Category Archives: News

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings, Week 10

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LSU nudges Alabama for top spot in poll

The week before the biggest game of the 2019 season, LSU has moved past Alabama in the Super 16 Rankings. The Tigers will be No. 1 in their showdown on Saturday with No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa after picking up four more first-place votes than a week ago. That’s despite both teams being idle.

Only Clemson, among the Top 5 teams played over the weekend. And Ohio State, Clemson and Penn State remained in slots 3 through 5. Georgia defeated Florida in Jacksonville, knocking the Gators back to No. 10 and the Bulldogs taking the No. 6 spot as the highest ranked one-loss team.

SMU fell at Memphis and dropped out of the poll. Wisconsin re-entered at No. 16.

The SEC and Big Ten led all conferences with five teams each. The Big 12 and Pac-12 had two each. The ACC and Independents one each.

GAMES THIS WEEK:
No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama;
Maryland at No. 3 Ohio State;
No. 4 Clemson at North Carolina State;
No. 5  Penn State at No. 13 Minnesota;
Missouri at No. 6 Georgia;
No. 7 Oregon is idle;
Iowa State at No. 8 Oklahoma;
No. 9 Utah is idle;
Vanderbilt at No. 10 Florida;
No. 11 Baylor at TCU;
No. 12 Auburn is idle;
No. 14 Michigan is idle;
No. 15 Notre Dame at Duke;
Iowa at No. 16 Wisconsin.

Week 10: games played through Nov. 2, 2019 

TEAM POINTS FIRST-PLACE VOTES LAST WEEK’S RANK
1. LSU (8-0) 689 17 2
2. Alabama (8-0) 682 17 1
3. Ohio State (8-0) 676 9 3
4. Clemson (9-0) 616 3 4
5. Penn State (8-0) 551 5
6. Georgia (7-1) 484 7
7. Oregon (8-1) 417 8
8. Oklahoma (7-1) 400 9
9. Utah (8-1) 360 10
10. Florida (7-2) 279 6
11. Baylor (8-0) 264 12
12. Auburn (7-2) 250 11
13. Minnesota (8-0) 211 13
14. Michigan (7-2) 149 14
15. Notre Dame (6-2) 69 16
16. Wisconsin (6-2) 46 N/A

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Cincinnati (32), Memphis (23), Kansas State (16), Wake Forest (14), Boise State (9), Iowa (7), Texas (6), Texas A&M (4), SMU (2).

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Monday of the 2019 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 8. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings.

ABOUT THE FWAA: The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

 

Digital Postcard No. 9: The FWAA’s 1983 All-America Team

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(Ed. Note: This is the ninth in the series of digital postcards commemorating 75 years of the FWAA All-America Team.  The first FWAA All-America Team was published in 1944 during World War II and is the second longest continuously published team in major-college football.)

In 1983…. A record 125 million watched the final episode of M*A*S*H*…Motown celebrated its 25-year anniversary…First mobile phones were released by Motorola…A Ford Mustang cost $6,572.00….U.S. Unemployment rose to 12 million, highest since 1941.

The FWAA All-America Team featured three offensive players from Nebraska: running back Mike Rozier, wingback Irving Fryar and offensive lineman Dean Steinkuhler.  It marked the third straight season, a Nebraska player captured the Outland Trophy after Dave Rimington’s back-to-back in 1981 and 1982.  Auburn’s Bo Jackson, who later would win the Heisman in 1985 and become a professional baseball-football star after college, was also on the team as a sophomore.

Bo Jackson video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-mVW-z2jA

There was plenty of firepower on defense on this FWAA team as well: Tennessee’s Reggie White, Clemson’s William Perry (The Refrigerator) and Cal’s Ron Rivera. Miami’s Howard Schnellenberger claimed the FWAA’s Coach of the Year Award.

