Oct. 18, 2006

Columbia, Mo. -

University of Missouri senior defensive end Brian Smith (Denton, Texas) has played his way onto a very prestigious list, as he has been named one of 12 semi-finalists for the 2006 Rotary Lombardi Award, as announced by the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation.

 

Smith, who is Mizzou's career leader in quarterback sacks, with 31.5 entering Saturday's Homecoming game against Kansas State, ranks second in the Big 12 currently this season (and 5th nationally), with 7.5 sacks.  He tied the MU single-game sacks record earlier this season when he totaled four sacks in MU's 27-17 win at New Mexico.  He needs just three more sacks to break the Big 12 Conference career record of 34, set by Aaron Hunt of Texas Tech (1999-2002).

 

The award, named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi, is given annually to the nation's top lineman on either offense or defense.  Linebackers are also eligible for the award.  Four finalists will be announced on November 7th, with the award being presented in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 6th.  A committee of over 400 college football coaches, writers, broadcasters and previous finalists participate in a three-tiered balloting process.

 

Joining Smith as semi-finalists include DE Gaines Adams of Clemson, OT Justin Blalock of Texas, DE Mkristo Bruce of Washington State, LB Buster Davis of Florida State, DE Quentin Moses of Georgia, OT Dan Mozes of West Virginia, DT Quinn Pitock of Ohio State, LB Paul Posluszny of Penn State, OT Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, LB Patrick Willis of Mississippi and DE LaMarr Woodley of Michigan

 

For more information on the award, please visit www.rotarylombardiaward.com.