University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Boley Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
7/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Boley Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
HATTIESBURG, Miss? Southern Miss All-American linebacker Michael Boley was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award ?Watch List? today by the Maxwell Football Club, adding to his long list of 2004 preseason accolades. Boley was lone representative from Conference
The Bednarik Award, which was started in 1993, is given annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year, as voted on by NCAA Head College Football Coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club, along with sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.
Boley, a two-time Conference USA first-team selection, finished with 150 tackles last season, including 97 solo stops, 11 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and five pass breakups. He was ranked No. 13 in the nation in total tackles, No. 10 in solo tackles, tied for No. 16 in sacks and No. 7 in tackles for loss.
The award is named after Chuck Bednarik, a member of the College and NFL Hall of Fame. Bednarik was a three-year All-American at the
Bednarik moved into the professional ranks, playing his entire career 14-year career for the Philadelphia Eagles, seeing action at linebacker and center. He missed just three games out of 253, playing in 169 out of 173 games. Two of his missed games came during his rookie season in 1949.
Bednarik was elected to the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame in 1962; elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967; elected to College Football Hall of Fame in 1969; elected to the All-Time 50 Year NFL Team in 1970 and was selected by the NFL to the 75th Anniversary Two-Way Team.
Boley already has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Award ?Watch List? given by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the best defensive player in the nation. He also has been named to a list of preseason All-American teams by various publications and web sites.
The Golden Eagles report to campus on Aug. 8, begin practice on Aug. 9 and then open the season at