COTTON BOWL NUGGET

Georgia defeated previously unbeaten Texas, 10-9, in a Classic at Fair Park.  A fumbled punt by Texas in the fourth quarter led to Georgia’s winning points on the ensuing drive.  But Miami would be the consensus national champion after besting top-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl when the Cornhuskers’ last-gasp rally fell short on a missed two-point conversion.

Orange Bowl ending:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoNs0mdKAO8

Your 1983 FWAA Selectors

  • Arnie Burdick, Syracuse Herald-Journal
  • Wilt Browning, Greensboro Daily News
  • Al Ludwick, Augusta Chronicle-Herald
  • Ish Haley, Dallas Times-Herald
  • Steve Richardson, Kansas City Star-Times
  • Pat Harmon, Cincinnati Post
  • Dick Rosetta, Salt Lake City Tribune
  • Bob Hurt, Arizona Republic
  • Bob Hentzen, Topeka Capital-Journal

 

 

 

 

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings, Week 9

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Alabama still tops poll; OU drops to No. 9

Alabama remained No. 1 with the next three teams holding the same order as last week. Oklahoma’s upset loss at Kansas State dropped the Sooners four spots from No. 5 to No. 9.

Ohio State’s win against Wisconsin kicked the Badgers out of the poll, and Texas fell from the rankings after losing to TCU. They were replaced by Michigan and unbeaten SMU who joined the poll for the first time in program history.

Alabama (19), LSU (13), Ohio State (11), Clemson (3) received the first-place votes from the 46 selectors.

The SEC led all leagues with five teams, the Big Ten had four, Big 12 two, and the Pac-12 two. The ACC, American, and Independents each had one.

GAMES THIS WEEK:
No. 1 Alabama is idle
No. 2 LSU is idle
No. 3 Ohio State is idle
Wofford at No. 4 Clemson
No. 5 Penn State is idle
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 7 Georgia (at Jacksonville)
No. 8 Oregon at USC
No. 9 Oklahoma is idle
No. 10 Utah at Washington
Mississippi at No. 11 Auburn
West Virginia at No. 12 Baylor
No. 13 Minnesota is idle
No. 14 Michigan at Maryland
No. 14 SMU at Memphis
Virginia Tech at No. 16 Notre Dame

Week 9: games played through OCTOBER 26, 2019

TEAM POINTS FIRST-PLACE VOTES LAST WEEK’S RANK
1. Alabama (8-0) 686 19 1
2. LSU (8-0) 681 13 2
3. Ohio State (8-0) 678 11 3
4. Clemson (8-0) 619 3 4
5. Penn State (8-0) 550 6
6. Florida (7-1) 476 7
7. Georgia (6-1) 427 9
8. Oregon (7-1) 381 11
9. Oklahoma (7-1) 355 5
10. Utah (7-1) 321 13
11. Auburn (6-2) 249 10
12. Baylor (7-0) 234 14
13. Minnesota (8-0) 191 16
T- 14. Michigan (6-2) 127 N/A
T- 14. SMU (8-0) 127 N/A
16. Notre Dame (5-2) 53 8

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Wisconsin (46), Cincinnati (20), Appalachian State (17), Iowa (9), Texas A&M (7), Washington State (1), Boise State (1).

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Monday of the 2019 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 8. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings.

ABOUT THE FWAA: The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

 

Digital Postcard No. 8: The FWAA’s 1982 All-America Team

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Ed. Note: This is the eighth in the series of digital postcards commemorating 75 years of the FWAA All-America Team.  The first FWAA All-America Team was published in 1944 during World War II and is the second longest continuously published team in major-college football.) 

In 1982….Chariots of Fire won Best Picture…The first CD (Compact Disc) was produced in Germany…Disney World opened in Orlando…Michael Jackson released the Thriller album…U.S. Postage Stamps cost 20 cents each…Country Western singing star LeAnn Rimes was born.

