DALLAS (FWAA) – Amik Robertson picked off three
passes and continued a stat-packed season in the Louisiana Tech
secondary, leading the Bulldogs to a 45-30 win over Southern Miss.
The nation’s leader in passes defended became just the third player
in school history to have three interceptions in one game, earning
him the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the
Week honor for games in the weekend of Oct. 19, as selected
by the Football Writers Association of America.
The
junior cornerback from Thibodaux, La., complemented one of the best
individual defensive performances in school history by adding two
pass breakups and three tackles. Robertson’s three interceptions
came off Southern Miss quarterback Jack Abraham, Conference USA’s
passing leader, and marked the first time since 2017 and only the
12th time in C-USA history for a player to have three in a single
game. His five interceptions this season are tied for second in
the nation and he is the FBS leader in total passes defended this
season with 16.
For his career, Robertson has secured 14 interceptions, good
for fifth in the Louisiana Tech career record book and the most
among FBS active players. The Bulldogs' defense held Southern
Miss to just three points in the second half, allowing the C-USA
West Division leaders to rally back from an early 14-point deficit.
Each Tuesday during the regular season, the FWAA has selected
a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001.
Robertson will be added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists
for the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Wed., Nov. 20. The winner
will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2019
FWAA All-America Team.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's
entire membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually
the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The committee members then
select the winner as the best defensive player in college football.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, will be held on Mon.,
Dec. 9 in Charlotte. In addition to the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy
winner's announcement, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient
of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since
1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary
two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated
college football then became a star for professional football's
Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter
member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key
executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas
that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson
at tiger@fwaa.com.
About the Charlotte Touchdown Club The Charlotte
Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 for
the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional
football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and
services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship,
scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and
coaches. Since 1991, the club has raised more than $2 million to
benefit area high school and collegiate athletics. For more information,
contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.com). The
official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is touchdownclub.com.
2019 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Aug. 31: Alijah Halliburton, Wyoming
• Weekend of Sept. 7: Evan Weaver, Cal
• Weekend of Sept. 14: David Reese II, Florida
• Weekend of Sept. 21: Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State
• Weekend of Sept. 28: Benny Walls, Temple
• Weekend of Oct. 5: Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
• Weekend of Oct. 12: Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
• Weekend of Oct. 19: Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
• Weekend of Oct. 26: Chase Young, Ohio State
• Weekend of Nov. 2: Dele Harding, Illinois
• Weekend of Nov. 9: Terrel Bernard, Baylor
Related link:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)
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