Aug. 10, 2010
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A day after being named to the Bednarik Award Watch List, UCF defensive lineman and preseason All-American Bruce Miller (Canton, Ga.) on Tuesday afternoon was named to the national Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award.
Now in its ninth year, the honor is named for college football's first-ever three-time first-team All-American who went on to win four Super Bowls and play in eight Pro Bowls in a Hall of Fame NFL career. The 2009 award went to Jerry Hughes of TCU.
The 2009 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and the 2010 C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Miller had previously been named to the national Watch Lists for the Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy in addition to the Bednarik and now the Hendricks.
The nation's leader in both career sacks (27) and career tackles for loss (44), Miller has all ready been named to several preseason All-America teams. In fact, Miller's 27 career sacks tie Florida's Alonzo Johnson for the ninth-most ever by a FBS player in the college football-rich state of Florida, a list that includes six first round NFL Draft picks. Lindy's preseason annual listed him as Conference USA's top NFL prospect, ahead of even Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum of Houston.
Miller made 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last year as a junior. He ranked fifth in the nation in sacks in 2009. 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.
Returning 17 starters from that team, UCF is a popular pick to win the C-USA East Division in 2010. The Sporting News is one of several publications which have made that choice, in the process ranking UCF No. 47 in the nation heading into the season. Miller spearheads a defense that returns most of its core after leading C-USA in total and rushing defense last fall in addition to sacks and TFLs.
To UKNIGHT behind your team and receive your free Knights Rewards Card's valuable discounts, reserve your 2010 football season tickets today. Call the UCF Athletic Ticket office at (407) 823-1000 or log onto UCFAthletics.com.