Prior to the bowl game announcements, Wilson didn’t expect to rack up any postseason hardware despite his worthy statistics. When NC State called a meting, he expected it to be about where the Wolfpack would play their bowl game and honor the team’s captains, but Wilson said it was “an awesome surprise” to receive the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker.

“I’m just honored and humbled,” Wilson said. “All praise to the Lord. Growing up as a linebacker, always looking up to Dick Butkus, and just knowing about the Butkus Award my whole life, you know, it’s been a dream of mine and to accomplish it it means a lot to me.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus passed away in October, and his legacy lives on in the form of the award in his namesake that honors the top linebacker in college football.

This year, that distinction went to Wilson, who was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year on the way to a team-leading 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Wilson also received the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented each year to the best defensive player in college football.

Wilson made the decision to return to NC State for a sixth season after five successful years, some impacted by injury. Wilson has suffered knee and shoulder injuries in his career, and that didn’t derail him from receiving recognition after a stellar sixth season.

“That’s just a credit to the Lord just staying with me through the trials and tribulations and just bringing me out on the brighter side,” Wilson said. “Coming back for this last year, just helping me make that decision, and eventually it turned out to work for the best.”

Wilson hails from Hillsborough, North Carolina, an in-state native who played for his home school.

He was named to six All-America teams after this season, and he’s earned First Team All-ACC honors in his career.

But the accolades may not be what means most to Wilson.

“I don’t know if anyone knows it, (but) my parents never miss a game,” Wilson said. “They’ve never missed anything in my life with sporting events. Me and my brothers played three sports growing up. They’re flying all the time in Milwaukee and to my games, so just to win that for my family, family from Hillsborough, North Carolina, that means a lot to me.”

And people seem to have a special place in Wilson’s life.

“I won this award, but coach (Dave) Doeren, coach (Tony) Gibson, all my teammates, they were here to support me this year and without them none of this would’ve happened,” Wilson said.

Wilson and NC State will face Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28.

While the Wolfpack prepare to face the Wildcats, Wilson appears to have already found a place to keep his postseason awards.

“My dad is definitely going to want this trophy,” Wilson said. “This probably won’t go up in my apartment anywhere. He’ll probably put this one somewhere at the house.”

The post NC State LB Payton Wilson cherishes Bednarik, Butkus awards appeared first on Saturday Glory.

That number dropped by one after then-No. 6 Oklahoma fell 38-33 to unranked Kansas last Saturday afternoon. The Sooners gave up a season-high rushing total and allowed four rushing touchdowns. 

PODCAST: Lance Leipold is the Exact Opposite of Deion Sanders

It will remain interesting to see where the College Football Playoff rankings select each of the remaining undefeated teams. Currently, Liberty is the only unranked unbeaten team in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. 

Here are some noteworthy quotes as focus turns from Week 9 to Week 10.   

Dave Doeren, NC State 

NC State picked up a statement win on Saturday. 

The Wolfpack defeated Clemson 24-17, and they did so behind two touchdown passes from quarterback MJ Morris. 

On ESPN College GameDay, former Utah wide receiver Steve Smith said he thinks NC State is already looking forward to basketball season, calling the program a “basketball school.” 

Well, NC State head coach Dave Doeren heard Smith’s pregame comments, and had a response come postgame. 

“Tell Steve Smith in the studio this ain’t a basketball school,” Doeren said. “He can kiss my a–.” 

Jedd Fisch, Arizona 

Arizona picked up what could be seen as the second-best win of the win earning a 27-24 win over then-No. 11 Oregon State. 

The Wildcats went into halftime tied at 10 apiece with the Beavers. They outgained Oregon State 232 yards to 190 in the second half and averaged 6.4 yards per play. 

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita completed 78% of his passes and threw three touchdowns during the win. He added 275 yards through the air. 

READ: Stat Pack: Week 9

Wildcats head coach Jedd Fisch was ecstatic postgame after the win, and he said he saw the game down the middle until the end. 

“One of those games that almost everything was equal: 30 rushes, 29 rushes, 62 plays, 62 plays, 27 first downs, 24 first downs, whatever it might have been,” Fisch said. “But the final score was a field goal game and that’s what it felt like it was the whole time, and I’m glad that we came out on top. Hats off to our team. I think our team had a fantastic resilience about themselves.” 

Pat Narduzzi, Pitt 

Pitt is in trouble with having its first losing season in six years. 

The Panthers are 2-6 to start the season, and they’ve lost their past two games and six of seven. 

Their fortunes didn’t change last Saturday as the Panthers dropped a 58-7 ballgame to No. 14 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish shut out Pitt in the first half 17-0 before turning on the jets for four offensive touchdowns and two defensive scores. 

READ: Oregon climbs to No. 6 in latest AP Top 25 poll

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi took responsibility for the loss postgame on Saturday. Furthermore, he took to X and posted more of his thoughts sharing where his team is at this point in the season. 

“I am 100% responsible for (Saturday)’s loss,” Narduzzi posted. “Like I said after the game, it starts with me. I didn’t do a good enough job coaching today. Put it on me! I remain committed to finishing the season strong with our team!” 

The post Quotables: Week 9  appeared first on Saturday Glory.