ALABAMA'S JOHNSON IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - Alabama free safety Rashad Johnson has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Nov. 8.

Johnson, a 6-0, 186-pound senior from Sulligent, Ala., tied a Crimson Tide record with three interceptions in Alabama's 27-21 overtime victory at LSU. He returned one of the interceptions 54 yards for a touchdown and his third interception helped seal the win in overtime. Johnson also recorded four tackles, including a half sack.

Johnson is already on the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced next week.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee has selected a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents. This is the final week that a player of the week will be selected this season.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.com). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.com.

TEXAS TECH'S CHARBONNET IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - Texas Tech strong safety Daniel Charbonnet has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Nov. 1.

Charbonnet, a 5-11, 188-pound senior from the The Woodlands, Texas, was the defensive star of Texas Tech's 39-33 upset victory of then top-ranked Texas in Lubbock.

Charbonnet made four tackles, including one for loss, forced and recovered a fumble, broke up one pass and an intercepted a pass. He returned the interception 18 yards for a touchdown to help the Red Raiders improve to 9-0 and snap a 5-game losing streak to the Longhorns.

Charbonnet will be added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

GEORGIA'S GAMBLE IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - Georgia linebacker Darryl Gamble has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Oct. 25.

Gamble, a 6-2, 237-pound sophomore from Bainbridge, Ga., tied a Southeastern Conference record when he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in Georgia's 52-38 victory at LSU.

Gamble, who also had a career-high 13 tackles, had 93 yards in returns on the interceptions. His first pick was on the game's first play from of scrimmage and gave the Bulldog's a 7-0 lead with 14:40 left in the first quarter.

Gamble will be added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.com.

TOLEDO'S HERBERT IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - Toledo free safety Tyrrell Herbert has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Oct. 11.

Herbert, a 6-2, 201-pound senior from Pittsburgh, Pa., had two interceptions in the Rockets' 13-10 victory at Michigan - the first win for a current Mid-American Conference team in 25 all-time games against the Wolverines.

Herbert returned his first interception 100 yards for a score, the Rockets' lone touchdown on the day. Herbert's second pick came on the first play of the fourth quarter and gave Toledo the ball at Michigan's 40-yard line. The latter interception set up a 48-yard field goal for what proved to be the winning points. Herbert also recorded four unassisted tackles in the game.

Herbert will be added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

NORTH CAROLINA'S GODDARD IS BRONKO NAGURSKI PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - North Carolina strong safety Trimane Goddard has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Sept. 27.

Goddard, a 5-11, 195-pound senior from Robersonville, N.C., made eight tackles, intercepted two passes and broke up another in the Tar Heels' 28-24 come-from-behind victory at Miami.

On the final play of the game, Goddard intercepted a pass in the back of the end zone after knocking it out of the hands of the intended receiver. Earlier in the game, Goddard returned an interception 35 yards.

Goddard will be added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

Nagurski Watch: B.Owens Named Player of Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Arkansas State linebacker Ben Owens has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of the weekend of Aug. 30.
Owens, a 6-2, 230-pound senior from Bearden, Ark., registered seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. He helped the Arkansas State defense pitch a second-half shutout in an 18-14 upset of Texas A&M in College Station.

Owens was responsible for stopping the Aggies' last two drives of the game after the Red Wolves went ahead, 15-14. He recovered a fumble on the Texas A&M 39-yard line, setting up a field goal that gave Arkansas State a four-point lead with 1:12 left to play. His interception ended Texas A&M's final drive with 10 seconds remaining.
Owens will be added to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 7 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.

Each week during the 2008 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 13th season the FWAA has named a national defensive player of the year.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.com.

FWAA names five finalists for 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy

DALLAS (FWAA) - Five finalists for the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, including last season's winner James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, were announced on Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Vying for the honor of the best defensive football player in college football are Laurinaitis, LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey, Virginia end Chris Long, South Florida end George Selvie and Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 3 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer will give the keynote address.

