DALLAS (FWAA) – Miami junior safety Maurice Sikes is the season's first recipient of the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week Award for his performance in the Hurricanes' decisive 41-16 victory over Florida this past Saturday in Gainesville.

Maurice Sikes

Sikes recorded the game's key defensive play when he intercepted a Rex Grossman pass at the 3-yard line with Miami ahead, 27-16, in the third quarter. He returned the pickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. It tied for the fourth-longest interception return in Big East Conference history and fifth-best in Hurricane history. Sikes also had a second interception in the fourth quarter and added four tackles and two pass break-ups.

A three-person panel from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selects the winner of the weekly award.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club pick a National Defensive Player of the Week each Monday. Sikes will be added to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which will be presented on Dec. 9 in Charlotte, N.C., by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.