FWAA News from Steve Richardson News

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has been selected as the 2024 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year after leading the Hoosiers to a spot in the College Football Playoff and the most wins in program history. Indiana shot out to a program-record 10-0 start to the season and finished its regular season with other program-firsts with an 11-1 record and eight Big Ten Conference wins, finishing tied for second. The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is presented by the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The 2024 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team , presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, has five repeat All-Americans and 16 players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 40 different schools. Players from the expanded Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences make up 27, or half, of the 54-member team with nine of the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences represented plus an Independent.

Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., was named the recipient of the 79th Outland Trophy on Thursday night during The Home Depot College Football Awards. The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s best college interior lineman on offense or defense. Banks is the Longhorns’ fifth Outland Trophy winner and their second consecutive awardee.

The Football Writers Association of America, in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl, announced nine finalists for the 2024 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Tuesday. The FWAA's National Coach of the Year will be chosen from among a list that includes three prior finalists, including one repeat finalist from last season and six who have been nominated for the first time. Seven of the nine have their teams playing in the College Football Playoff and five won conference championships this year.

As the leader of one of the FBS’ top defensive fronts with tackle numbers that place him among the country’s best at negating plays in the backfield, South Carolina edge rusher Kyle Kennard has earned the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player from the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Kennard, one of the FBS’ top sack leaders, was honored tonight with the award here in Charlotte, N.C., at a gala banquet.

Why FBS conference champion games may go away 

The Michigan Wolverines took advantage of turnovers, powered their ground game to success and stalled the Ohio State offense throughout its 13-10 win Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. For taking its fourth straight win over the Buckeyes in the bitter rivalry game, Michigan earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Nov. 30, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. South Carolina is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 14.

Three finalists for the 2024 Outland Trophy – offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. of Texas, and defensive tackles Mason Graham of Michigan and Walter Nolen of Ole Miss – were announced Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Oklahoma Sooners used an overpowering running attack and some timely takeaways to upset No. 7 Alabama, 24-3, on Senior Night at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Fans rushed the field not once but twice as the Sooners won their first Southeastern Conference game at home and became bowl eligible for a 26th consecutive season to earn the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Nov. 23, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Buffalo is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 13.

Four finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy representing two conferences, one of them a top pass defender off a top-five team in the current College Football Playoff rankings and the other three among this season’s top offensive backfield disrupters were named Friday as candidates for the award honoring the nation’s top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

OMAHA (FWAA) – Seven semifinalists for the 2024 Outland Trophy – five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles – were announced Wednesday by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. The semifinalists are each from different schools representing four conferences and represent all four positions eligible for the award.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Fordham is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 12.

The Kansas Jayhawks went into Provo, Utah, and upended Big 12 leader and previously-undefeated and 6th-ranked BYU, 17-13. For beating a ranked team for a second consecutive week – a first in program history – the Jayhawks (4-6) earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games the weekend of Nov. 16, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Tennessee center Cooper Mays guided the Volunteers’ offensive line to help amass 452 total yards Saturday in a 33-14 win over Mississippi State. For not allowing a sack for a 23rd consecutive game and pacing the Southeastern Conference in pass blocking efficiency, Mays earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Ole Miss defensive line dominated Georgia on Saturday and one name kept coming up on multiple key plays and takeaways – defensive end Jared Ivey. The career-high five solo stops among his seven total tackles and two sacks that contributed to the Rebels’ 28-10 win has earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts have teamed up to present the Pop-Tarts ‘Crazy Good’ Play of the Week during the 2024-25 college football season, with each week's play selected in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America. Jax State is the winner of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for Week 11.

Armed Forces Merit Award recipient named

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ran for 271 yards on one side of the ball and contained the nation’s top offense on the other in a 28-23 win Saturday over No. 4 Miami. For taking down the previously undefeated Hurricanes and gaining bowl eligibility in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2013-14, Georgia Tech earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Nov. 9, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.