Penn State's Hodges continues to shine on defense

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Linebacker Gerald Hodges and defensive tackle Devon Still have been two of the driving forces behind Penn State's defense, which has been one of the best in the country this season. With that success has come increased national attention and both players continued to receive honors for their play on Monday.

Hodges, a former standout at Paulsboro High School, was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week for the second consecutive time. In the Nittany Lions' 10-7 win over Illinois on Saturday, Hodges totaled a career-high 19 tackles, the highest single-game total by a Penn State defender since linebacker Paul Posluzsny had 22 in 2005. Hodges also had a sack, forced a fumble and broke up two passes against the Fighting Illini.

The junior leads No. 16 Penn State (8-1, 5-0 Big Ten) with 77 tackles (eighth in Big Ten) and 41/2 sacks (fifth in Big Ten) and is second on the team behind Still with nine tackles for loss (ninth in Big Ten). He also has an interception.

Nebraska's Lavonte David and Wisconsin's Chris Borland are considered the elite of the conference's linebacker class. But Hodges could challenge for first-team all-Big Ten honors.

Still, who was born in Camden and grew up in Wilmington, has emerged as one of the nation's premier defensive players. The senior and team cocaptain, whose stock for next year's NFL draft is rising, was named as one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation's top defensive player. Three finalists will be revealed on Nov. 21 before the winner is announced Dec. 8.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound lineman is one of three Big Ten defensive linemen up for the Bednarik Award - Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, who leads the nation with 111/2 sacks, and Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy are the others. David is also a semifinalist.