Nebraska center Dave Rimington became the first person to win the Outland Trophy for a second straight year and 37 years later is still the only one to do so.  He anchored an FWAA All-America Team line that featured a dream backfield of Eric Dickerson (SMU), Mike Rozier (Nebraska) and Herschel Walker (Georgia).  Toss in Stanford’s John Elway at quarterback and wide receiver Anthony Carter (wide receiver) and BYU’s Gordon Hudson (tight end), and it would have been quite a formidable offensive team if it took the field.  A total of 11 future College Football Hall of Famers were on this FWAA team, including six on the defensive side of the ball with William Fuller (North Carolina) and Wilbur Marshall (Florida) as notables. Joe Paterno of Penn State was the FWAA Coach of the Year for the second time in five years.

Herschel Walker Clip:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvf6Bpq7OH4

COTTON BOWL NUGGET

SMU defeated Pittsburgh, 7-3, in the Jan. 1, 1983 bowl. SMU’s FWAA All-America Eric Dickerson rushed for 124 yards as the Mustangs completed their first undefeated season since 1947.  SMU scored in the fourth quarter for the victory. But Penn State swept the major polls as national champion.

SMU’s Cotton Bowl victory:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rVOu0zwLDc

Your 1982 FWAA Selectors

  • Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Press
  • Dan Foster, Greenville News
  • Bill Lumpkin, Birmingham Post-Herald
  • Jack Gallagher, Houston Post
  • Bob Hentzen, Topeka Capital-Journal
  • John Bansch, Indianapolis Star
  • Marion Dunn, Provo Daily Herald
  • Georg   N. Meyers, Seattle Times
  • Jack Hairston, Gainesville Sun

 

 

 

 

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings, Week 8

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Top five unchanged; Wisconsin falls to No. 12

Alabama remained No. 1 with the next four teams holding the same order as last week. But Wisconsin’s upset loss at Illinois dropped the Badgers six spots from No. 6 to No. 12. Oklahoma and Penn State kept winning, completing the six unbeaten teams at the top of the poll.

The Nittany Lions’ win came against Michigan, kicking the Wolverines out of the poll, and Boise State fell from the rankings after losing to BYU. They were replaced by unbeatens Baylor and Minnesota who joined the poll for the first time this season.

Alabama (24), LSU (11), Ohio State (7), Clemson (3) and Oklahoma (1) received the first-place votes from the 46 selectors.

The SEC led all leagues with five teams, the Big Ten had four, Big 12 three, and the Pac-12 two. The ACC and Independents each had one.

GAMES THIS WEEK:
Arkansas at No. 1 Alabama;
No. 10 Auburn at No. 2 LSU;
No. 12 Wisconsin at No.3 Ohio State;
Boston College at No. 4 Clemson;
No. 5 Oklahoma at Kansas State;
No. 6 Penn State at Michigan State;
No.7 Florida is idle;
No. 8 Notre Dame at Michigan;
No. 9 Georgia is idle;
Washington State at No. 11 Oregon;
California at No. 13 Utah;
No. 14 Baylor is idle;
No. 15 Texas at TCU;
Maryland at No. 16 Minnesota.

Week 8: games played through October 19, 2019

TEAM POINTS FIRST-PLACE VOTES LAST WEEK’S RANK
1. Alabama (7-0) 687 24 1
2. LSU (7-0) 673 11 2
3. Ohio State (7-0) 649 7 3
4. Clemson (7-0) 613 3 4
5. Oklahoma (7-0) 592 1 5
6. Penn State (7-0) 487 7
7. Florida (7-1) 406 8
8. Notre Dame (5-1) 375 9
9. Georgia (6-1) 364 10
10. Auburn (6-1) 359 11
11. Oregon (6-1) 311 12
12. Wisconsin (6-1) 185 6
13. Utah (6-1) 181 15
14. Baylor (7-0) 127 N/A
15. Texas (5-2) 84 14
16. Minnesota (7-0) 62 N/A

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: SMU (47), Michigan (18), Boise State (8), Cincinnati (8), Appalachian State (8), Arizona State (6), Texas A&M (5), Iowa State (1).

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Monday of the 2019 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 8. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings.

