Penn State DE Abdul Carter Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

One of Penn State’s key defensive weapons has earned a notable weekly honor. Abdul Carter, who played both defensive end and linebacker for the Nittany Lions against Illinois this past weekend, has been named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Carter tallied seven tackles, two sacks and forced the game-sealing fumble in the 21-7 win over the Fighting Illini. He joins safety Kevin Winston Jr., who earned the honor after the team’s season-opening win at West Virginia, as Penn State’s second player to win the weekly award this season.

Before Winston, who is now out with a “long-term” injury, a Nittany Lion hadn’t earned the honor since Sept. 19, 2022.

It took Carter three games to find his first sack of the year, his first since switching from linebacker to defensive end. But since that sack against Kent State, Carter has been nearly unstoppable.

“I think as this goes on, as he continues to get more comfortable playing defensive end — but then as the coaches find more and more creative ways to use him, I think that’s the exciting part, that’s the fun part — I think you’re just going to see him become more and more impactful each week,” James Franklin said.