Missouri's Brown is Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - Missouri strong safety Pig Brown has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for games during the first weekend of the 2007 season.
Brown, 5-11, 205-pound senior from Adel, Ga., was the star of the Tigers' 40-34 season-opening victory over Illinois in St. Louis. Brown recovered two fumbles - one of which he returned for a touchdown, an NCAA record-tying 100 yards. He also made a leaping interception in the end zone with less than a minute to play to preserve the victory. Brown had five tackles, including one for a loss.

He 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.

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.

NFL DRAFT & COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT:

“COLT FIRES OPENING ROUND IN HEISMAN CAMPAIGN”
By: John Murphy

Hawaii senior quarterback Colt Brennan rolled out the first of what could be many unbelievable statistical performances against Northern Colorado. He passed for 416 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 34-out-of-40 passes, including 2-3 drops, and only played the first two quarters of the game. Head coach June Jones may have tried to call off the dogs early, but at this pace he will break 60 touchdown passes on the season to go along with roughly 5,000 yards. What you like most about his game is that he has a quick release, excellent arm strength and puts most of his balls right on the mark. His negatives are that he is somewhat slim-framed, is not playing in a pro-style attack, teams will wonder what type of footwork he will have under center and if he can be an effective deep ball passer at the next level. However, one thing that has come to light over the spring and into Week 1 is that Brennan is using his final year of eligibility to work on his leadership and intangibles as fellow players say he is now more of a vocal leader in the locker room and has very good command of the huddle, as well. He may still be seen by NFL evaluators as a product of the system he has been playing in, but with his head coach pushing him as being the best QB he has ever coached there is a chance that some NFL team will try for a 2-for-1 next season by drafting Brennan and bringing June Jones with him as their new offensive coordinator.

TCU senior defensive end Tommy Blake could make his return to the team and football field in time for this week’s match-up with in-state rival Texas as the two teams face off with the chance for the Horned Frogs to gain National attention with an upset win over the favored Longhorns. It is that very attention that may have led to a few recent days where Blake has opted to return home or shy away from all the lights, cameras, action of being a possible first-round choice in next year’s NFL Draft and decide to get rid of his phone to avoid the pestering of new found friends and agents. Blake is a great kid that has his family always near the front of his mind and returned to school to not only play with his senior class, but in order to earn his degree. He has had a few rough moments over the past few months with shouldering the load of future promises, possible scenarios and being the “Man” when he just wants to be one of the guys. So if you are reading this remember that Blake is not just a feared pass rusher that led his team in sacks and tackles for loss, but a 22-year old college senior with plenty on his plate and the desire to just exhale once in awhile without everyone else wanting to catch his breath for him.

Virginia Tech senior linebackers Vince Hall, who led the team with 13 tackles against East Carolina, and Xavier Adibi are two of the key components if the Hokies are to upset LSU on the road this weekend. Hall has very good instincts and plays faster than he times in workouts, but may be a step behind some of the Tigers offensive weapons as LSU has one of the fastest teams in the country man-for-man. Up front, the play of senior defensive end Chris Ellis will be key as the Tigers showed some vulnerability to giving up big plays to pass rushers off the edge even though they handled the Mississippi State defense for most of the evening last Thursday.

University of Miami defensive line was as dominant as ever in their opening week victory over Marshall. Junior defensive end Calais Campbell made an eye-opening interception that maybe only a handful of NFL defensive linemen could make; a one-handed interception on a pass after shedding a blocker at the line of scrimmage. He combined that big play with strong performances from fellow junior defensive end Eric Moncur and senior Vegas Franklin, who combined for 3.5 sacks and many more hurries from the outside. Moncur is the under-rated guy of this whole group as he may be as quick off the ball as any front seven defender in the country. At 6-foot-2, 255 pounds he has a compact frame and is very hard for opposing blockers to get a leverage advantage on him off the snap and then he flashes an explosive burst of closing speed to the quarterback that is saved for the likes of those sent to Hawaii at the end of NFL seasons. This group along with senior linebacker Tavares Gooden and junior safety Kenny Phillips could lead to a resurrection type victory over Oklahoma this coming week.

