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
our third 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 BCS conferences,
our commitment to finding overall excellence
in college football remains at the forefront
of our efforts.
The
2009 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists are four outstanding
student-athletes who have proven themselves
through superior play at all levels of competition.
NationalChamps.net initially chose 55 for
our 2009 UNDERDOG AWARD Preseason Watch
List, which was primarily based upon those
players’ 2008 performances. The 13
Semifinalists 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 both on and
off of the field of play, which exemplify
the UNDERDOG AWARD’s integrity and
aim.
The
Finalists
In
leading his team to the Conference USA’s
West Division title and their current No.21
BCS ranking, Houston Cougar junior quarterback
Case Keenum has amassed
one of the most intimidating single-season
stat sheets ever. Keenum, a somewhat unheralded
two-star recruit out of Wylie High School
in Abilene, again leads the nation (as does
the Houston offense) in total offense, and
his 4,922 passing yards are over 1,000 more
than the next best FBS total. Note how Keenum
has more pass attempts (584) than anyone
else, but still is one of four players to
complete over 70% of his throws (70.55%)
as he also has both the nation’s fourth-lowest
interception percentage (1.03) and the fourth-best
passing efficiency rating (160.76). Keenum’s
38 passing TDs tie him with fellow 2009
UNDERDOG AWARD Finalist Kellen Moore for
the national lead in that category, but
Keenum’s four rushing TDs make him
responsible for more points per game (21.33)
than any other FBS player. With their two
huge non-conference road wins – against
the SEC’s Mississippi State and Big
12 powerhouse Oklahoma State, Kinesiology
major and 2008 CUSA All-Academic Casey Austin
Keenum leads his Cougars back into the Conference
USA Championship Game this weekend for the
first time since 2006. Eight total points
in two heartbreaking losses are all that
separate Houston from a perfect season,
and Keenum’s efforts are the main
reason he and his teammates are poised for
possibly their school’s best finish
ever.
As
team leaders go, sophomore Boise State field
general Kellen Moore’s
spotless 12-0 record proves how unstoppable
he is as a starter (24-1 over his two campaigns).
Moore also impresses through sheer numbers
– he easily leads the nation with
a 168.74 rating, is tied for the national
lead (with Keenum) for passing TDs (his
38 is now the new team single-season record)
and is responsible for the second-most points
(19.83 per game), and by leading the nation
in that all-important category of least
times sacked (four), Moore proves an intangible
few other passers can match. Last year’s
WAC Freshman of the Year and a former prep
Gatorade Player of the Year in his home
state of Washington (Prosser), the Bronco’s
southpaw hurler has his team again knocking
on the BCS door with their current No.6
ranking. At a school where ‘the bar’
of quarterback quality has been set so high,
Moore could rewrite most of State’s
records as he continues to get better each
game.
Fresno
State junior Ryan Mathews
is the nation’s top rusher (149.1
yards per game), but that’s nothing
new for the Bakersfield product (West) who
was also America’s top rusher as a
senior at the prep level. Until his recent
concussion injury (versus Nevada), Mathews
had gained at least 100 yards in every game
this season. Moreover, Mathews has proven
himself time and time again against the
Bulldog’s top foes – he had
107 yards against Wisconsin’s No.12
rushing defense, 234 yards against 12-0
Boise State’s No.16 total defense
(with TD runs of 69, 68 and 60 yards), and
145 yards against the perfect Cincinnati
Bearcat’s No.19 scoring D. Fresno
State is one of five offenses in the nation
to average 200 yards per game in both rushing
and passing, and arguably both Fresno’s
No.7 rushing offense and the entire Bulldog
attack “runs” through their
vaunted workhorse. The school’s No.
3 all-time career rusher (needs 510 yards
to break Don River’s record) has a
serious stiff-arm that hurts potential tacklers.
At 220 lbs and with breakaway, game-changing
speed, Mathews is a sure bet to suit up
on Sundays.
Our
final 2009 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalist is rewriting
the NCAA (FBS) record book more than any
other candidate. Bowling Green junior wideout
Freddie Barnes easily has
the nation’s most catches (138) as
well as the most receiving TDs (18), so
he is currently five receptions short of
passing Houston Cougar Manny Hazard’s
20-year old all-time single-season record
of 142. The Chicago Heights native also
nearly broke the single game all-time reception
record (23 by Randy Gatewood of UNLV in
1994 vs. Idaho) with his 22-catch performance
against Kent State – and if it weren’t
for a shoulder injury last year and his
initial tenure at QB as a freshman, Barnes
career total (281) would be primed to break
Taylor Stubblefield’s four-year mark
(318). Always seeing double- and triple-teams,
Barnes has won the nation’s weekly
College Football Performance Award for the
country’s best wide receiver three
times this year, but his 12.8 average on
punt returns and two rushing TDs prove that
Barnes is a weapon the Falcons will employ
as often as possible. Bowling Green’s
current streak – winning four in a
row and six of their last seven contests
– ostensibly is due to Barnes’
production.
We
will name the winner of the 2009 UNDERDOG
AWARD after Championship Weekend on Wednesday
December 9, 2009.
PRESEASON
WATCH LIST (released April 15,
2009)
SEMIFINALISTS
(released November 23, 2009)
Semifinalists: Monday, Nov. 23,
2009
Finalists: Tuesday, Dec.1, 2009
Winner: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009
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