive player.
The 6-2, 198-pound Porter leads the Nittany Lions with 11 pass break-ups and has 25 tackles, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry in his third season as a starter.
He’s a chief reason why Penn State ranks 10th nationally in pass defense efficiency. He was named to the Associated Press Midseason All-America Team. He’s also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive back.
Porter’s six pass break-ups against Purdue set a school record and tied a Big Ten record set by Minnesota’s Michael Carter in 2012 and tied by Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis in 2015.
The Maxwell Club will announce the three Bednarik Award finalists on Nov. 22. The winner will be announced in December on the ESPN College Football Awards Show.
Clifford makes cut: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has been selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the Danny Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football players who serve others, have a positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.
Clifford has completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,816 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions in his fourth season as the Lions’ starter.
He has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice this season for his performances against Purdue and Minnesota. He became Penn State’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 78 last week against Ohio State.
The winner of the Wuerffel Trophy will be announced Dec. 8.
Lee update: Penn State running back Keyvone Lee, who has missed three of the last five games, has been injured, coach James Franklin said.
“Keyvone has been hurt,” Franklin said. “He has been out or limited for five weeks. We are hopeful to have him back (Saturday at Indiana). When we have him back, we feel like we got three really good backs who are experienced and can make plays in the pass and run game.”
Lee, the Lions’ top rusher in 2020 and 2021, has carried 25 times for 94 yards, a 3.8 average. His playing time has decreased with the emergence of freshmen Nick Singleton, the former Gov. Mifflin star, and Kaytron Allen.
Singleton has run 96 times for 606 yards (6.3 average) and seven touchdowns. Allen has carried 90 times for 472 yards (5.2 average) and five touchdowns.