ABOUT THE FWAA: The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

 

Digital Postcard No. 7: The FWAA’s 1976 All-America Team

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(Ed. Note: This is the seventh in the series of digital postcards commemorating 75 years of the FWAA All-America Team.  The first FWAA All-America Team was published in 1944 during World War II and is the second longest continuously published team in major-college football.) 

In 1976, after 45 years of coaching, Paul Brown announced his retirement from the NFL…Ted Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves for a reported $12 million. … C.W. McCall’s song “Convoy” hit No. 1 on the country music charts. … Jack Nicholson won a Golden Globe Award for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” … TV comedy “Laverne and Shirley” premiered. … Jockey Bill Shoemaker won his 7,000th race. … Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computers in the garage of Jobs’ parents. … The movie “All the President’s Men” was released. … Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final homer off Dick Drago of the Angels. … Outbreak of “Legionnaire’s Disease” kills 29 in Philadelphia. … Chicago White Sox suited up in shorts.

Heisman Trophy-winning running back Tony Dorsett led Pittsburgh to the national championship. … Quarterback Matt Cavanaugh and a stubborn Pitt defense dominated fifth-ranked Georgia, 27-3, in the Sugar Bowl to stake the claim to the FWAA’s Grantland Rice Trophy (national title). … USC landed three players on the FWAA All-American team – running back Ricky Bell, defensive lineman Gary Jeter and defensive back Dennis Thurman. … Notre Dame defensive lineman Ross Browner won the Outland Trophy. … Prominent names on the All-American team included quarterback Gifford Nielson (BYU), tight end Ken MacAfee (Notre Dame), kicker Tony Franklin (Texas A&M) and punter Russell Erxleben (Texas).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL6d6zxdQxg – Dorsett

Go to http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf to see the entire list.

COTTON BOWL NUGGET

In its first season in the Southwest Conference, Houston was able to grab a share of the league title, play in a major bowl game and beat an undefeated team (Maryland) from the Atlantic Coast Conference, 30-21. Running back Alois Blackwell ran for 149 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns to lead the Cougars. Houston, under coach Bill Yeoman, had a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes and never let the Terrapins get within serious striking distance.

1976 FWAA Selectors

  • Cooper Rollow, Chicago Tribune
  • Norman Miller, New York Daily News
  • Charles Karmosky. Newport News Daily Press
  • John Mooney, Salt Lake Tribune
  • Bob Galt, Dallas Times Herald
  • Roy Edwards, Memphis Commercial Appeal
  • Joe McGuff, Kansas City Star
  • Earl Luebker, Tacoma News Tribune
  • Regis McAuley, Tucson Daily Citizen.

 

 

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings, Week 7

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Alabama still No. 1; LSU jumps Ohio State for No. 2

Alabama was No. 1 for a third straight week and collected 28 first-place votes. But LSU, after beating previously unbeaten Florida, moved into the second slot replacing idle Ohio State.

LSU picked up seven first-place votes to the Buckeyes’ six. Ohio State followed at No. 3 and Clemson, with five first-place votes, dropped to No. 4 despite an easy victory over Florida State. Unbeaten Oklahoma rounded out the Top 5 after knocking off Texas.

Georgia took the biggest fall from No. 5 to No. 10 after its surprising home loss to unranked South Carolina. Otherwise, there was little movement in the poll that had the same 16 teams as a week ago.

The SEC led all leagues with five teams, followed by the Big Ten with four, the Big 12 and Pac-12 with two each.  The ACC, Independents and MWC had one each.

  • GAMES THIS WEEK
    Tennessee at No. 1  Alabama;
  • No. 2 LSU at Mississippi State;
  • No. 3 Ohio State at Northwestern (Friday);
  • No.4 Clemson at Louisville;
  • West Virginia at No. 5 Oklahoma;
  • No. 6 Wisconsin at Illinois;
  • No. 16 Michigan at No. 7 Penn State;
  • No. 8 Florida at South Carolina;
  • No.9 Notre Dame is idle;
  • Kentucky at No. 10 Georgia;
  • No. 11 Auburn at Arkansas;
  • No. 12 Oregon at Washington;
  • No. 13 Boise State at BYU;
  • Kansas at No. 14 Texas;
  • Arizona State at No. 15 Utah.