In addition, the FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will present the first Bronko Nagurski Legends Award presented by CSX Intermodal to members of the Michigan State and Notre Dame football teams who played to the historic 10-10 tie in 1966.

The FWAA award is named after Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-America at any position, playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up.

Laurinaitis, a 6-3, 240-pound junior linebacker from Hamel, Minn., will spearhead the Buckeyes' defense in their showdown with Michigan on Saturday.

He was named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week this season for his inspiring career- high, 19-tackle performance in the Buckeyes' 38-17 victory over Wisconsin. This season, Laurinatis has eight tackles for 32 yards in losses and 97 total tackles for the once-beaten Buckeyes. He will seek to join Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald (1995-96) as the second player to win back-to-back Nagurski Trophies.

Dorsey, a 6-2, 303-pound senior from Gonzales, La., has been a stalwart on top-ranked LSU's line the entire season. He has 53 total tackles (33 unassisted) and 11.5 tackles for 62 yards in losses. He has three pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries.

Long, a 6-4, 284-pound senior from Ivy, Va., and son of former NFL great Howie Long, has been instrumental in three Virginia road victories this season. He scored a safety in Virginia's 18-17 victory over Maryland; his 25-yard interception return set up the Cavaliers' winning field goal in a 22-20 victory over North Carolina; and his blocked field goal preserved Virginia's 23-21 victory over Middle Tennessee. On the season, Long has 69 total tackles (30 unassisted), 17 tackles for 114 yards in losses and seven pass break- ups for Virginia, 9-2.

Selvie, a 6-4, 242-pound sophomore from Pensacola, Fla., with 53 total tackles (41 unassisted), leads the country in tackles for loss (30.5) for 138 yards. He is two shy of breaking the NCAA record. Of those tackles for loss, 14.5 are sacks. He has 10 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick for the Bulls, 7-3, who still have two regular-season games remaining.

Talib, a 6-2, 205-pound junior from Richardson, Texas, leads the Big 12 Conference in passes defended. He has 48 tackles (31 unassisted), 3.5 tackles for eight yards in losses, four interceptions (135 return yards) and 11 pass break-ups for the unbeaten Jayhawks. He returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against Florida International. He also is known as a hard-hitter, knocking Oklahoma State receiver Adarius Bowman out of the Jayhawks' most recent victory.

Ohio State's Laurinaitis is Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of Nov. 3.

Laurinaitis, a 6-3, 240-pound junior from Hamel, Minn., registered 19 tackles (nine unassisted) in Ohio State's 38-17 victory over Wisconsin. He made a key stop on Wisconsin's fake punt attempt in the fourth quarter and also had two tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and a fumble recovery.

This coming Monday, Nov. 12, five finalists will be announced for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Last season, Laurinaitis won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 12th season the FWAA has named a Defensive Player of the Year.

Vanderbilt's Moore is Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games of Oct. 20.

Moore, a 5-10, 175-pound sophomore from Spartanburg, S.C., had two interceptions and added a team high eight tackles (five unassisted) in Vanderbilt's 17-6 upset of sixth-ranked South Carolina. One of Moore's interceptions was in the end zone and thwarted a Gamecock scoring drive.

Vanderbilt's stunning victory at South Carolina was over its highest ranked opponent in 70 years, since beating sixth-ranked LSU in 1937.

Moore will be added to the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Each week during the 2007 season the FWAA All- America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Iowa's Humpal is Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Iowa linebacker Mike Humpal has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week for games of Oct. 13.

Humpal, a 6-3, 242-pound senior from New Hampton, Iowa, registered a career-high 18 tackles (2.5 for losses) and recovered a fumble in Iowa's 10-6 upset victory over nationally-ranked Illinois. With Iowa holding its four-point lead, Humpal recovered an Illinois fumble in Hawkeye territory early in the fourth quarter.

Illinois had been averaging 30.2 points and 261.2 yards rushing per game. Iowa held the Illini to more than 24 points below their seasonal scoring average and to 137 yards rushing.

Humpal will be added to the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Each week during the 2007 season the FWAA All- America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 12th season the FWAA has named a Defensive Player of the Year.