Badgers FootballWednesday, November 11
Badgers linebackers Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa are Bednarik Award semifinalists
The 608today team
If you follow the Badgers, here's good news: sophomore linebackers Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa are Bednarik Award semifinalists, the first Badgers on the list since John Torchio in 2022. The Maxwell Football Club named 18 semifinalists Tuesday for the award, given to the nation's top defensive player. Catalano leads the Big Ten with 90 tackles, and Posa ranks fourth with 73.
Catalano and Posa rank first and second among FBS tacklers since last October
| Cooper Catalano | Measure | Mason Posa |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Tackles this season | 73 |
| 133 | Tackles in 14 games since last October | 123 |
Sources: GazetteXtra, Channel 3000
- Two semifinalists each: Wisconsin and Georgia, the only schools
- Last Badger finalist: Erasmus James in 2004
- Wisconsin winners: none, ever
Both will face Wisconsin's offense in practice this week, where true freshman Ryan Hopkins is staying at quarterback after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week against Rutgers. Posa said Hopkins has responded well: "Now he's got to do it again."
Bednarik finalists will be named Nov. 24
- Nov. 10Maxwell Football Club announces 18 Bednarik semifinalists.
- Nov. 14Badgers play at Maryland, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT.
- Nov. 24Maxwell Football Club will reveal three finalists.
Source: Channel 3000
Sources: GazetteXtra, Channel 3000