Vanderbilt junior wide receiver Earl Bennett and senior linebacker Jonathan Goff could very well be the best two players on the field Saturday afternoon when they host Alabama in one of the biggest games in recent school history. Why you might ask? The Commodores have more talent than usual, starting with Bennett who will complete his time in the SEC as the holder of all or most receiving records. Secondly, Goff leads a stout defender unit that is capable of stopping the run without crowding the box and has the speed and playmakers to create turnovers on the backside. Finally, they have a very friendly early schedule as they could run out to a 4-0 record with a win over the Crimson Tide and then have to find an upset road win down the stretch to earn a shot at a good bowl game.

N.C. State senior tight end Marcus Stone, who was once a much-heralded quarterback recruit, was one of only a few bright spots in the team’s Week 1 loss to Central Florida. He caught three passes for 67 yards, showing that his athleticism could allow him to adapt very well to his new position. NFL teams may view him as more of a motion tight end or H-Back type since he is 6-foot-2 and between 240-245 pounds, but he runs in the 4.6 range and has shown very good hands over a short period of time.

SMALL SCHOOL PATROL

By: John Murphy

Appalachian State senior offensive guard Kerry Brown (#76) may have gone un-noticed to the average college football fan during their monumental upset victory against the Michigan Wolverines. However, pro scouts certainly took notice as the 6-foot-6, 312-pound left guard recorded a total of 21 knockdown blocks while facing off against junior defensive tackle Will Johnson and junior defensive end Tim Jamison. He was constantly able to read their stunts and twists all day long and was never beaten by what many would consider some of the top talent he has faced to date; also played well against LSU a year ago. Brown has very good size, flashes the type of nasty streak to finish his blocks and can get out of his stance move well down field against his own level of competition. He still plays high at times on passing downs and does not show the same on-field strength as his size would indicate. Continued development in those areas could allow him to be a 5-to-7th round choice by next year’s NFL Draft.

Delaware senior running back Omar Cuff rushed 30 times for 244 yards and six touchdowns, he added a seventh touchdown, which tied an NCAA record for total touchdowns and points in a game at his level, on one of his four receptions out of the backfield. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior back is trying to regain the form that led him to gaining over 1,200 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. His eye-opening results against William & Mary could result in teams evaluating the fact that besides averaging 4.7 yards per carry over his career that he also has averaged three catches per game over that same period of time, which could increase his value as a possible third-down back at the next level.

Grambling State senior wide receiver/return man Reginald Jackson, may have earned the title of being the SWAC’s Mr. September, after catching six passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Alcorn State. His 198-yard effort in Week 1 was more yards than he gained throughout his entire junior campaign. According to the staff, the smallish vertical threat could be in for many big afternoons since most opponents are paying extra attention to pre-season All-SWAC senior wide receiver Clyde Edwards, who himself caught two touchdowns on just three receptions.

THE ROAD TO ATLANTA: THE SEC WEST

BY RAFAEL GARCIA
SEC INSIDER

LSU- The Tigers are not only the favorites to win the SEC West but also the SEC Championship. To top that off, they are a favorite to make the BCS Championship as well. First, they must replace JaMarcus Russell – that task falls on senior Matt Flynn. The young backs get a change after Alley Broussard abruptly quit the team. Wide receiver Early Doucet gets to start and the Tigers are expecting big numbers from him. He also happens to be a good return man. The offensive line needs to give Flynn the time to make good decisions when passing and they need to improve on the run game. All- American DT Glenn Dorsey -- the top player at stopping the run in the conference, leads the defense. He likes to bring it on every play and will be a first round pick in the 2008 draft. They are strong at the linebacker position, but they are looking to replace All-American safety LaRon Landry. Put it all together and the Tigers look like the beast of the SEC and maybe the college football world.

Auburn- The Tigers enter this season trying to win their sixth West title in Coach Tommy Tuberville’s nine years (a few were co-champs). Brandon Cox has a career 59 percent completion rate but has only one returning starter on the offensive line. Brad Lester was supposed to give the Tigers a solid running game, but his status is in question. On defense, they return future pro defensive end Quentin Groves, who is four sacks shy of the school record. They will be a bit soft at linebacker with Tray Blackman the only proven talent. The secondary is one of the best at covering the field. They did lose their punter and place kicker, from an important special teams. The Tigers led the SEC and placed fourth in the nation with a 26-yard average on kick returns. This team may not win the division but they won’t go out without a fight.

