Syracuse Defensive End Dwight Freeney Named Finalist for 2001 Lombardi Award
11/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Freeney leads the nation in sacks with an NCAA and Syracuse single-season record 16.5. The BIG EAST single-season sacks record is 17 set by Virginia Tech’s Corey Moore in 1999. Freeney is also tied for the BIG EAST single-season tackles for a loss record with 26. Freeney also has 46 tackles, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He had a stretch of seven straight games with at least two sacks and had a streak of 14 straight games with at least one sack. For details on Freeney’s outstanding season, including video highlights of his great plays, visit www.suathletics.com/dwightfreeney.
In addition to Freeney, the Lombardi Award finalist list includes linebacker Rocky Calmus (Oklahoma), defensive end Alex Brown (Florida) and defensive end Julius Peppers (North Carolina)
The four Finalists and their head coaches will be flown to Houston on December 4 for a myriad of activities in Houston, which include visits to local hospitals and area youth groups. The culmination of their activities in Houston will be the black tie dinner at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on December 5, where the 32nd recipient of The Rotary Lombardi Award will be revealed. Dom Capers, head coach of the Houston Texans will be the featured speaker, while longtime Houston broadcaster Ron Stone will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
Tickets for the 2001 Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner begin at $200 and can be purchased by calling the Rotary Office (713) 973-9936. Information on tickets is also available on-line at www.rotarylombardiaward.com.
Freeney is also a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the nation’s outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award, which is voted on by the Football Writers Association of America, is presented in Charlotte, NC, on December 10. The five finalists for the Nagurski Award will be announced on November 20. Freeney’s name is also on the Bednarik Award list, presented by the Maxwell Football Club and numerous All-America teams. The finalists for the Bednarik Award will attend the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Orlando, FL, on Dec. 6.
Freeney and the 13th-ranked Orangemen (8-2 overall, 5-0 BIG EAST) will travel to play at #1/#2 Miami on Saturday, November 17 at the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m..
