Honors Continue for Husker Seniors

Lincoln?Nebraska senior football players Kyle Larson and Demorrio Williams have continued to add to an impressive resume of accomplishments in recent days. Larson, a native of Funk, Neb., was named as the first-team All-America punter by the American Football Coaches Association and was one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation’s top punter. Williams was a Butkus semifinalist and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection.

Larson a Finalist for Bobby Bowden Award
Larson was one of three finalists for the inaugural Bobby Bowden Award, won by Northwestern’s Jason Wright. The award was initiated by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization and named after Bowden, the winningest coach in Division I-A history. The award was presented at an FCA Breakfast on Jan. 3 in conjunction with the Nokia Sugar Bowl. Larson was one of two native Nebraskans among the three finalists joining Wheaton College offensive lineman James Hoxworth, a native of Bridgeport, Neb.

The Bobby Bowden Award highlights the player who best epitomizes the term student-athlete. Those considered displayed character, classroom excellence, athletic achievement and community involvement.

Williams Named to ESPN.com All-Bowl Team
Williams capped an impressive senior season with an outstanding effort in Nebraska’s 17-3 victory over Michigan State in the MasterCard Alamo Bowl. Williams made six tackles, including five solo stops, had a pair of sacks for 12 yards and three tackles for loss. His performance earned him a spot on ESPN.com’s All-Bowl team.

Williams was one of five Huskers named as honorable-mention all-bowl performers by collegefootballnews.com. Also joining Williams on the squad were defensive end Trevor Johnson, who had two sacks, free safety Josh Bullocks, punter Kyle Larson and I-back Cory Ross, who rushed a school-record 37 times in the game.

Larson, Williams to Represent Nebraska in Senior Bowl
Larson and Williams will both showcase their abilities in the Senior Bowl, the most prestigious college all-star game, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Larson finished the season ranked seventh nationally in punting with a 45.1-yard average, including 22 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Williams set Nebraska linebacker records for sacks (11) and tackles for loss (21) and totaled 128 tackles this season, the fifth-most in school history.

Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis and his staff will guide the North team, while San Diego Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer and his staff will lead the South team. The game is set to kick off at 4 p.m. CST and will be televised on ESPN.

Five Seniors Receive Team Awards at Outland Trophy Banquet
Williams and Larson are among five Nebraska seniors who received awards at tonight’s First Data Corporation Outland Trophy Award Dinner. Williams was presented with the Guy Chamberlin Trophy, which is presented to the Husker senior who has shown by play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football squad that he has the qualities and dedication of former Husker All-American Guy Chamerlin.

Larson shared the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award with senior defensive end Trevor Johnson, a native of Lincoln. The Native Son Award is presented annually to the senior player(s) who best exemplifies the following qualities: good work ethic, competitiveness, leadership, forthrightness, sense of humor, pride, loyalty and love of Nebraska.

Senior quarterback Jammal Lord and senior defensive tackle Jason Lohr shared the Tom Novak Award. The trophy is presented to the Husker senior who "best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds in the manner of Nebraska All-America center Tom Novak."