UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State running back Silas Redd and linebacker Gerald Hodges are on the Watch Lists for the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards, respectively, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
Penn State leads all colleges and universities with its seven Maxwell Award winners and its four Bednarik Award recipients.
First presented in 1937, the Maxwell Award is presented in honor of Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports columnist, to the nation’s college football player of the year.
The Bednarik Award, established in 1995, is presented in honor of linebacking great Chuck Bednarik to the nation’s defensive player of the year.
Redd ran for 1,241 yards last season, the 10th-highest season total in Penn State history, en route to second-team All-Big Ten honors. He became the 12th different Penn State player to post 1,000 yards rushing in a season. Redd rushed for 5.2 yards per carry and scored seven rushing touchdowns.
A senior pre-season All-American, Hodges earned first team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. Hodges helped Penn State become the nation’s No. 5 scoring defense and became the 22nd Nittany Lion to post at least 100 tackles in a season. He led the team with 106 tackles (60 solo), had 41⁄2 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced Oct. 29 and the three finalists unveiled Nov. 19. The winners will be announced during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 6.
