TicketsCINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati junior linebacker Deshawn Pace earned a spot on the Bednarik Award Watch List, given annually to the nation's top defensive player.
The Colerain High School product also earned a spot on the Nagurski and Butkus Award honor rolls this summer.
Pace did nearly everything for the Bearcats' No. 10 defense last fall, finishing sixth in the AAC with 94 tackles (nine for loss) and a team-high four interceptions. Two of those picks went for 39- and 27-yard returns against Indiana and Notre Dame, respectively, in consecutive games into the red zone. He had others against UCF and South Florida, while blocking a field goal at Navy that set up a 52-yard return and Alex Bales kick as time expired in the half. Pace finished with nine stops against No. 1 Alabama in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Pace played in eight games as a freshman reserve in 2020 before breaking out in 2021.
BEARCATS ON AWARD WATCH LISTS
Luke Fickell: Bobby Dodd (head coach)
Nick Mardner: Biletnikoff (wide receiver)
Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle: Mackey (tight end)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Butkus (linebacker)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Nagurski (overall defender)
Dylan O'Quinn and Jake Renfro: Outland (interior lineman)
Ryan Coe: Lou Groza (kicker)
Ryan Montgomery: Paul Hornung (most versatile)
Wilson Huber: Wuerffel (community service and playing field)
Wilson Huber: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (community service and playing field)
Deshawn Pace: Bednarik (top defensive player)
THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by Fickell, the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year, and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.
The Colerain High School product also earned a spot on the Nagurski and Butkus Award honor rolls this summer.
Pace did nearly everything for the Bearcats' No. 10 defense last fall, finishing sixth in the AAC with 94 tackles (nine for loss) and a team-high four interceptions. Two of those picks went for 39- and 27-yard returns against Indiana and Notre Dame, respectively, in consecutive games into the red zone. He had others against UCF and South Florida, while blocking a field goal at Navy that set up a 52-yard return and Alex Bales kick as time expired in the half. Pace finished with nine stops against No. 1 Alabama in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Pace played in eight games as a freshman reserve in 2020 before breaking out in 2021.
BEARCATS ON AWARD WATCH LISTS
Luke Fickell: Bobby Dodd (head coach)
Nick Mardner: Biletnikoff (wide receiver)
Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle: Mackey (tight end)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Butkus (linebacker)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Nagurski (overall defender)
Dylan O'Quinn and Jake Renfro: Outland (interior lineman)
Ryan Coe: Lou Groza (kicker)
Ryan Montgomery: Paul Hornung (most versatile)
Wilson Huber: Wuerffel (community service and playing field)
Wilson Huber: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (community service and playing field)
Deshawn Pace: Bednarik (top defensive player)
THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by Fickell, the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year, and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati's 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation's Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years.
Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.
While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.