Dan Connor has racked up numerous tackles and honors during his four-year career at Penn State.

The senior middle linebacker would like nothing better than to add one of college football's major awards to his resume.

Connor is one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which will be presented tonight to Division I's top defensive player, and the Butkus Award, to be handed out tomorrow to the best linebacker.

"It's a real honor to be in the running for two national awards," Connor said.

He joins LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis as candidates for the Bednarik hardware, which is awarded by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia and will be announced during Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards program.

Connor, Laurinaitis and Colorado's Jordon Dizon are in the mix for the Butkus, which is doled out by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Fla.

Connor, 6 feet 3 and 233 pounds, finished second a year ago in the Bednarik balloting to teammate Paul Posluszny, who also won the award in 2005.

"I think Dan's going to win one of these two awards, but I'm not sure which one," Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "He's had a great season. Anytime you do what he did and show the consistency he's shown over his career, you deserve an award.

"We've asked him to do so many different things in four years. He played inside as a freshman and moved outside, then back inside. He's been very consistent and he's never been hurt. He just does so many things well."

Connor not only is the Big Ten Conference's leading tackler with 136 stops, he is No. 1 on the Nittany Lions' all-time list with 410. He also has 14 tackles for losses, 6 1/2 sacks and an interception.

Outside linebacker Sean Lee from Upper St. Clair High School has been hot on Connor's heels all season. Lee is the No. 2 tackler with 124.

"He could easily be on all these lists and be getting all this postseason attention," Connor said. "But he's a real modest guy, it doesn't seem to bother him that much. In my opinion, it's a little bit unfair. He should be making these rounds at the end of the season."

Lee, a junior, isn't too concerned. He figures his accolades will come next year.

"I haven't really gotten too worked up about not getting the spotlight," Lee said. "Sooner or later, it'll be my turn to be somewhat recognized, but that's not a concern of [mine] right now."

Connor is considered a first-round draft pick.

"He has versatility and he can do a lot of different things," Bradley said. "One of the interesting things about him is how well he plays the pass. He has a real good feel for it."

NOTES -- Felony aggravated assault charges were dropped yesterday in Centre County Court against starting defensive tackle Chris Baker and backup linebacker Navorro Bowman. Baker and Bowman are still facing misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct and a summary charge of harassment for their alleged roles in an October fight at the student-union building on campus. ... Meanwhile, the trials of Baker and starting safety Anthony Scirrotto, who are facing charges for their alleged roles in an April 1 fight at an off-campus apartment, have been pushed back to early next year.