Week 7: games played through October 12, 2019

TEAM POINTS FIRST-PLACE VOTES LAST WEEK’S RANK
1. Alabama (6-0) 707 28 1
2. LSU (6-0) 654 7 4
3. Ohio State (6-0) 640 6 2
4. Clemson (6-0) 625 5 3
5. Oklahoma (6-0) 584 6
6. Wisconsin (6-0) 507 7
7. Penn State (6-0) 399 10
8. Florida (6-1) 374 8
9. Notre Dame (5-1) 356 9
10. Georgia (5-1) 354 5
11. Auburn (5-1) 289 12
12. Oregon (5-1) 242 13
13. Boise State (6-0) 130 14
14. Texas (4-2) 117 11
15. Utah (5-1) 105 15
16. Michigan (5-1) 77 16

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Baylor (39), Arizona State (26), Minnesota (18), SMU (8), Texas A&M (3), Cincinnati (1), Appalachian State (1).

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Monday of the 2019 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 8. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings.

ABOUT THE FWAA: The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.

 

2019 Armed Forces Merit Award nominations announced

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Armed Forces Merit Award

FORT WORTH, Texas — A total of 33 individuals and five programs have been nominated for the 2019 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Of the 33 individuals nominated for the 2019 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA, 12 are currently playing college football this season, 14 being college coaches, five being college/university administrators and two referees.

Coordinated by the staff at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA was created in June 2012 “to honor an individual and/or a group with a military background and/or involvement that has an impact within the realm of college football.”

The recipient of the 2019 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA will be announced the week of November 3 or 10 as the selection committee of five FWAA members and two representatives from the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

Robert Morris president and Air Force veteran Dr. Chris Howard was the 2018 recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award. A 1991 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Dr. Howard was a Rhodes Scholar and received the 1990 Campbell Trophy, the highest academic award in the nation presented to a senior college football player.

Dr. Howard, a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame and a recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their collegiate athletic careers.

Nate Boyer of the University of Texas was the initial recipient in 2012. Other recipients were Brandon McCoy of the University of North Texas in 2013, Daniel Rodriguez from Clemson University in 2014, Bret Robertson of Westminster College (Fulton, Mo.) in 2015 and Steven Rhodes from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016.

Boyer (long snapper), McCoy (defensive lineman), Rodriquez (wide receiver) and Robertson (defensive back) served in the Army before playing collegiate football. After his military service with the Marine Corp, Rhodes played four seasons at Middle Tennessee, including an appearance in the 2013 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl with the Blue Raiders.

Kansas State and its football team were honored in November 2017 as the sixth recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award for the university’s partnership with the United States Army that created a bond between the school’s athletic department and the Iron Rangers at Fort Riley.

Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA — 2019 Nominations

Programs

  • Athletes of Valor, Alex Stone, Founder & CEO, Athletes of Valor (U. S. Marines)
  • Battlefields to Ballfields, Mike Pereira, CEO/President/Director
  • National Association of College Directors of Athletics, Wounded Warrior Project
  • University of South Carolina’s “Seats for Soldiers” program and other initiatives
  • University of Tennessee, POW/MIA Chair of Honor

