Friday, July 08, 2011

Temple's Robinson named to Nagurski Watch List

DALLAS (7/8/11) – Temple senior defensive end Adrian Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa.) is one of 87 players named to the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club announced on Friday.

A two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and the MAC’s 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Robinson started all 12 games at right end in 2010. He had 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. Robinson had two solo tackles, a 14-yard sack, and a PAT block in the win over Bowling Green. He blocked the PAT on the Falcons’ first TD, forcing BGSU to go for two on the game’s final play en route to MAC and coaches’ specialist of the week honors.  The three-year starter is also a 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele and 2011 CDS preseason FBS Honorable Mention All-American.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy that is awarded annually to the nation’s best defensive player. Every NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision Conference and Notre Dame are represented on the list that is pretty evenly divided among linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

Players may be added or deleted from the Bronko Nagurski Watch List during the season. For the 11th
straight season, the FWAA will choose a National Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 17.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner is chosen from five finalists who are part of the FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects the 25-man team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner, the best defensive player in America.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 12 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Besides the 2011 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient of the Bronko
Nagurski Legends Award, presented by Florida East Coast Railway. Florida’s Jack Youngblood, an end from the FWAA’s 1970 All-American team, will be honored. Georgia head coach Mark Richt will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Steve Addazio , Temple returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls open the 2011 season with cross-city rival Villanova in the third annual Mayor’s Cup, sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN3.

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