Alabama - Alabama and Nick Saban together at last. He is expected to win and win now. Say what you want about the guy but make sure you say he’s a winner, his track record proves it. Quarterback John Parker Wilson has bought in to the system, while Jimmy Johns and Terry Grant take over for Kenneth Darby in the backfield and DJ Hall is set to become the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. The defense makes the switch from 4-3 to the 3-4. It will all depend on the middle to see it work with the ends also doing their part as well. All-SEC corner Simeon Castille anchors the secondary. Saban is trying to implement a new mindset of consistency and domination on every play. Let’s see how long it takes them to turn the tide.

Arkansas- They are the defending West champs, still they lost to Florida in the SEC title game and to Wisconsin in the Liberty Bowl. Quarterback Casey Dick tries to develop under offensive coordinator David Lee and his new NFL style offense. Making that easier will be Heisman runner up Darren McFadden, who has all the skills from blocking to receiving. Oh by the way, his running mate Felix Jones had 1168 yards on the ground last year. The offensive line comes back strong and ready to help McFadden become the first Heisman winner in school history. They will feel the loss of end Jamaal Anderson, as they lack experience on the defensive side of the ball. The chances of a repeat in the West don’t look bright, but they weren’t supposed to win it last year either.

Ole Miss- Down in Rebel country the theme is offense baby. This unit was ranked 111th in the nation (261.5 yards per game) and that will keep you at or near the cellar in the West. Rumor has it that Brent Schaffer will move from quarterback to receiver, either way the job is Seth Adams to lose. They have a 1,000-yard back in BenJarvus Green-Ellis, yet that didn’t get them too many points in 2006. On defense, they lost all three starting backers, the secondary had only three interceptions last year, which all adds up too another long season for Ole Miss.

Mississippi State-The Bulldogs have won less than 20 games the last six years. Now their hopes rest on quarterback Michael Henig. He came on strong in the second half of last year fighting through injuries. Anthony Dixon provides stability in the backfield. The defense lost some key players and may not have enough to make an impact this season. The schedule does not help with only six home games. The goal is to get to .500 and build from there.

So as we can see this is a league of speed, agility as well as ability. It’s where NFL players are made. In this league there are no weeks off – here you man up and fight to the last yard. Welcome to the SEC ya’ll!

Appalachian State is Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week

DALLAS (FWAA) - With their 34-32 win at Michigan, the Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-0) are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Sept. 1.
Julian Rauch kicked a 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left and Corey Lynch blocked a Michigan field goal attempt in the final seconds as Appalachian State, which led, 31-20, before a late Michigan rally, pulled off the miraculous upset. It was Appalachian State's 15th straight win.

Someone said it might be one of the big victories in college football," Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore said after the game. "It may be the biggest."

The Mountaineers, the two-time defending Division I Championship Subdivision national champions, became the first team from that division (formerly Division I-AA) to beat a ranked team from the Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). They are also the first team from the FCS to win the honor in the six-year history of the national team of the week.

Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Sept. 1 included:

· California (1-0): DeSean Jackson returned a punt 77 yards for a score Justin Forsett ran for 158 yards as the Bears topped Tennessee, 45-31, to avenge a 35- 18 defeat from a year ago.

· Georgia Tech (1-0): Tashard Choice ran for 196 yards and two scores as the Ramblin' Wreck dismantled Notre Dame on the road, 33-3.

The FWAA has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. This is the third season that the award has been sponsored by the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Select members of the FWAA board of directors decide the weekly honor. Each Monday during the 2007 college football season, the FWAA will name the Tostitos Bowl National Team of the Week through Nov. 26.

Since 1971, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has hosted five games that have decided the college football national championship, including two Bowl Championship Series title games. Last season, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl presented three post-season games, including the Insight Bowl and the BCS title game. This season the game will be played on Jan. 2, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.