ECU's Rimpf named Outland Trophy candidate

Watch list includes players from Cincinnati, Memphis

From C-USA Media Relations

East Carolina's Brian Rimpf is among three Conference USA offensive linemen who have been named preliminary candidates for the 2002 Outland Trophy. The award is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the top interior lineman in college football each season.

Rimpf, a junior left tackle, and Cincinnati senior right tackle Josh Gardner, both of whom have received preseason All-American recognition, are joined by Memphis senior center Jimond Pugh on the list.

Rimpf helped cleared the way last season for East Carolina’s record-setting running back Leonard Henry. The junior earned All-Conference accolades last fall after being named to the league’s All-Freshman team the previous campaign. This summer, Rimpf received All-American mention by Football News and Street and Smith’s. Rimpf started every 2001 game at left tackle and graded out at 80 percent.

Gardner is a four-year starter that was named a third team preseason All-American by Athlon’s magazine this summer. Considered a strong pass blocker, Gardner, played nearly every snap on offense during his junior season. One of two returning team captains, he has started all 35 games during his UC career.

Pugh has been the Tigers starting center each of the last two seasons after transferring from Florida A&M. He was the only Memphis player to line up for every single snap during the 2000 season and he was on the field for 684 out of 744 offensive plays last season. Pugh has started 22 consecutive games at center, since moving from guard.

The winner of the 2002 Outland Trophy will be announced Dec. 12 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla. Three finalists will be selected by the FWAA All-America Committee in late November and will appear on the show.

The winner also will receive his trophy during a banquet on Jan. 9 in Omaha, Neb. The banquet is sponsored by the Omaha Sports Committee, which additionally will honor a past Outland winner at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Omaha.

Miami's Bryant McKinnie won the 2001 Award while leading his team to the national championship. Tennessee's John Henderson, the 2000 Outland winner, was one of the three finalists for the 2001 Award, but failed to become the second person to win back-to-back Outland Trophies. Dave Rimington of Nebraska (1981 and 1982) remains the only two-time winner.

The Outland Trophy has been presented every year since 1946 and is the third oldest award in major-college football. The award is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn during the turn of the century. Dr. Outland established the award in 1946, a year before his death, with the help of the FWAA. He believed it was important for lineman to receive greater recognition. And for the last 56 years they have because of his award.

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02/23/2007 01:21 PM