TC St. Francis Grad Riley Bullough Named to Bednarik Award Watch List

Michigan State senior linebacker and Traverse City St. Francis graduate Riley Bullough has been named to the 2016 Bednarik Award watch list.

Bullough is one 90 players on the watch list for the award that is presented to the nation’s defensive player of the year.

A three-year letterwinner, Bullough has tallied 138 career tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, as well as four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. The senior scored his first career touchdown on a 44-yard interception return in MSU’s win over Maryland last November.

Marking his first season as a starting middle linebacker in 2015, Bullough led the Spartans in total tackles with a 106, ranking 16th in the Big Ten.

Named after two-time All-American center Chuck Bednarik, semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Oct. 31, with three finalists selected on Nov. 21. The winner will be announced on Dec. 8 in Atlanta, Ga.