Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen was named the recipient of the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, an award given to the best defensive player in college football. Allen, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound linebacker from Montclair, New Jersey, becomes Kentucky's first major award winner since Bob Gain won the Outland Trophy in 1950.
The senior has been one of the nation's top pass rushers with 14 sacks in the 2018 season to lead the Southeastern Conference. He also had SEC-best marks of 18.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. His 14 sacks are the single-season record at Kentucky, as are his 28.5 career sacks heading into the Wildcats' VRBO Citrus Bowl appearance on Janaury 1.
Allen has been clutch, as his defensive numbers improved late in games – 12 of his 14 sacks have come in the second half, with eight of those 12 in the fourth quarter. He clinched two of Kentucky's nine wins this season with a sack that caused a fumble that the Wildcats recovered on their opponents' final possession.
“Just the way he impacts the game being a big guy, he's really remarkable,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said. “He's so unselfish. You see players so often in situations like that (trying to make a play), and he won't blink an eye if we're not rushing him. He doesn't even think about it. When he gets his opportunities, he's going to go. He wanted the (school sack) record, but not at the expense of our defense and what we're doing and game planning.”
In addition, those 14 sacks have been drive-breakers for opponents. Of the 14 drives in which Allen registered a sack, opponents ran 81 plays for just 211 yards of total offense, or 2.6 yards per play. The 14 drives combined resulted in no points, eight punts, and four turnovers.
Allen was the SEC Defensive Player of the Week four times this season and posted double-figure tackles in three games. On the season, Allen has 84 total tackles, six quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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