Dec. 4, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the second consecutive year, Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald will present the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation's outstanding defensive player, this Thursday, Dec. 6 at ESPN's Home Depot Football Awards Show in Orlando (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).

Fitzgerald, a two-time recipient of the Bednarik Award in 1995 and '96, presented last year's award to Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny. Posluszny joined Fitzgerald as the only two-time award winners last year.

Finalists for the 13th annual Bednarik Award are: linebacker Dan Connor (Penn State), tackle Glenn Dorsey (LSU) and linebacker James Laurinaitis (Ohio State).

Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will host the show which will originate from the Atlantic Dance Hall on Disney's Boardwalk at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.