Ohio State's Laurinaitis is Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of Nov. 3.

Laurinaitis, a 6-3, 240-pound junior from Hamel, Minn., registered 19 tackles (nine unassisted) in Ohio State's 38-17 victory over Wisconsin. He made a key stop on Wisconsin's fake punt attempt in the fourth quarter and also had two tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and a fumble recovery.

This coming Monday, Nov. 12, five finalists will be announced for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Last season, Laurinaitis won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 12th season the FWAA has named a Defensive Player of the Year.