Miami's Morgan and Capshaw Earn BIG EAST Awards
Nov. 13, 2000
Providence, R.I. – Miami linebacker Dan Morgan and punter Freddie Capshaw have earned BIG EAST Player of the Week honors, the league announced Monday. Virginia Tech running back Lee Suggs has been named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week while Morgan and free safety Rick Sherrod of West Virginia shared defensive honors, and Hurricane punter FREDDIE CAPSHAW captured Special Teams Player of the Week.
Morgan (Coral Springs, Fla.) wins the award for the fourth time in his career after Miami’s 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh. The senior linebackerrecorded 20 tackles, including 11 solo, as the Hurricanes held the Panthers to 266 total yards, including 77 rushing. He broke the UM career tackle record, surpassing the mark set by George Mira, Jr. (490, 1984-87). Morgan also had two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as he became the first player in school history to register 500 tackles (507) and four straight 100-tackle seasons. He needs three stops to break the BIG EAST record of 509 tackles held by Stephen Boyd of Boston College (1991-94).
Capshaw (Rock Springs, Wyo.) kept the Panthers deep in their end of the field with his punting in the Hurricane win over Pittsburgh. The sophomore averaged 50.3 yards on four kicks, with a long of 57 yards. He also had one punt inside the 20, with his third kick downed at the Panther 11-yard line. Capshaw is second in the BIG EAST in punting with 42.5 yards per game.
Suggs (Roanoke, Va.) set five BIG EAST records in the Hokies’ 44-21 victory at Central Florida. The sophomore tailback had five rushing touchdowns, setting league marks for TDs and points (30) in a game. He also established season records for rushing touchdowns (24), total touchdowns (24) and points (144). The previous season marks were all set by Boston College’s Darnell Campbell in 1993. Suggs carried 30 times for 143 yards, his fifth 100-yard game of the season. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season.
Sherrod (Charleston, W. Va.) recorded a critical interception in the Mountaineers’ 31-24 double-overtime victory at Rutgers. The junior free safety picked off a third-and-goal pass attempt with 3:43 remaining to stop a potential Scarlet Knight go-ahead score. The interception was his first of the season and was returned 17 yards. He also recorded 12 tackles (7 solo), one fumble recovery and two pass break-ups. He is second on the team with 89 tackles.
