Darren McFadden Named a Candidate for Cingular All-America Player of the Week
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden is one of four candidates for the Cingular All-America Player of the Week it was announced on Sunday. McFadden joins Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito and Texas Tech wide receiver Joel Filani as players selected by a panel of ESPN college football analysts as this week’s top candidates based on their outstanding performances last weekend.
Fans can determine the winner by text messaging “VOTE” to “87654” on their wireless phone and casting their votes for the nominees.
McFadden rushed for a career-high 219 yards and two touchdowns in Arkansas’ 26-20 win over South Carolina. McFadden, who averaged nearly nine yards per carry, has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season.
Brennan threw for 413 yards and six touchdowns in Hawaii’s 63-10 win over Utah State. Brennan, who established a new school record with 39 touchdowns this season, has passed for 3,347 yards in nine games.
Cupito passed for 378 yards and four scores as Minnesota defeated Indiana, 63-26. Cupito, who completed 22 of 33 passes, helped the Golden Gophers score their most points in a Big Ten game in 90 years.
Filani caught eight passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to a 55-21 win over Baylor. Filani, who ranks in the top 10 nationally in receiving, recorded his third career three touchdown game.
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced Nov. 9 during ESPN’s Thursday night college football game between Rutgers and Louisville. Fans can vote as many times as they like, with each vote counting as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2007 BCS National Championship game. The Cingular All-America Player of the Week program will continue throughout the season, with the nominees being revealed each Sunday on the 9 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter and on the Web at www.espnallamerica.com.
Cingular customers can visit Cingular’s NCAA® Football Portal on their wireless handset to view video highlights of each week’s candidates, retrieve photos, check scoreboards, track their favorite teams and download school ringtones.
Rutgers running back Ray Rice, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham, Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge,
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and BYU quarterback John Beck have won the Cingular All-America Player of the Week during the 2006 college football season.
In December, four finalists for the Cingular All-America Player of the Year award will be announced during a one-hour special on ABC Sports. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the Cingular All-America Player of the Year up until the Bowl Championship Series. The selection process will culminate during the BCS National Championship game on FOX when the Cingular All-America Player of the Year will be presented.
Last year, University of Texas quarterback Vince Young was crowned as the Cingular All-America Player of the Year, beating out USC teammates Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and University of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. He was the second Longhorn to claim the award, after running back Cedric Benson won the inaugural honor in 2004.