Active Players

  • Cornelius Andrews, Union College, WR, 5-7, 148, Soph., Stockbridge, GA.
  • Dromynique Chestnut, Azusa Pacific, DB, 5-9, 180, Sen., Twentynine Palms, Calif.
  • Alexander Findura, Bloomsburg, DL, 6-6, 255, Jun., Woodland, Ga. (U. S. Marine Corps)
  • Rashaud Freeman, Webber International, LB, 6-0, 225, Soph, Jacksonville, Fla. (U. S. Army)
  • Joshua Griffin, Colorado State, RB, 5-10, 208, Jun., Houston, Tex.
  • Rasheed Holloway, Union College, WR, 6-0, 198, Soph., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Damian Jackson, Nebraska, DL, 6-2, 275, Soph. Las Vegas, Nev. (U. S. Navy)
  • Kenwon Mack, Union College, CB, 5-9, 165, Frosh, Detroit, Mich.
  • Ty Morrow, Texas Tech, OL, 6-4, 275, Sen., Canadian, Tex. (U. S. Navy)
  • Collin O’Donnell, Bluefield College, DL, 6-0, 250, Frosh, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
  • Josh Schenck, Oklahoma, LB, 5-11, 210, Jun.., Knightdale, N.C. (ROTC Cadet)
  • Casey Stewart, Shenandoah, WR, 6-4, 200, Sen., Front Royal, Va. (National Guard)

Football Staff

  • Troy Calhoun, Head Coach, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Jake Campbell, Assistant Backfield, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Lt. Col. Robert Green, Defensive Assistant, United States Naval Academy (U. S. Marine Corps)
  • Brian Knorr, Assistant Head Coach/Co-Def. Coordinator/Inside Linebackers, U. S. Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Steed Lobotzke, Offensive Line, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Ben Miller, Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Capt. Ross Pospisil, Director of Player Development, United States Naval Academy (U. S. Marines Corps)
    John Rudzinski, Defensive Coordinator, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Trent Steelman, Quarterbacks/B-Backs Coach, Jacksonville, University (U. S. Army)
  • Mike Thiessen, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)
  • Mike Viti, Assistant Football Coach/Fullback, United States Military Academy (U. S. Army)
  • Charlton Warren, Cornerbacks, Georgia (U. S. Air Force)
  • Mick Yokitis, Wide Receivers, United States Naval Academy (U. S. Navy)
  • Jake Zweig, Director of Man Development, Illinois, (U. S. Navy) Football Support Staff
  • Jordan Simmons, Strength & Conditioning, Nevada (U. S. Army)
  • Rusty Whitt, Strength & Conditioning, United States Military Academy (U. S. Army) Staffing
  • Jim Knowlton, Director of Athletics, University of California (U. S. Army)
  • LTC John Nawoichyk, Assistant AD/Military Operations, United States Military Academy (U. S. Army)
  • Steve Senn, Director of Recruiting and Player Personnel, United States Air Force Academy (U. S. Air Force)

Referees

  • Raymond Daniel, Official, Mid-American Conference (Army National Guard)
  • Steve Thielen, Official, Mid-American Conference (U. S. Army)

Digital Postcard No. 6: The FWAA’s 1973 All-America Team

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(Ed. Note: This is the sixth in the series of digital postcards commemorating 75 years of the FWAA All-America Team.  The first FWAA All-America Team was published in 1944 during World War II and is the second longest continuously published team in major-college football.) 

In 1973, Spiro Agnew resigned as Vice President under Richard Nixon…Cost of a gallon of gas was 40 cents…A bill to allow the construction of the Alaska Oil Pipeline was passed…The classic movie “American Graffiti” premiered…The court case Roe vs. Wade made abortion a U.S. constitutional right…The Sears Tower in Chicago was completed…Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in “The Battle of the Sexes”…U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam…Watergate hearings began…Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years…Elvis Presley’s “Aloha from Hawaii” TV special seen by more than 1 billion viewers.

After five lead changes, Bob Thomas kicked a 19-yard field goal in the final minutes to give Notre Dame a 24-23 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama and the national championship…The Irish were represented on the All-American team by tight end Dave Casper and defensive back Mike Townsend. The Crimson Tide had offensive lineman Buddy Brown and linebacker Woodrow Lowe…Penn State running back John Cappelletti was the Heisman Trophy winner and John Hicks of Ohio State won the Outland Trophy… Pittsburgh’s Johnny Majors was the FWAA Coach of the Year…There were plenty of impressive names on the FWAA All-American team, including quarterback Danny White (Arizona State), running backs Kermit Johnson (UCLA) and Roosevelt Leaks (Texas), receiver Lynn Swann (USC), defensive lineman Lucius Selmon (Oklahoma) and linebacker Randy Gradishar (Ohio State).

