Dec. 16, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. - UCF defensive line coach Jim Panagos was named the Defensive Line Coach of the Year on Wednesday by FootballScoop.com. He beat out Dan McCarney of Florida and Rich Brooks and Chris Rumph of Clemson for the honor.
UCF is 8-4 and will face Rutgers on Saturday in the St. Petersburg Bowl Presented by Beef `O'Brady's and the stellar play of the team's defense, and its defensive line in particular, is a large reason why. UCF leads Conference USA in rushing, total and scoring defense in addition to sacks and tackles for loss.
"This isn't about me," Panagos said. "It's a team award. It's about all of our defensive coaches. If our secondary doesn't cover or if our linebackers don't support like they do then we wouldn't have some of these great numbers. I especially have to thank George O'Leary for giving me the opportunity and for all that he has taught me about defensive line which he did such a great job coaching himself as a young assistant."
UCF's 82.5 yards per game of rushing defense ranks fourth in the nation behind only Texas, Alabama and TCU. The Knights are also fifth nationally in sacks and 11th in TFLs.
Bruce Miller earned C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors this season as a defensive end who also has the brawn to line up at tackle when UCF switches to its nickel package. Jarvis Geathers picked up first team all-conference honors while Torrell Troup made the second team.
Miller led C-USA with 12 sacks and 16.5 TFLs on the year. He ranks fifth nationally in sacks and 18th in TFLs. He is also 10th nationally with his 26 career sacks and, as the only underclassman on the list, will move up to the number one position heading into the 2010 season.
Geathers was second only to Miller in the league this year with his 13.5 TFLs and 11 sacks. He is tied for ninth nationally in sacks with a group that includes Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska. A double-team eating defensive tackle, Troup clogged the middle like few in the nation this year and is considered a solid pro prospect. He accounted for 32 stops on the year with five TFLs, a pair of sacks, four pass breakups and three forced hurries.
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