Crouch Named Walter Camp Player of the Year

NEW HAVEN, CT - Nebraska senior quarterback Eric Crouch, the triple threat signalcaller who possesses an uncanny ability to score from anywhere on the field for the 11-1 Huskers, has captured the 2001 Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Foundation President Bernard Pellegrino made the announcement today (12/6/2001) live during ESPN's 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter.

The Walter Camp Player of the Year award recipient is strongly viewed in the college football world as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy which will be presented on Saturday in New York City.

Walter Camp Player of the Year 2001-Eric Crouch, University of Nebraska 2000-Josh Heupel, University of Oklahoma 1999-Ron Dayne, University of Wisconsin 1998-Ricky Williams, University of Texas 1997-Charles Woodson, University of Michigan 1996-Danny Wuerffel, University of Florida 1995-Eddie George, The Ohio State University 1994-Rashaan Salaam, University of Colorado 1993-Charlie Ward, Florida State University 1992-Gino Torretta, University of Miami 1991-Desmond Howard, University of Michigan 1990-Raghib Ismail, University of Notre Dame 1989-Anthony Thompson, Indiana University 1988-Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State University 1987-Tim Brown, University of Notre Dame 1986-Vinny Testaverde, University of Miami 1985-Bo Jackson, Auburn University 1984-Doug Flutie, Boston College 1983-Mike Rozier, University of Nebraska 1982-Herschel Walker, University of Georgia 1981-Marcus Allen, University of Southern California 1980- Hugh Green, University of Pittsburgh 1979-Charles White, University of Southern California 1978-Billy Sims, University of Oklahoma 1977-Ken MacAfee, University of Notre Dame 1976- Tony Dorsett, University of Pittsburgh 1975-Archie Griffin, The Ohio State University 1974-Archie Griffin, The Ohio State University 1973-John Cappelletti, Pennsylvania State University 1972-Johnny Rodgers, University of Nebraska 1971-Pat Sullivan, Auburn University 1970-Jim Plunkett, Stanford University 1969-Steve Owens, University of Oklahoma 1968-O.J. Simpson, University of Southern California 1967-O.J. Simpson, University of Southern California

Pellegrino stated that the Foundation annually honors the name of Walter Camp by selecting the premier player in college football along with the nation's most time honored All-America team dating back to 1889. Walter Camp, recognized as "The Father of American Football," introduced many innovations that brought about the evolution of the American style of football.

"Eric has not only distinguished himself as one of the best all-time college football option quarterbacks, but also as a consummate and successful team leader in Nebraska's quest to secure a national championship," said Pellegrino. "His rushing and passing numbers along with his career won-loss record as Nebraska's starter are exemplary. He is truly a complete football player and person."

A three-year starter who owns a 35-6 career record and 16 career 100-yard rushing outputs, Crouch is one of three quarterbacks in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards in a career. This season he became the 13th quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in a single season and became the Big 12 total offense leader with 7,915 yards of total career offense.

Against Oklahoma this season, Crouch's athleticism was on display as he hauled in a 63-yard touchdown reception to seal his team's 21-10 win over the then No. 1 BCS-ranked Sooners. Crouch - the first NU quarterback in the last decade to be voted a captain by teammates - amassed a school-record 360 yards of total offense in the Husker's lone loss this season at Colorado. Besides running for 18 touchdowns in 2001, Crouch has also thrown for seven touchdowns and completed nearly 56 percent of his passes.

Crouch has also been a valuable asset off the gridiron. He is a frequent visitor at the hospital where his mother works. The last two summers he has performed in a musical to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association and for Prevent Blindness.

Finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award also included Florida quarterback Rex Grossman, Oklahoma safety Roy Williams and Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey. Crouch was selected in voting by Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors. Pellegrino reported a nearly 80 percent participation in this year's balloting.

Pellegrino will also present the Foundation's All-America team during ESPN's national college football awards program tonight at 9 p.m.

The Walter Camp award recipients and members of the 2001 Walter Camp All-America team will be honored at the organization's national awards banquet on February 9, 2002 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation - a New Haven based all-volunteer group - was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.