McFadden Once Again A Nominee for Cingular All-America Player of the Week
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second-consecutive week, Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden is a candidate for the Cingular All-America Player of the Week. McFadden, the reigning Cingular All-America Player of the Week, is one of four nominees for this week’s award after his stellar performance against No. 13 Tennessee. The sophomore from Little Rock, Ark., won the honor for his play in Arkansas’ win over South Carolina on Nov. 4 and is back among the contenders following the Hogs’ win over the Volunteers.
This week, McFadden joins Georgia safety Tra Battle, Connecticut running back Donald Brown and Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman as players selected by a panel of ESPN college football analysts as the top candidates based on their outstanding performances in games played last Saturday.
Fans can determine the winner by text messaging “VOTE” to “87654” on their wireless phone and casting their votes for the nominees.
McFadden, the reigning Cingular All America Player of the Week, was nominated for the second-consecutive week after rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns and completing a pass for another score in the Razorbacks’ 31-14 win over No. 13 Tennessee. Arkansas improved to 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the Southeastern Conference with the win.
Battle intercepted three passes and returned one for a touchdown in Georgia’s 37-15 upset of fifth-ranked Auburn. Battle, who was also credited with four tackles and a pass broken up in the game, helped the Bulldogs hold the Tigers to just 35 yards passing.
Brown rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns to lead Connecticut to a 46-45 double-overtime win over Pittsburgh. Brown, who scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in the second overtime, helped the Huskies overcome a 14-point fourth quarter deficit.
Freeman passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Kansas State upset fourth-ranked Texas, 45-42. Freeman completed 19 of 31 passes for 269 yards to help the Wildcats snap the Longhorns’ 21-game Big 12 winning streak.
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 West Virginia and Pittsburgh. 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, BYU quarterback John Beck and McFadden 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.
