(Oct. 31,2011)
NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Linebacker Lavonte David has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week for the second time this season.
David, 6-1, 225, is a senior from Miami who had 13 tackles Saturday as the Cornhuskers shut down Michigan State in impressive fashion, 24-3. The Nebraska defense held the Spartans to just 187 yards in total offense and no touchdowns.
For the season, David leads Nebraska in tackles with 77. He also has 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, an interception and a fumble recovery. David was the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Oct. 8 when he helped lead the Cornhuskers to a comeback win over Ohio State.
Nebraska is now 7-1 and ranked No. 10 in the nation.
David set a Nebraska team record last year with 152 tackles. He was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Ft. Scott Junior College in Kansas.
David is a criminology and criminal justice major who is a frequent volunteer for various Nebraska charities . Academics remains a top priority for the senior: "My goal was to come here and get a degree for my family, for my parents. That's one thing they all wanted me to get, so that's what I'm focused on doing," he said.
In recognition of David’s performance, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, will make a $1,000 donation to the general scholarship fund at Nebraska.
An interview with David can be heard at halftime of Saturday’s Texas-Texas Tech game on Sports USA Radio Network. The IMPACT Player of the Week is also featured on FOX college football games this weekend.
Other notable performances by players on the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List were:
*Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State. Recovered two fumbles (and returned them 47 yards) as Oklahoma State remained undefeated in 59-24 rout of Baylor.
*Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina. Intercepted a pass, blocked a kick, broke up one pass and had two tackles in win over Tennessee, 14-3.
*Aaron Henry, Wisconsin. Recorded nine tackles, two for losses with a sack in loss to Ohio State, 33-29.
*Joe Holland, Purdue. Had team high 10 tackles with an interception in loss to Michigan, 36-14.
*Luke Kuechly, Boston College. Led Eagles with 12 tackles, one for a loss, and had an interception in win over Maryland, 28-17.
*John Simon, Ohio State. Had two sacks in win over Wisconsin, 33-29.
*Manti Te’o, Notre Dame. Led Irish with 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses, in win over Navy, 56-14.
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Lott IMPACT Players of the Week
Week 1 – Jordan Kovacs, Michigan
Week 2 – Shayne Skov, Stanford
Week 3 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Week 4 – Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State
Week 5 – T.J. McDonald, USC
Week 6 – Lavonte David, Nebraska
Week 7 – John Simon, Ohio State
Week 8 – Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
Week 9 – Lavonte David, Nebraska
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $850,000 to various charities throughout the country. The eighth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held Dec. 11th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: www.LottTrophy.com .
Follow college football by going to the Lott Blog at www.LottTrophy.com