LEWISBURG, PA – Bucknell football safety Matthew Steinbeck (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) has received his second honor of the summer from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). On Wednesday, Steinbeck was one of 33 FCS players named to the CFPA National Defensive Performer of the Year Watch List. In June, Steinbeck earned a spot on the CFPA Defensive Back Award Watch List.
A First Team All-Patriot League selection a year ago and a Preseason All-Patriot League pick a couple weeks ago, Steinbeck led the Patriot League with six interceptions and ranked second nationally with .55 interceptions per game. He tied for seventh on the program’s single-season interception list and is one of just three Bison in the last dozen years with at least six interceptions in a season.
One of just four Bison defensive players to start all 11 games last fall, Steinbeck was eighth on the squad with 44 tackles and he registered 1.5 tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups. At Bucknell’s end-of-season banquet, Steinbeck was presented the Clarke Hinkle Award as the team’s outstanding defensive back or linebacker.
Steinbeck enters his junior year with 60 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, six interceptions and two pass breakups in his two-year career. He has appeared in all 22 games since stepping onto campus in the summer of 2011.
Steinbeck and the rest of the Bison are in the midst of preseason camp. Wednesday afternoon’s practice is scheduled 3:45-6:30 p.m. and will mark the first session in full pads. Bucknell’s first game is Sept. 7 vs. Marist at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
