Nov. 18, 2009
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. - UCF defensive ends Jarvis Geathers (Andrews, S.C.) and Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) were both added to the Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award on Wednesday. The Ted Hendricks Award is annually presented by the Ted Hendricks Foundation to the nation's top defensive end.
Geathers and Miller are fittingly tied for eighth in the nation and first in Conference USA in sacks with 10. They are also tied for first in C-USA with 12.5 tackles for loss on the year. They are integral parts of a UCF unit that ranks third in the nation in rushing defense, trailing only Texas and Alabama with the Knights' 81.50 yards against per game. The Knights also rank seventh in the nation in sacks and ninth in TFLs, topping C-USA in both categories.
When the Knights played host to then-No. 9 Miami on Oct. 17, both Geathers and Miller had a sack in the contest as UCF made the most sacks (six) against the Hurricanes since their 2005 season-opening Florida State game. Both players also sacked Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum in UCF's upset win over No. 13 Houston this past Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Now in its eighth season, the Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time first-team All-American. On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness are some of the criteria used to determine the Award's winner. Members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and former winners are included in the Award's voting committee. Candidates may represent any class (Freshman through Senior) as well as any four-year NCAA accredited school.
Previous recipients of the Hendricks Award include: Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), David Pollack (Georgia), Elvis Dumervil (Louisville), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan), Chris Long (Virginia) and Brian Orakpo (Texas). After his All-American playing career at Miami, Hendricks was an eight-time Pro Bowl pick in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, helping those team to a total of four Super Bowl titles (V, XI, XV and XVIII). Hendricks is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tickets for Saturday's 2 p.m. game against Tulane are still available and can be purchased in advance by calling 407-823-1000, logging onto UCFAthletics.com, or in person Saturday morning at the Bright House Networks Stadium ticket office.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.