Bowers Finalist for Bronko Nagurski Award |
Clemson, Sc—Clemson junior defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has been named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award. The honor is presented by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club, and goes to the top defensive player in college football.
Bowers is the first Clemson player to be named a finalist for the Nagurski Award since the late Gaines Adams in 2006. Bowers wears #93, the same number Adams wore at Clemson and the two players were close friends until Adams sudden death last February. Bowers broke Adams Clemson record for sacks by a defensive lineman last week when he had a sack at Florida State. He also tied Adams record for consecutive games with a sack. The sack at Florida State gave him eight straight games with a sack this year. All five players on the Nagurski list are from the ACC and the SEC. Bowers is joined on the list by Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, Georgia linebacker Justin Houston, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley. The winner will be announced on December 6 at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney is the keynote speaker. Bowers leads the nation in quarterback sacks with 13.5 and is second in tackles for loss with 22. Last Saturday he had a sack, two tackles for loss, a caused fumble and an interception against Florida State. He is a major reason Clemson is ninth in the nation in scoring defense as he leads the team in tackles with 60. This continues a list of recent honors for Bowers. Earlier he was named a finalist for the Lombardi Award and yesterday he was named one of 15 candidates for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award. He is also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award.
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