Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, has been a menace around the edge this season, racking up career-highs with 10 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Oregon’s offense is well aware of the threat he presents on the defensive line.

The Ducks are one win away from taking down Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State -- all in their first Big Ten season

Carter was named the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. The announcement came Tuesday afternoon on the Big Ten Network, where all the conference’s end-of-season awards were announced.

Penn State football's Abdul Carter is regarded as the best defender in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions junior, who switched positions this season, was named the league's top defensive lineman and top defender, overall, Tuesday by the annual vote of its coaches and media members. Carter led an extensive list of Penn State All-Big Ten performers.