In
an effort to bring media attention to those players
from smaller schools that are too often overlooked
for the HEISMAN and other major awards, NationalChamps.net
presents the annual UNDERDOG AWARD to recognize
the best FBS Mid-Major player in the nation. In
evaluating the rich talent found throughout the
54 schools not aligned in automatic-bid BCS conferences,
our commitment to finding overall excellence in
college football remains at the forefront of our
efforts.
The
2008 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists are four outstanding
student-athletes who have proven themselves through
superior play at all levels of competition. NationalChamps.net
initially chose 28 for the 2008 UNDERDOG AWARD
Preseason Watch List, which was primarily based
upon those players’ 2007 performances. Our
2008 UNDERDOG AWARD In-Season Watch List, released
nearly a month ago, presented 25 players worthy
of recognition due to their excellence this season.
The 14 Semi-Finalists were revealed last week,
and we have now chosen the best of the best. These
candidates garner superlatives and statistics
that place them amongst college football’s
best at any level. We happily recognize their
achievements, which exemplify the UNDERDOG AWARD’s
integrity and aim.
The
Finalists:
Junior
Nate Davis has definitively been the
standout leader on an undefeated Ball State team
that finished out the season with big wins against
its two toughest division rivals. Davis’s
play in taking the Cardinals to their first-ever
undefeated regular season (at the FBS level) was
the catalyst around which the offense rallied.
In just three campaigns, Davis has shattered nearly
every major BSU passing mark. Currently ranked
sixth nationally for pass efficiency, Nate simultaneously
ranks fourth in yards per attempt (9.55). This
Bellaire, Ohio product initially put himself on
many radar by nearly leading Ball State to improbable
wins against two of the sports all-time greatest
programs; the Cards eventually lost in the last
seconds at both Ann Arbor (34-26 in 2006) and
Lincoln (41-40 in ’07), but Davis served
notice for what followed this year. Now, Davis
can punctuate his stellar campaign with State’s
first conference title in 12 years. This is the
field general of the best mid-major program east
of the Mississippi.
Ball
State classmate MiQuale Lewis
is the other stanchion for the Cardinals and their
unstoppable offense. If you’ve seen him
run this year, you know this junior running back
can take a hit and keep moving forward –
Lewis plays much bigger than his 5’6, 184lb.
frame would suggest. In just under two years of
actual production (22 games over three years),
Lewis broke the school record for most 100-yard
games in a year (10 so far) as well as the records
for the most rushing (20) and total TDs (21) in
a single season. He is set to surpass the Ball
State single-season rushing mark (his current
total of 1,570 yards is 48 yards shy of Marcus
Merriweather’s 2002 total, and two games
remain to be played), and MiQuale will ostensibly
pass many more Cardinal career records if he comes
back next year. A former prep track champion at
nearby Snider (Fort Wayne), Lewis’s workman-esque
approach infectiously brings grit and determination
to the whole team.
It
is hard to ignore the sheer numbers put up by
Rice hurler Chase Clement. A
true ‘iron man’ (ranked fourth all-time
in FBS for total plays), this senior is responsible
for the most points scored this year by any player
(52 total TDs – 41 passing, 11 rushing),
and Clement has Tim Tebow’s single-season
combined TD mark from last year’s HEISMAN
campaign (55 total TDs – 32 passing, 23
rushing) in sight with one game left. His 120
total career TDs ranks second all-time at this
level of competition. Chase has thrown for at
least five TDs seven times in his career and for
six three times (twice this year). Owning every
school offensive record and many other conference
marks, Clement has led his team to nine wins in
‘08, the most wins Rice has had in one campaign
since 1953. A bowl win – also not seen at
Rice since 55 years ago – would mean Clement’s
Owls would finish tied for the most wins in school
history, though, his legacy as the team’s
best player ever is secured. From Alamo Heights,
Chase Clement is truly the pride and heart of
Texas football.
With
a high profile QB and RB garnering most headlines,
the hidden gem in the BYU roster this year has
been receiver Austin Collie.
Currently leading the nation in total receiving
yards (1,419) while also ranking fourth in both
receiving TDs (15) and total catches (95), this
junior arguably sits atop the nation’s top
mid-major conference as its best player. His 10
consecutive (and counting) 100-yard games is both
a Cougar and league record. Former Cougars themselves,
Austin’s father and brother paved the way
for his success as the 2004 MWC Freshman of the
Year prior to his mission hiatus (Buenos Aires,
Argentina, 2005-06). A former Mountain West All-Academic
(2007) and former second team All-American (2004),
Collie, too, averages 30 yards per kick return
(would be ranked fifth nationally if he had enough
KRs to qualify for the NCAA rankings). We celebrate
Collie’s leadership by example, both on
the field and in the classroom.
The winner of the 2008 UNDERDOG AWARD
will be announced after Championship Weekend on
Wednesday December 10, 2008.
Semi-finalists: Monday, Nov. 24, 2008
Finalists: Tuesday, Dec.2, 2008
Winner: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008
IN-SEASON
WATCH LIST (released November 4, 2008)
SEMI-FINALISTS
(released November 24, 2008)
Winner:
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008
NationalChamps.net
2008 UNDERDOG AWARD FINALISTS |
