Trophy, which was a newly created award for the most outstanding player to have begun his career as a walk on. On November 20, he posted his first career quarterback sack during a season-high twelve tackle performance against Wisconsin. With one week remaining on the conference schedule, the performance tied Kovacs for third-overall in the Big Ten, gave Kovacs a wide lead among Big Ten underclassman (8.64 vs. 7.55 per game over the next highest performer) and extended his lead among Big Ten defensive backs (8.64 vs 8.27). In the final game of the regular season on November 27 against Ohio State in the annual Michigan – Ohio State football rivalry game, Kovacs recorded his second interception of the season and third of his career as part of a 17-tackle effort. He collected a career-best 41 return yards following the interception. In The Game, Kovacs tied a career-high with 17 total tackles including a new career-high 9 solo tackles. Kovacs ended the 2010 Big Ten Conference football season ranked second in the conference to teammate Jonas Mouton in total tackles. However, he led the team in solo tackles. Following the Big Ten Conference season, he was selected as an honorable mention All-Conference selection by the media. Junior (2011) When Brady Hoke took over as Michigan head coach for the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Kovacs impressed him quickly. Kovacs was one of the first five players named as a starter for the 2011 team. In the September 3, 2011 season opener against Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium, Kovacs forced a fumble that was recovered and advanced for a touchdown. Although the game was ended by mutual agreement in the third quarter due to inclement weather, Kovacs recorded 10 tackles, including two sacks. He was named the Lott Trophy impact player of the week. At first, the stats for the game were considered official by the Big Ten Conference and the University of Michigan, but the NCAA has vacated the statistics for this game because three quarters were not completed. However, at the conclusion of the regular season, the NCAA reversed course and ruled that since the game is counting for win–loss record, the statistics will be counted by the NCAA. On September 10, against Notre Dame, during the first night game ever played at Michigan Stadium, he tallied an interception, and eight tackles. When it became evident that