Conference USA has two defensive players that have been named as semifinalists for a pair of national awards.  Louisiana Tech senior DE Jaylon Ferguson is listed among the 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, while UTSA junior LB Josiah Tauaefa was named among 10 semifinalists for the Dick Butkus Award.
 
Through the first eight games of his senior season, Ferguson leads the nation with 10.5 sacks, while he is currently the nation's active career leader with 38 sacks.  Last Friday night, Ferguson broke the Conference USA record for career sacks, while he also tied the Louisiana Tech career sacks mark.  The senior defensive end is six sacks shy of matching the all-time NCAA record for career sacks, which is held by Terrell Suggs, who recorded 44 sacks at Arizona State from 2000-02.
 
Ferguson, who is a three-time all-conference selection, has recorded 37 total tackles this season, including 22 solo tackles.  In addition to his 10.5 sacks in 2018, Ferguson has also registered 14.5 tackles for a loss of 92 yards, while he has nine quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
 
Tauaefa leads the Roadrunners with 69 total tackles, 42 solo stops, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles to go along with a pair of quarterback hurries this season.  The Corinth, Texas, native has registered double-digit tackles in three games, including 26 combined in the last two contests.
 
A Freshman All-American and the Conference USA Freshman of the Year after setting UTSA’s single-season tackles record with 115 in 2016, Tauaefa registered 10 stops in the season opener at Arizona State and 13 against both Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss.  The Lake Dallas High School product turned in nine tackles — including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks — and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Lorenzo Dantzler in the 25-21 victory over Texas State.
 
The 24th annual Chuck Bednarik Award is presented to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.  The Maxwell Football Club has once again teamed with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners.
 
Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Wednesday Oct. 31 and will close on Nov. 18. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. All semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order by school with the player's school, position and class designated.
 
The winners of the 82nd Maxwell Award and the 24th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6, 2018. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
 
The 34^th annual Butkus Award® honors the nation’s best linebackers at the collegiate level.  The Butkus Award® is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization which advances health and wellness through special initiatives. This includes the I Play Clean® program encouraging athletes to play using their natural ability and avoid the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Each semi-finalist has provided a written confirmation that they play clean.
 
Selection is handled by a panel of 51 coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists who vote separately and confidentially using a 3-2-1 process. Selectors and selection criteria are posted at www.thebutkusaward.com.  Finalists will be announced November 19, and winners will be announced on or before December 4.