VERMILLION, S.D. — Sophomore defensive lineman Mi'Quise Grace has been named a finalist for the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award which is awarded to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS football, organized and presented by STATS Perform.
 
Grace (So., Cincinnati, Ohio) ended the regular season leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) in tackles for loss (17.0) and sacks (9.5), despite playing one less game than most MVFC teams. He recorded a career-best four TFLs and 2.5 sacks against Indiana State back on November 9. Constantly applying pressure to the opponent's backfield, Grace has also recorded nine quarterback hurries.
 
Furthermore, the disruptiveness of Grace for opposing offenses extended into his ability to force mayhem. He's recorded two forced fumbles, along with a pair of fumble recoveries. He had a fumble return for a touchdown in the contest against South Dakota State.
 
On the season, he notched a pair of 2+ sack games and had at least one sack in six of the 11 games played so far this season. He also recorded 1.5+ TFLs in seven games, including 11.5 in the final five games.
 
He is one of 35 finalists for the national award with all 13 FCS conferences represented in the finalist pool. The MVFC saw four athletes named finalists for the Buchanan Award this season. Joining Grace includes defensive tackle Eli Mostaert (North Dakota State), linebacker Ben Bogle (Southern Illinois), and linebacker Caleb Francl (South Dakota State).
 
The 2024 Buck Buchanan Award winner will be announced at the STATS Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on January 4 in Frisco, Texas. The national award is named after legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan who starred at Grambling State (La.) as part of his Hall of Fame career.