DALLAS (FWAA) – James King, a redshirt freshman from Central Michigan University, was named the FWAA-Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week on Monday by a panel of FWAA members.
The FWAA (Football Writers Association of America) will pick a Defensive Player of the Week each Monday during the rest of the regular season. This is the first week the award has been presented during the 2001 season. King will automatically be added to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which will be presented on Dec. 3 in Charlotte, N.C., by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
The 6-1, 195-pounder from, Oak Park, Mich., blocked four punts in a 35-21 loss at Michigan State last Saturday and tied an NCAA record. Two of his blocked punts were returned for touchdowns. Also a starter at defensive back, King had seven unassisted tackles and four pass breakups.
King tied the NCAA mark of four blocked punts set by Ken Irvin of Memphis against Arkansas State in 1992. King also blocked a punt in the 2001 season-opener against Eastern Kentucky. The NCAA single-season record for blocked punts is eight.