Go to http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf to see the entire list.

COTTON BOWL NUGGET

Nebraska coach Tom Osborne earned his first bowl triumph with a convincing 19-3 verdict over eighth-ranked Texas, which made its sixth consecutive Cotton Bowl appearance. The Longhorns were held to just 196 yards of total offense. After kicking a first-quarter field goal to start the scoring, Texas was blanked the rest of the way. Tony Davis rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown to lead Nebraska.

1973 FWAA Selectors

  • Steve Weller, Buffalo Evening News
  • Bob Galt, Dallas Times Herald
  • Whitey Kelley, Charlotte Observer
  • John Mooney, Salt Lake Tribune
  • Earl Luebker, Tacoma News-Tribune
  • Bob Collins, Indianapolis Star
  • Alf Van Hoose, Birmingham News
  • Del Black, Kansas City Star

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings, Week 6

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‘Bama remins No. 1; Ohio State jumps to No. 2

Idle Alabama remained No. 1 for a second straight week, but Ohio State moved into the No. 2 spot by a single point over No. 3 Clemson. The Buckeyes were impressive in dispatching Michigan State, while Clemson was idle. Alabama collected 27 first-place votes. Ohio State was next with eight first-place votes.

After losing at Florida, Auburn dropped from No. 7 to 12th. Otherwise, there wasn’t much movement among the Top 10-ranked teams. Iowa and Washington both lost and dropped out of the poll and were replaced by Utah and  Michigan.

The Southeastern Conference led all leagues with five teams, and the Big Ten had four. The Big 12 and Pac-12 had two each. The ACC, Mountain West and Independents had one each.

GAMES THIS WEEK:
No. 1 Alabama at Texas A&M
No. 2 Ohio State is idle
Florida State at No. 3 Clemson
No. 8 Florida at No. 4 LSU
South Carolina at No. 5 Georgia
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas (Dallas)
Michigan State at No. 7 Wisconsin
USC at No.9  Notre Dame
No. 10 Penn State at Iowa
No. 12  Auburn is idle
Colorado at No. 13 Oregon (Friday)
Hawaii at No. 14 Boise State
No. 15 Utah at Oregon State
No. 16 Michigan at Illinois

Week 6: games played through October 5, 2019

TEAM POINTS FIRST-PLACE VOTES LAST WEEK’S RANK
1. Alabama (5-0) 705 27 1
2. Ohio State (6-0) 626 8 3
3. Clemson (5-0) 625 5 2
4. LSU (5-0) 608 4 5
5. Georgia (5-0) 607 1 4
6. Oklahoma (5-0) 544 1 6
7. Wisconsin (5-0) 427 8
8. Florida (6-0) 423 9
9. Notre Dame (4-1) 338 10
10. Penn State (5-0) 304 12
11. Texas (4-1) 290 11
12. Auburn (5-1) 254 7
13. Oregon (4-1) 195 13
14. Boise State (5-0) 103 16
15. Utah (4-1) 63 N/A
16. Michigan (4-1) 58 N/A

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Baylor (16), Washington (10), Iowa (10), Arizona State (10), SMU (10), Minnesota (7), Wake Forest (7), Texas A&M (7), Memphis (5), Virginia (3) and Cincinnati (1).

ABOUT THE FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL: The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll was established at the conclusion of the 2013 season by long-time partners, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Voters rank the top 16 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and the results will be released every Monday of the 2019 season; the individual votes of all members will also be made public. The first regular season poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (to account for Labor Day games), and the final poll will be released Sunday, Dec. 8. The pollsters consist of FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Famers who were selected to create a balanced-geographical perspective. The poll utilizes a program designed by Sports Systems to compile the rankings.

ABOUT THE FWAA: The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information visit www.footballwriters.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork.