NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.
Suh, a 6-4, 300-pound senior from Portland, Oregon intercepted a pass that led to a touchdown that put the Cornhuskers ahead in a game they eventually won, 27-12, over Missouri. Suh also forced a fumble, recorded a sack and was credited with six tackles. He now has four interceptions in his career, a school record for defensive tackles.
The Nebraska Defensive Most Valuable Player last year, Suh was on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll this past spring and is scheduled to receive his degree in construction management this December.
Nebraska will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Suh’s accomplishment.
“I saw this game in person and was I ever impressed with the quickness and athleticism of Suh,” said former Washington Coach Don James, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “It is hard to believe he is a defensive tackle with those skills and that big body. He almost had a second interception that just slipped out of his grasp – a very dominating performance.”
Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Rolando McClain of Alabama, Eric Berry of Tennessee, Brandon Spikes of Florida and Kurt Coleman of Ohio State.
2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week
Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State
Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee
Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa
Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC
Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Past winners of The Lott Trophy:
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, California
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.
Watching The Watch List
Brandon Spikes, Florida – Had two key sacks in the closing minutes of the game as Gators defeated LSU, 13-3, to remain undefeated. Spikes finished with a team high 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska – Had interception that led to go-ahead touchdown in 27-12 win over Missouri. Had six tackles, a forced fumble and the interception (the fourth of his career, most in school history for a defensive tackle).
Rolando McClain, Alabama – Had an interception, a quarterback hurry, a tackle for a loss and 7 total tackles in win over Ole Miss, 22-3.
Kurt Coleman, Ohio State – Returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown and had 14 tackles for Buckeyes in 31-13 win over Wisconsin.
Greg Jones, Michigan State – Team best 11 tackles, a sack and 2 quarterback hurries in win over Illinois, 24-14.
Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas – Led Longhorns with 11 tackles, including 2 tackles for losses, a sack and 2 passes broken up in 38-14 win over Colorado.
Sam Acho, Texas – Had 3 tackles for losses, a sack and 5 tackles in win over Colorado, 38-14.
Darrell Stuckey, Kansas – Led Jayhawks with 14 tackles (one for a loss) in 41-36 win over Iowa State.
Eric Berry, Tennessee – Returned a fumble 46 yards, broke up two passes and had five tackles in 45-19 win over Georgia.
Pat Angerer, Iowa – 12 tackles in win over Michigan, 30-28.
Brandon Graham, Michigan – 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for losses in loss to Iowa, 30-28.
INJURIES: Penn State’s Sean Lee sat out a third consecutive week with a knee injury…Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley missed the South Carolina game with an ankle injury.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.
Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Thelotttrophy.com