Jerry Hughes, gully or straight gully?

Hughes Named Nagurski Trophy Finalist

TCU defensive end is also a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award

Nov. 19, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Football Writers Association of America and Charlotte Touchdown Club have announced TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes as one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, honoring the nation's top defensive player.

It's the second straight season Hughes has been a Nagurski Trophy finalist. This year's other finalists are Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry, Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Hughes is also one of four finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award and one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. He is a semifinalist for the Lott Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award. Hughes is also one of just three defensive players to be included among 15 "Players to Watch" for the Walter Camp Football Foundation's 2009 Player of the Year award.

A senior from Sugar Land, Texas, Hughes was named to all five Midseason All-America teams (SI.com, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele's).

With 13 tackles for loss, including 10 1/2 sacks, Hughes has been instrumental in No. 4 TCU's 10-0 season. He totaled eight tackles, including 2 1/2 for loss with 1 1/2 sacks and three quarterback hurries in last week's 55-28 win over Utah. His 49 tackles place third on TCU.

Hughes was a consensus All-American last season when he led the nation with 15 sacks.

Last month, Hughes received a Local Hero Award from Bank of America for his community work. He is on pace to graduate this spring, in four years, with a degree in communications.

Hughes was ranked as the No. 1 defensive end in the nation by Lindy's and Rivals. He has also been rated by Mel Kiper Jr. as the nation's No. 2 defensive end prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Hughes and the other Nagurski Trophy finalists will travel to Charlotte for the Dec. 7 banquet and presentation of the award at the Westin Hotel.

The FWAA's National Defensive Player of the Year award is named after Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and defensive tackle from 1927-29.

TCU Named Tostitos National Team Of The Week

Horned Frogs honored for their 38-7 win at BYU

Oct. 26, 2009

DALLAS -- The board of the Football Writers Association of America has chosen sixth-ranked TCU as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week following its 38-7 win at BYU.

Andy Dalton threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns, while the Horned Frog defense recorded five sacks. TCU won its ninth straight game and has the fourth-longest current winning streak in the nation.

It's the second straight year TCU has received the honor following a win over BYU. The Horned Frogs were also selected after last season's 32-7 victory in Fort Worth. TCU was also a 2005 recipient following a 17-10 win at Oklahoma.

The FWAA has named a national team of the week since 2002. This is the sixth season the award has been sponsored by the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Gary Patterson was also named the the "Bear" Bryant Award watch list....




TCU's Gary Patterson has been named to the watch list for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, honoring the 2009 College Football Coach of the Year.

The Horned Frogs, ranked sixth, are 7-0 and one of only seven undefeated teams remaining in the nation. TCU has won nine in a row overall for the nation's fourth-longest current winning streak.

Patterson is in his ninth season as TCU's head coach. His 80-27 (.748) record ranks seventh nationally among active coaches. The Frogs have won at least 10 games in five of the last seven seasons. No other coach in TCU history has more than two 10-win campaigns.

The Bryant Award is voted on by members of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and is the only college coaching award selected after all bowl games have been played.