Penn State defensive end Caleb Bacon’s dominant performance against Marshall earned him recognition from the Big Ten.
The conference announced Monday that Bacon was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week following Penn State’s 45-0 win over Marshall at Beaver Stadium.
It is the first Big Ten weekly honor of Bacon’s career.
The redshirt senior made his presence felt immediately against the Thundering Herd, recording six tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. All six of his tackles came in the first half as Penn State built a commanding lead.
Bacon also recorded solo tackles for loss on consecutive plays during the first quarter. The performance marked the second multi-tackle-for-loss game of his career.
Bacon, a 6-foot-4, 242-pound Lake Mills, Iowa, native, transferred to Penn State after playing at Iowa State. He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection and a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2025.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He also earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors on Dec. 1, 2025.
For his career, Bacon has accumulated 137 tackles, including 76 solo stops, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
His performance helped Penn State open the Matt Campbell era with a shutout. It was the Nittany Lions’ first shutout in a season opener since a 52-0 victory over Akron in 2017.
Penn State also recorded a shutout in a head coach’s debut for the first time since Dick Harlow led the Nittany Lions to a 26-0 win over Westminster in 1915.
No. 18/17 Penn State will play its first road game of the season Saturday against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on ESPN2.
