April 29, 2010
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A preseason All-America candidate, UCF defensive end Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) leads the nation in career sacks with 27 and career tackles for loss with 44 so, not surprisingly, he was named today to the watch list for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award.
The prize for the nation's top down lineman or linebacker is amongst college football's oldest and most prestigious awards. The 2009 recipient, Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, was taken last week with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Other prominent defensive linemen to win it in the past 15 years include Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), Julius Peppers (North Carolina) and Warren Sapp (Miami). Miller is one of just two C-USA players named to the 2010 watch list, joining Houston linebacker Marcus McGraw.
Miller was one of four players selected from the football-rich state of Florida as no team had more than one selection with UCF (Miller) matching the output of Florida (OG Mike Pouncey), Florida State (OG Rodney Hudson) and Miami (DL Allen Bailey).
Named the 2009 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Miller made 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last year as a junior. A versatile end who also moved to tackle and played a three-technique in UCF's nickel package, Miller also was credited with seven forced hurries and three pass breakups last fall, helping the Knights lead C-USA in total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, sack and tackles for loss. UCF was fourth in the nation last fall in rushing defense, topped only by BCS bowl participants Texas, Alabama and TCU.
| STATE OF FLORIDA FBS SACK RECORDS | |||||
| NO | PLAYER | SACKS | YEARS | SCHOOL | NFL DRAFT |
| 1 | Daniel Stubbs | 39.5 | 1984-87 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 2 | Reinard Wilson | 35.5 | 1993-96 | Florida St. | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 3 | Greg Mark | 34.5 | 1986-89 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 4 | Peter Boulware | 34 | 1994-96 | Florida St. | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 5 | Alex Brown | 33 | 1998-01 | Florida | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 6 | Elton Patterson | 30.5 | 1999-02 | UCF | NFL 7th Rd. Pick |
| 7 | Kenny Holmes | 30 | 1993-96 | Miami | NFL 1st Rd. Pick |
| 8 | George Selvie | 29 | 2006-09 | USF | NFL 7th Rd. pick |
| T9 | Alonzo Johnson | 27 | 1981-85 | Florida | NFL 2nd Rd. Pick |
| T9 | Bruce Miller | 27 | 2007-09 | UCF | |
He made perhaps the most pivotal play of UCF's season during an ESPN-broadcast Sunday night game against Marshall. Trailing at home to the Thundering Herd 20-14 with 2:12 to play, Miller forced Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson to fumble. Freshman All-American Josh Robinson recovered the ball for the Knights and Brett Hodges capped the ensuing drive with a game-winning touchdown pass to Rocky Ross with 23 seconds left to play. The emotional win helped spur on a 5-1 close to UCF's 2009 regular season and earn the team a spot in the St. Petersburg Bowl with an 8-4 record.
To see Miller and his UCF teammates in action six times this fall at Bright House Networks Stadium, get your season tickets today, starting at just $99. You can purchase them either over the phone at (407) 823-1000 or online at UCFAthletics.com.