Two Huskers Named to Football News Semifinalist List

Miami - A pair of Husker standouts were honored Thursday, as Football News released its list of 15 semifinalists for its National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Quarterback Eric Crouch was tabbed as an offensive semifinalist, while cornerback Keyuo Craver named one of 15 defensive semifinalists.

A finalist for the Johnny Unitas Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, Crouch has led the Huskers to a 10-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the Bowl Championship Series rankings this season. One of only three NCAA quarterbacks in college football history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards, he has completed 89-of-154 passes (57.9 percent) for 1,252 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 847 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns this season. Crouch's rushing touchdowns ranks third nationally, while he needs just 143 yards to become only the 13th Division I-A player to pass and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

A three-year starter and 2001 captain, Crouch holds NU's career record for wins with 34 and also holds school records for total offense (7,389 yards), touchdowns scored (58), total offensive touchdowns (84) and rushing yards by a quarterback (3,166). In addition, his 56 rushing touchdowns are the most by a quarterback in NCAA Division I-A history.

Crouch is the only Big 12 Player on the offensive semifinalist list and is joined by David Carr (Fresno State), Ken Dorsey (Miami), Lee Evans (Wisconsin), DeShaun Foster (UCLA), Jabar Gaffney (Florida), William Green (Boston College), Rex Grossman (Florida), Joey Harrington (Oregon), Leonard Henry (East Carolina), Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Nokoa McElrath (Washingon State), Bryant McKinnie (Miami), Bruce Perry (Maryland) and Luke Staley (BYU)

A co-captain and three-year starter, Craver has been the anchor of a Husker defense that ranks in the top-10 nationally in all four major categories, including second in pass efficiency defense (82.4) and scoring defense (10.6 ppg.) and fifth in total defense (258.8 yards per game). Opponents are completing just 43.8 percent of passes, a total that leads the nation, and have thrown six TD passes in 10 games.

On the season, Craver, who was selected as a Thorpe Award semifinalist on Monday has 54 tackles and leads NU in solo tackles (32), pass breakups (13) and interceptions (3). Against Iowa State, Craver returned an interception 57 yards for a score, one of three career touchdowns on special teams or defense. He also ranks second in school history with 41 pass breakups and is fourth among Husker defensive backs with 186 career stops.

In addition to his standout efforts on defense, Craver is also one of the Big 12's top special teams performers, averaging 11.7 yards per return to rank seventh in the conference and 29th nationally. He has also blocked three punts and a field goal during his collegiate career.

One of five Big 12 defenders on its Defensive Player of the Year list, Craver is joined by fellow conference standouts Rocky Calmus (Oklahoma), Kevin Curtis (Texas Tech), Quentin Jammer (Texas) and Roy Williams (Oklahoma). The other semifinalists include Alex Brown (Florida), Wendell Bryant (Wisconsin), Levar Fisher (North Carolina State), Larry Foote (Michigan), Dwight Freeney (Syracuse), E.J. Henderson (Maryland), Julius Peppers (North Carolina), Edward Reed (Miami), Derek Ross (Ohio State) and Robert Thomas (UCLA).

Head Coach Frank Solich has also been tabbed by Football News as one of 10 semifinalists for National Coach of the Year. In three seasons, Solich has guided Nebraska to a 41-7 record (.854 winning percentage), including a perfect 10-0 mark in 2001. The only Big 12 Coach among the semifinalist list, he is joined by John Bunting (North Carolina), Larry Coker (Miami), Gary Crowden (BYU), Ralph Friedgen (Maryland), Ken Hatfield (Rice), Paul Pasqualoni (Syracuse), Mike Price (Washington), Tommy Tuberville (Auburn) and Tyrone Willingham (Stanford).

The finalists for all three awards will be announced on Nov. 20, with the winners announced on Dec. 12.