Mizzou Football junior DE Shane Ray (Kansas City, Mo.) has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 20th Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. The award is presented annually by the organization to the outstanding defensive player of the year.

With his record-breaking effort against Kentucky (Nov. 1), Ray leads the SEC in sacks with 12.0. During the final minutes of the game, Ray sacked Kentucky QB Patrick Towles to break the single-season sack record of 11.5, previously set by Aldon Smith in 2009 and matched by Michael Sam in 2013. His sack total currently ranks tied for second nationally.

The first-year starter also leads the SEC in tackles-for-loss with 16.0 among his 50 total tackles. Ray has earned SEC weekly honors twice and been the heart of the Mizzou defense that leads the league in sacks (31.0) and ranks tied for first in tackles-for-loss (69.0).

Ray was added to the Bednarik Award watch list on Oct. 15, based on his excellent performance at that point in the season. The original watch list was compiled based on top performers in 2013.

The Maxwell Football Club will announce the three finalists for the award on Nov. 24. The winner of the 20th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast on ESPN on Dec. 11. The formal presentation of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s 78th Awards Gala on Friday, March 13, 2015, at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

— MU Sports Information —