Beavs' Paea among final 16 for Bednarik Award

OREGON STATE defensive tackle Stephen Paea has been selected one of 16 semifinalists for the 16th annual Bednarik Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club. Paea is the only player from the Pac-10 Conference to make the semifinal cut.

Stephen Paea, who has faced double teams galore his senior season, was the 2009 co-recipient of the Pac-10 Conference’s Morris Trophy for the league’s top defensive lineman. The native of Tonga was a 2009 Pac-10 First Team selection and earned honorable mention in 2008.

Paea, with four regular season games remaining, has career totals of 105 total tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss and 12 quarterback sacks.

Paea and Oregon State host Washington State this Saturday for Dad’s Weekend, The game will be televised live on FSN-Northwest beginning at 1 p.m.