Te'o semifinalist for Bednarik Award

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award by the Maxwell Football Club. The Bednarik Award is presented to college football’s best defensive player. Te’o leads the Irish with 82 tackles, 11 for loss and four and 1/2 sacks. He has already set career highs in tackles for loss and sacks this season. Te’o has recorded at least 10 tackles in six of eight games and leads the Notre Dame in solo tackles, assisted tackles and tackles on running plays. Among all middle or inside linebackers in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Te’o ranks tied for first in solo tackles for loss, tied for first in solo sacks, second in total sacks, second in total tackles for loss, second in tackles for loss per game and third in sacks per game. A 2010 Bednarik Award semifinalist, Te’o has already been named a semifinalist for the 2011 Butkus (top college linebacker) and Lombardi (top lineman/linebacker) awards as well as a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy (top defensive player combined with academics and community service). Te’o is one of only three players to appear on the updated lists for all four awards.