ITHACA, N.Y. -- Senior linebacker Luke Banbury put on a defensive performance for the ages this weekend in Cornell's 34-21 win over Bucknell. For his efforts, Banbury was named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. He is the first defensive player in Cornell history to earn the National Player of the Week honors, and the first Big Red to be honored since the 2022 season when Jackson Kennedy was named the FedEx Ground National Special Teams Player of the Week. 

Bunbury became the second player in single-game recorded history at Cornell (since 1995) to tally a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six. In addition to his turnover prowess, the Pittsburgh, Pa., native posted seven tackles including five solo stops. He also tallied three PBUs, the most by a Cornellian since the 2021 season. The fumble recovery, which came on Bucknell's first drive of the game, stopped a Bucknell touchdown after Jeremiah Lewis forced it at the Cornell two-yard line, and Banbury dove on it on the one. The interception came on the subsequent Bucknell drive, which he returned for 26 yards to the house.

In addition to the national recognition, Banbury was also named the Ivy League's Defensive Player of the Week.

Banbury and the rest of the Big Red are set to take on Brown this weekend when the team travels to Providence, R.I. on Saturday, October 26. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. on ESPN+.