Houston Named Semifinalists For Bednarik

FOOTBALL

Georgia junior Justin Houston has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

Three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on November 22.  The winners of the Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 9.  The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 4, 2011.

Houston, a 6-3, 258-pound native of Statesboro, remains the Southeastern Conference leader in sacks with 9.0 and is second in the league with 16.5 tackles for loss.  He is third on Georgia’s defense with 44 tackles this season.

Playing his first season at outside linebacker after lining up as defensive end his first three years, Houston has the most sacks and tackles for loss of any active SEC player.  He had a combined total of 10.0 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Houston was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after exploding for five tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hurries while also recovering a fumble and breaking up a pass at Kentucky earlier this year.

Thanks in part of Houston’s presence, the Dawgs have forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 73 points while Georgia has only had 12 miscues that have turned into 21 points.  This turnover margin (+7) ranks third in the SEC and 22nd in the nation.

Houston has already been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award this season.