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ECU's Rimpf named Outland Trophy candidate
Watch list includes players from Cincinnati, Memphis
From C-USA Media Relations
East Carolina's Brian Rimpf is among three Conference USA offensive linemen
who have been named preliminary candidates for the 2002 Outland Trophy. The
award is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the top
interior lineman in college football each season.
Rimpf, a junior left tackle, and Cincinnati senior right tackle Josh
Gardner, both of whom have received preseason All-American recognition, are
joined by Memphis senior center Jimond Pugh on the list.
Rimpf helped cleared the way last season for East Carolina’s record-setting
running back Leonard Henry. The junior earned All-Conference accolades last
fall after being named to the league’s All-Freshman team the previous
campaign. This summer, Rimpf received All-American mention by Football News
and Street and Smith’s. Rimpf started every 2001 game at left tackle and
graded out at 80 percent.
Gardner is a four-year starter that was named a third team preseason
All-American by Athlon’s magazine this summer. Considered a strong pass
blocker, Gardner, played nearly every snap on offense during his junior
season. One of two returning team captains, he has started all 35 games
during his UC career.
Pugh has been the Tigers starting center each of the last two seasons after
transferring from Florida A&M. He was the only Memphis player to line up for
every single snap during the 2000 season and he was on the field for 684 out
of 744 offensive plays last season. Pugh has started 22 consecutive games at
center, since moving from guard.
The winner of the 2002 Outland Trophy will be announced Dec. 12 on the ESPN
College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla. Three finalists will be
selected by the FWAA All-America Committee in late November and will appear
on the show.
The winner also will receive his trophy during a banquet on Jan. 9 in Omaha,
Neb. The banquet is sponsored by the Omaha Sports Committee, which
additionally will honor a past Outland winner at the Doubletree Hotel in
downtown Omaha.
Miami's Bryant McKinnie won the 2001 Award while leading his team to the
national championship. Tennessee's John Henderson, the 2000 Outland winner,
was one of the three finalists for the 2001 Award, but failed to become the
second person to win back-to-back Outland Trophies. Dave Rimington of
Nebraska (1981 and 1982) remains the only two-time winner.
The Outland Trophy has been presented every year since 1946 and is the third
oldest award in major-college football. The award is named after the late
John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn during the turn of the century.
Dr. Outland established the award in 1946, a year before his death, with the
help of the FWAA. He believed it was important for lineman to receive
greater recognition. And for the last 56 years they have because of his
award.
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02/23/2007 01:21 PM |
