Oct. 23, 2005
New Haven, Conn. -
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced its Division 1-A National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending October 22.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brad Smith, MISSOURI
Senior, Quarterback, Youngstown, Ohio/Chaney
Senior quarterback Brad Smith set a school record with 480 total yards as the Tigers defeated Nebraska, 41-24. Only the sixth player in NCAA history (and first since 2000) to pass for 200 yards and rush for 200 in the same game, Smith passed for 234 yards (21-of-36, 1 touchdown) and rushed for 246 (on 28 carries) and scored three touchdowns (4, 79 and 45 yards). In fact, Nebraska had entered the game as the nation's top-rated defense against the run and hadn't allowed 100 total yards rushing in their previous three games. With the win, Missouri improved to 5-2, 3-1 in the Big 12.
Additionally, Mizzou fans can vote for Smith for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the week. Point your web browser to the following link and vote for Smith. The school of the winner will receive $5,000 to go to the school's general scholarship fund.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DeMECO RYANS, ALABAMA
Senior, Linebacker, Bessemer, AL/Jess Lanier
Senior linebacker DeMeco Ryans had a big day to lead fifth-ranked Alabama to their seventh straight victory, a 6-3 win over 17th-ranked Tennessee. Ryan totaled a team-high 11 tackles (6 solo), including 1.5 for losses, and recorded one interception (on the game's final play) and one fumble recovery to lead the Crimson Tide (7-0, 5-0 in the SEC) to their best start since 1996.
Walter Camp, "The Father of American football," first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp - a former Yale University athlete and football coach - is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. 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. For more information on the Walter Camp Football Foundation, go to www.waltercamp.org.