Accolades were pouring in for Northwestern sophomore linebacker Anthony Walker after his phenomenal performance against Duke on Sept. 19. He had amassed a career-best 19 tackles to win the Big Ten defensive player of the week award and the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week honor. In one game, he had rightfully placed his name firmly on the radar of many college football fans.

Back at Northwestern, in the quiet of the film room that weekend, coaches saw another story developing as they charted the team's defensive plays. Walker had no doubt been sensational in finishing off so many tackles. But they couldn't turn away from the manner in which senior defensive end Dean Lowry seemed to blow up so many Duke plays and funnel tackles in Walker's direction.

So, coaches decided to give their own defensive player of the week honor to Lowry, who had amassed six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.

"He was just so active," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald explained. "It's pretty typical that when you watch a game as a fan, you see the oohs and the aah plays, the interceptions or fumbles recovered or things of that nature. Frankly, it's the dirty work that happens in the trenches that typically wins you football games, and especially with the defensive line.

"Anthony wouldn't have made half the plays he made if it wasn't for Dean and the guys up front."

Lowry has developed into one of the unsung heroes of Northwestern's defense, which is putting together perhaps its finest defensive season since the Wildcats' 1995 Rose Bowl team. He will look to continue that strong play when No. 20 Northwestern (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) visits No. 25 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1) at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

"I feel like I'm playing my best football right now," Lowry said. "I can't really say I've had excellent years in previous years that put me on the radar. I think I'm just getting better each season, and that's what I've done so far."

Northwestern is off to its first 8-2 start since 1996, and Lowry's contributions on defense are considered a key reason for the team's success. He ranks seventh in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (12.5) and, at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, is a run-stuffing end that can disrupt plays in several ways.

Take, for example, his performance during Northwestern's 30-28 victory against Nebraska on Oct. 24, when he set a school record with six tackles for loss, including two sacks, and totaled 10 tackles. The six TFLs tied for the most by a Big Ten player in a single game since Purdue's Rob Ninkovich tallied seven in 2005. Northwestern also held Nebraska to 82 rushing yards that game.

It's no wonder, then, that with Lowry and Walker, Northwestern ranks 12th nationally in scoring defense (17.6 points per game) and 18th in total defense (320.4 yards). And while Walker has been an intimidating physical presence as an underclassman, Lowry has had to work to achieve that goal. He has gained 60 pounds since finishing high school, and Fitzgerald noted his effort in the film room, the weight room and in practice is impressive. Since serving as a backup to Tyler Scott as a true freshman in 2012, Lowry has been a staple in the starting lineup, having started 31 games at defensive end over the past three seasons.

Lowry considers his role model to be Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, the former Wisconsin player who has twice won the NFL's defensive player of the year honor. Of course, it's easy to see that Watt is "freakishly athletic," said Lowry, who grew up in Rockford, Illinois, about 80 miles from Madison. But what Lowry most admires about Watt is his relentless effort.

Lowry can identify with taking pride in the small things to make big plays, like having the awareness and stamina to keep hands up during a pass rush to knock balls down. He has five pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries and even blocked an extra point attempt against Ball State earlier this season.

"Anybody can bench 400 pounds or squat 600 pounds," Lowry said. "The guys that are the best players in my opinion play with a high motor."

Soon enough, Lowry figures to join Watt in the NFL, though Lowry won't go far enough to suggest he shares many other similarities with the best defensive player in the game. Still, Lowry's combination of size and wingspan, coupled with the intangible work ethic traits and willingness to be coached, make him Northwestern's best NFL prospect for the upcoming 2016 draft.

Fitzgerald described Lowry as a physical force who has been disruptive every game and noted he was performing at an all-Big Ten level. Whether he earns the honor remains to be seen. Lowry, for his part, would prefer to focus on helping his bowl-bound Wildcats win 11 games for the first time in program history.

It is a feat that wouldn't be possible without one of the team's most important and unheralded pieces.

"He's not a guy of a lot of flash and pomp and circumstance off the field," Fitzgerald said. "He's a throwback football player. ... All the scouts that have been through are incredibly excited about him and his future, and he's only a true senior. So I still think his best football is still ahead of him, and I'm excited to watch him finish here the last month of the season."