Marshall's Vinny Curry Named FWAA National Defensive Player Of The Week
By BigLeadSports
Curry, a 6-3, 263-pound senior from Neptune, N.J., made nine tackles, including four tackles for losses (3.5 sacks) along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Thundering Herd’s 24-20 victory over Rice.
The sacks were all on third down, halting Rice drives. His strip of Rice running back Sam McGuffie set up the Herd offense at the Rice 23-yard line with 3:31 remaining in the game. Marshall scored the game-winning touchdown five plays later.
For the season, Curry leads the nation in tackles for loss with 17 and is second with 9.5 sacks. His contributions have helped Marshall lead the nation with 67 tackles for loss.
Among other defensive players who had outstanding games:
• DE Travis Johnson, San Jose State: Blocked two kicks during a 28-27 victory over Hawaii, both in the fourth quarter, the first a PAT that turned into two points for San Jose, then a 42-yard field goal attempt by Hawaii.
• DB Bradley Roby, Ohio State: Helped shut down Illinois in Ohio State’s first Big ten win of the season, 17-7, including an interception he returned 36 yards to the Illinois 12, which led to an OSU score on the next ensuing offensive play.
• Cory Lemonier, DE, Auburn: Six tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss (the latter two career highs) in Auburn’s 17-6 win against Florida. Auburn held Florida to 194 yards of total offense, which was the fewest by a Gator offense since 1990.
• LB Dion Bailey, USC: Had two interceptions, six solo tackles and assisted on two others during a 30-9 win over California.
• DE Gabe Knapton, Wyoming: Had ten tackles and a sack in Wyoming’s 41-14 bashing of UNLV.
Curry is now on the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 17.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 12 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.