Morgan Named Football News Defensive Player of the Year
Dec. 6, 2000
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – University of Miami linebacker Dan Morgan was named Football News 2000 Defensive Player of the Year as selected by the publication’s editorial staff. Texas Christian runningback LaDainian Tomlinson was chosen Offensive Player of the Year.
Morgan a 6-3, 245-pound senior from Coral Springs, will be honored with the Award on Tuesday, March 6 at the National Athletic Awards ceremony at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI. The awards ceremony, which will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net, will be sponsored by the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler.
The BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American, Morgan was picked over four other finalists: Clemson linebacker Keith Adams, Florida State end Jamal Reynolds, Oklahoma back J.T. Thatcher and Mississippi State back Fred Smoot.
Morgan, the 2000 Bronko Nagurski Trophy recipient, has also been named a first-team All-American by the Football News, Football Writers’, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also a unanimous selection for 2000 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as making his third straight appearance on the All-BIG EAST team. Morgan is also a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik defensive awards.
Morgan established a BIG EAST career record for tackles, finishing with 532 (309 solo) during his four seasons with the Hurricanes. He led the conference with 138 stops in 2000, including 92 solo. He averaged 12.5 tackles per game and has been rated among the national leaders all season. Morgan also contributed 15 tackles for loss and five sacks. Additionally, he is the first Miami player to record 100 tackles or more in four consecutive seasons.
The 2000 BIG EAST Champion Miami Hurricanes finished the regular season with a 10-1 mark and an undefeated 7-0 record in conference play. Miami finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls for the final five weeks. The Hurricanes will play state-rival and SEC Champion Florida in the 2001 Nokia Sugar Bowl on Tuesday, January 2 at the Louisiana Superdome.
For ticket information for the 2001 Nokia Sugar Bowl, check out the University of Miami athletic website at www.hurricanesports.com or call 1-800 GO CANES.
