SU Linebacking Duo Named to Butkus Watch List

ORLANDO, Fla. – Syracuse linebackers Kellen Pruitt (Clinton, Md.) and Kelvin Smith (New Hempstead, N.Y.) have been named to the watch list for the 2004 Butkus Award presented to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker. The Orange is one of 10 teams in the nation to have more than one player on the list.

Pruitt, a junior, started all 12 games for Syracuse last season. He ranked fourth on the team with 96 tackles, including 8.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Pruitt led the SU linebacking corps with 2.5 sacks. He also led the team with three fumble recoveries and was second on the squad with three interceptions. Pruitt was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after his seven-tackle performance against Boston College. At Miami, he had 12 tackles, including a sack, blocked a punt and recovered two fumbles.

Smith started 11 games in 2003 as a redshirt freshman. He was named to The Sporting News BIG EAST All-Freshman Team and the publications Freshman All-America Third Team. Smith was fifth on the team in tackles with 68, including six for a loss. He had one sack and one interception. He registered a career-best 10 tackles versus Temple. Against North Carolina, Smith stopped the Tar Heels’ two-point conversion attempt in the third overtime to seal the Orange’s victory.

A total of 65 players were named to the Butkus Award Watch List by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando. Pruitt and Smith are two of six BIG EAST players on the list. The candidates will be pared to 10 semifinalists on October 14 and then trimmed to three finalists on November 11. The winner will be announced December 10.

Syracuse begins the season on Sunday, September 5 at Purdue. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC. SU then plays at Buffalo on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. The Orange kicks off the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, September 18 against Cincinnati at 12:00 p.m. SU will also host Rutgers (Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.), Florida State (Oct. 9), Connecticut (Oct. 30) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 6).

Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet www.dometix.com. For additional ticket information, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX.

Syracuse University Athletics

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