The Big Ten announced today that Penn State LB Mike Hull was named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week, given to the nation’s top defensive player, for his performance Saturday night against Ohio State. This is the first such honor of Hull’s career.

Hull recorded a superhuman 19 tackles to go along with a sack and an interception against the Buckeyes, which was more than enough to win him the award. He was also added to the season-long Bednarik Award watch list, given to the nation’s top defensive player for the entire season.

The award is given out by the Maxwell Club, which gives both the Bednarik and the Maxwell Awards. The Maxwell Award is given to the nation’s top offensive player.

Hull has five games with 10 or more tackles this season (third in a row), and he has led Penn State in tackles every game this season. Hull leads the Big Ten in tackles per game with 11.9 and is 6th in the nation.

Hull and the rest of the Nittany Lions will try to end a three-game losing streak on Saturday at noon against Maryland.