Nkemdiche Named Player Of Week

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss junior defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has been selected as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week in recognition of his dominating performance in the Rebels’ 43-37 win over No. 2 Alabama.

The award is given weekly by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player of the week.

Nkemdiche was a handful up front in the Rebels’ first win in Tuscaloosa since 1988, recording six tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and being credited with half a sack. His constant pressure in the Crimson Tide backfield helped the Rebel defense force three of the team’s five turnovers (the other two on special teams). His season totals include 11 tackles, 3.5 TFLs (-16 yards) and 0.5 sacks (-4 yards). He has also scored two offensive touchdowns this season – one rushing and one receiving.

Earlier this week, the Loganville, Georgia, native was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

Nkemdiche was listed on preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy, as well as the Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

No. 3 Ole Miss plays host to Vanderbilt this Saturday at 6 p.m. CT in Oxford.