Bowers Named Semifinalist for Bednarik Award

Nov. 8, 2010

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson junior defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award. The Bednarik Award is presented each year by the Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania. It is named after all-time college and NFL great Chuck Bednarik and goes to the top defensive player in college football.

Bowers is one of three ACC players on the list and two of the three will be on the same field this Saturday when Clemson plays at Florida State. In addition to Bowers, Florida State defensive lineman Brandon Jenkins is also on the list, as is Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Bowers leads the nation in sacks with 12.5 and tackles for loss with 20. He has already tied the Clemson single season record for sacks by a defensive lineman and is just 3.5 away from tying the overall mark of 16 sacks set in 1999 by linebacker Keith Adams. His 20 tackles for loss are the most by a Clemson defensive lineman in a season since 1996 when Trevor Pryce had 20.

Bowers has 52 total tackles for the season to rank third on the Clemson team, which ranks 12th in the nation in scoring defense.

Semifinalists for 2010 Chuck Bednarik AwardName – Pos, Cl., School Sam Acho – DE, Sr., Texas Prince Amukamara – DB, Sr., NebraskaDa’Quan Bowers – DE, Jr., Clemson Chimdi Chekwa – DB, Jr., Ohio State Adrian Clayborn – DE, Sr., Iowa Nick Fairley – DL, Jr., Auburn Justin Houston – DL, Jr., Georgia Brandon Jenkins – DL, Jr., Florida State Greg Jones – LB, Sr., Michigan State Ryan Kerrigan – DL, Sr., Purdue Luke Kuechly – LB, So., Boston College Drake Nevis – DL, Jr., LSU Stephen Paea – DT, Sr., Oregon State Patrick Peterson – DB, Jr., LSU Manti Te’OO – LB, So., Notre Dame J.J. Watt – DL, Jr., Wisconsin