Sept. 27, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt has been added to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.
Tuitt (Monroe, Ga./Monroe H.S.) joins his Fighting Irish teammate Manti Te’o, a senior linebacker, on the Bednarik Award Watch List. Tuitt is one of four sophomores on the 77-man watch list.
Tuitt has started all four games this season and is a key reason why Notre Dame is 4-0 and ranked 10th in this week’s Associated Press poll. Tuitt has a team-high six sacks, 11 solo tackles and three assisted tackles. He returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown in Notre Dame’s season-opening victory over Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
The sophomore can play both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Irish. In his freshman season, he appeared in nine games, including three starts, and recorded two sacks and 30 total tackles. He received third-team Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele.
The Fighting Irish return to action Oct. 6 when they face the University of Miami at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT).
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