TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the 2022 Chuck Bednarik and Butkus Awards.
The Bednarik honor is given to the nation's outstanding defensive player of the year, while the Butkus Award is given to the nation's top linebacker.
The Cincinnati native and Colerain High School product is one of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik and the only player from outside the "Power Five."
He is one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus and one of two players from outside the "Power Five."
Pace Jr. leads the nation with 16.0 tackles for loss and ranks tied for 10th in sacks (7.0) and tied for 12th in tackles (10.38) for a Bearcats' defense that ranks sixth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.33).
His 92.2 grade for the season by Pro Football Focus ranks second nationally behind only his teammate Dontay Corleone (92.4), a redshirt freshman nose tackle.
Pace Jr. was named a Midseason All-American by the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
In Week 4, he was outstanding against Indiana, tallying 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs (fifth-most in UC history), 2.5 sacks and three QB hurries en route to AAC Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik National Player of the Week and PFF Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He is a two-time PFF National Team of the Week honoree and two-time member of the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.
Pace Jr. finished 10th in the nation with 125 tackles in 2021 while playing for Miami (Ohio). He had six sacks in a game for the Redhawks against Akron in 2019, as well.
// MORE INFORMATION ON THE BEDNARIK AWARD
Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, will begin on Wednesday and will close on Nov. 20. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 22 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time.
The winner of 28th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 8. The formal presentation of the Chuck Bednarik Award will take place at the 86th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held in March 2023.
// MORE INFORMATION ON THE BUTKUS AWARD
The Butkus Foundation will announce the winner of the award on or before Dec. 7 after finalists are named on Nov. 21 by the award committee.
The 2022 Butkus Award winner will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21, 2023, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will again feature namesake Dick Butkus and numerous noted NFL Alumni. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting the Butkus Foundation.
// LIMITED SINGLE-GAME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
There are still a limited number of single game tickets available for the regular season finale versus Tulane. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
The Bednarik honor is given to the nation's outstanding defensive player of the year, while the Butkus Award is given to the nation's top linebacker.
The Cincinnati native and Colerain High School product is one of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik and the only player from outside the "Power Five."
He is one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus and one of two players from outside the "Power Five."
Pace Jr. leads the nation with 16.0 tackles for loss and ranks tied for 10th in sacks (7.0) and tied for 12th in tackles (10.38) for a Bearcats' defense that ranks sixth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.33).
His 92.2 grade for the season by Pro Football Focus ranks second nationally behind only his teammate Dontay Corleone (92.4), a redshirt freshman nose tackle.
Pace Jr. was named a Midseason All-American by the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
In Week 4, he was outstanding against Indiana, tallying 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs (fifth-most in UC history), 2.5 sacks and three QB hurries en route to AAC Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik National Player of the Week and PFF Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He is a two-time PFF National Team of the Week honoree and two-time member of the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.
Pace Jr. finished 10th in the nation with 125 tackles in 2021 while playing for Miami (Ohio). He had six sacks in a game for the Redhawks against Akron in 2019, as well.
// MORE INFORMATION ON THE BEDNARIK AWARD
Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, will begin on Wednesday and will close on Nov. 20. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 22 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time.
The winner of 28th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 8. The formal presentation of the Chuck Bednarik Award will take place at the 86th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held in March 2023.
// MORE INFORMATION ON THE BUTKUS AWARD
The Butkus Foundation will announce the winner of the award on or before Dec. 7 after finalists are named on Nov. 21 by the award committee.
The 2022 Butkus Award winner will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21, 2023, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will again feature namesake Dick Butkus and numerous noted NFL Alumni. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting the Butkus Foundation.
// LIMITED SINGLE-GAME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
There are still a limited number of single game tickets available for the regular season finale versus Tulane. Tickets can be purchased HERE.