PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Southern Illinois seniors Korey Lindsey and Mike McElroy have been selected to the 2010 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List that was released Monday by The Sports Network.
Lindsey, a cornerback, and McElroy, a safety, are among a group of 20 players that will be considered for the award that is presented annually to the FCS' national defensive player of the year.
Both players are coming off monster 2009 seasons. McElroy's seven interceptions last year tied for the fourth most in the nation and Lindsey was right behind with six picks.
McElroy, who returned one interception 80-yards for a touchdown against Missouri State, is the teams leading returning tackler after having 78 stops a year ago. He was a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 2009 and a second team honoree in 2008. He garnered ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team accolades in 2009 where the Lowell, Mich. native had 7.0 tackles for a loss and four pass breakups.
"Mike McElroy is the type of student-athlete that every coach in the country wants on his team," head coach Dale Lennon said. "On the field, he's a fierce competitor and strong leader who will put the well being of his team ahead of his personal goals. In the classroom, his commitment to academic success parallels his dedication to the game of football. Mike exemplifies the positive qualities of what is good in college athletics."
Lindsey, a Baton Rouge, La. native, has intercepted six passes in each of the past two seasons and enters the year ranked No. 3 in school history with 13 career picks. He was a Sports Network third team All-American in 2008 and was named to four All-America teams in 2009, including first team accolades from the AFCA and Associated Press. Lindsey was a First-Team All-MVFC selection in both 2008 and 2009. He had 63 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery last year.
"Korey Lindsey is an extremely talented cornerback who possesses remarkable football instincts," Lennon said. "Because of this combination, Korey has consistently been a big play defender for the Saluki defense and has produced several game winning plays during his tenure at SIU. Korey has the potential to become one of the most decorated defensive players in Saluki football history."
Southern Illinois is one of only three schools, along with Appalachian State and Richmond, to have more than one candidate nominated for the award.
The Sports Network has awarded the Buchanan Award annually since 1999. Saluki safety Alexis Moreland was considered for the award in 2004, although he did not make the final ballot. Linebacker Brandin Jordan finished ninth in the voting last year.
The Buck Buchanan Award is named for the legendary Grambling State and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle. The watch list can undergo revision during the 2010 season, when updated lists are announced on Oct. 4 and 25. Ballots will be sent to a panel of approximately 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 22. The winner will be announced at The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation on Thursday, Jan. 6, the night before the national championship game.
