Turner, Congdon Named FWAA Freshman All-Americans

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska true freshmen Barry Turner and Jordan Congdon have been selected as freshmen All-Americans by the Football Writers Association of America and Scripps, as announced on Wednesday.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The team is in its fifth year and consists of both true freshmen and redshirt freshmen. Nebraska was one of three schools with two or more players on the team. Arkansas had three players on the Freshman All-America squad, while FloridaState joined Nebraska with two selections.

 

The 5-11, 180-pound Congdon had a record-setting season in his first year as Nebraska’s starting place-kicker. Congdon connected on 19-of-23 field goals to set a Nebraska single-season record for field goals made, eclipsing the previous record of 18 by Kris Brown in 1997. Congdon, who also connected on 31-of-32 PAT attempts, shattered the previous freshman field goal record of 14. Congdon’s 19 field goals tied for the most among freshmen nationally. The San Diego native connected on three or more field goals three times in 2005, including hitting 4-of-4 attempts in his collegiate debut against Maine.

 

A 6-3, 245-pound defensive end, Turner excelled as a pass-rush specialist in his first season at Nebraska. Turner finished his freshman campaign with 14 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and six sacks, while adding six quarterback hurries. Turner’s six sacks were a Husker freshman record and tied for the national lead among freshmen and he helped the Huskers lead the nation with 50 sacks in 2005.

 

The FWAA/Scripps recognition adds to an impressive list of post-season honors for the freshman duo. Both Turner and Congdon were previously named freshman All-Americans by Rivals.com and ESPN.com, while Congdon earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press.

 

2005 FWAA FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM
OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Hometown
QB Drew Weatherford, Florida State 6-3 210 Land O' Lakes, Fla.
RB ? Darren McFadden, Arkansas 6-2 210 North Little Rock, Ark.
RB ? Steve Slaton, West Virginia 5-10 185 Levittown, Pa.
RB ? Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern 5-9 190 Akron, Ohio
WR ? Davone Bess, Hawaii 5-10 187 Oakland, Calif.
WR Sidney Rice, South Carolina 6-4 191 Gaffney, S.C.
OL Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech 6-6 285 Tyrone, Ga.
OL Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas 6-4 301 Little Rock, Ark.
OL Jeremy Perry, Oregon State 6-2 315 Kahuku, Hawaii
OL Cole Popovich, Fresno State 6-2 275 Oakhurst, Calif.
OL Max Unger, Oregon  6-5 305 Honaunau, Hawaii
C Robby Felix, UTEP 6-3 275 Corona, Calif.

DEFENSE
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Hometown
DL ? Steve Davis, Minnesota 6-2 230 St. Louis, Mo.
DL Mitch King, Iowa 6-3 250 Burlington, Iowa
DL Brian Orakpo, Texas 6-4 238 Houston, Texas
DL ? Barry Turner, Nebraska 6-3 245 Antioch, Tenn.
LB ? Michael Brown, Duke 5-11 225 Houston, Texas
LB ? Daniel Holtzclaw, Eastern Michigan 6-2 220 Enid, Okla.
LB ? Rey Maualuga, USC 6-5 250 Eureka, Calif.
LB Tim McCarthy, Northern Illinois 6-0 235 Neenah, Wis.
DB ? Joe Burnett, Central Florida 5-11 180 Eustis, Fla.
DB Tony Carter, Florida State 5-9 160 Jacksonville, Fla.
DB ? Courtney Greene, Rutgers 6-1 180 New Rochelle, N.Y.
DB ? Kenny Phillips, Miami 6-2 200 Miami, Fla.

SPECIALISTS
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Hometown
K ? Jordan Congdon, Nebraska 5-11 180 San Diego, Calif.
P Chris Miller, Ball State 6-2 208 Libertyville, Ill.
KR ? Felix Jones, Arkansas 6-0 195 Tulsa, Okla.

First-year Coach of the Year: Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

? Indicates true freshmen