With 18 tackles to his name on Saturday night, Penn State senior linebacker Brandon Bell has been selected as the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after his Senior Day performance.
Bell is the eighth Penn State player since 2004 to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors, all of which have been on the defensive side of the ball. Bell is the first Nittany Lion to be honored since Sept. 30, 2012 with linebacker Mike Mauti claimed the award.
Bell tied his career high with 18 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, against the Spartans, equaling the mark he set against Ohio State earlier this season. He also had one pass breakup. He was the stalwart on a defense that shutout Michigan State in the second half, only allowing 87 yards in that frame. The Nittany Lion defense held Michigan State to just four first-half field goals.
The senior captain is one of three players in FBS to have multiple games with 18 or more tackles, joining New Mexico State’s Rodney Butler (3 times) and Kent State’s Nick Cuthbert (twice). Despite missing four and a half games, Bell ranks second on the team with 74 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.
