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CENTER OF ATTENTION: WEEK 8
Josh McNeil (So., 6-4, 280), Tennessee
Tennessee sophomore center Josh McNeil has been named
Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts
in last Saturday's 33-21 win at Mississippi State. A Collins, Miss.,
native, McNeil returned to familiar territory on the Starkville
campus. He grew up watching his older brother, Chris, play center for
MSU and had several family members and friends in attendance Saturday
at Davis Wade Stadium.
When asked if he spoke to his brother prior to the game, his
response was "I talk to him every day. It's awkward for him because he
played there but he supports his family. He is in the UT family
section. I'm sure he is torn. I don't know who he wants to win, but I
know he hopes I play well and stay healthy throughout the game. It is
probably worse for him than it is for me."
The follow up question was did he feel there was pressure to go to
Mississippi State out of high school? McNeil responded with "I think
there was some pressure because my brother went there. There really
isn't a chance for brothers to have a legacy at a position. I think my
brother and I and the Cottam (Brad and Jeff) brothers are the only two
sets of siblings playing the same position at the college level. I was
urged to go there and continue the tradition of McNeil centers at
Mississippi State, but I earned my scholarship and wanted to have an
open mind and try to pick the best place for me."
McNeil played 77 offensive snaps and contributed 10 knockdown
blocks while pushing UT's offensive unit to a season-high 221 rushing
yards and 259 yards through the air. The Vols controlled the ball for
31:39 against the Bulldogs and also completed their fourth straight
game without a quarterback sack. Tennessee leads the nation with only
two sacks allowed through the midway point of 2007.
FORMER RIMINGTON TROPHY WINNER REACHES MILESTONE IN NFL
Dominic Raiola (6-1, 295), Nebraska (2000 Winner)
Since leaving Nebraska in 2000 as the Rimington Trophy winner,
Raiola enters his seventh pro season and his sixth as Detroit's
starting center. He has played in every game for the Lions since being
drafted in the second round (50th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft and
has made 85 consecutive starts at center since the beginning of the
2002 season.
Among centers in the league, he has the second most consecutive
starts (85) in the league behind Kansas City C Casey Wiegman
(100). On Sept. 30 vs. Chicago, he played in his 100th game. In 2006,
Raiola emerged as one of the most effective all- around centers in the
league, especially with his ability to get outside and block on the
perimeter and to get to the second level.
At the beginning of the season, he was named a 2007 offensive team
captain and has helped the Lions offense to an impressive start.
Against the Vikings on Sept. 16, he contributed to an offensive output
of 415 total yards and followed that up with a 432 yard offensive
outburst vs. Philadelphia on Sept. 23. He has played in all 101 games
in his career.
The Rimington winner set school records while at Nebraska with 140
knockdown blocks (11.67 per game) as a sophomore in 1999 only to
better that as a junior in 2000 with 145 (13.2 per game).
Raiola is involved in the Detroit community which includes a Mott
Children's Hospital visit to patients and donates tickets to the
Children's Center through CATS (Caring Athletes Ticket Service) for
Kids program.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rimington candidate from the University of Arkansas Jonathan
Luigs has been selected as one of the Hogwired.com players of the
week for his effort in last Saturday's game against No. 22 Auburn.
Luigs earned a team-high tying four knockdowns against the Tigers. He
also recorded a perfect 100-percent grade in pass protection. The
junior lineman played all 54 offensive snaps against Auburn. This 2006
All- American has started every game of his UA career, including
21-consecutive starts at center. He is part of an offensive line that
clears the way for the Southeastern Conference' s top rushing attack
at 293.2 yard per game.
GAMES TO TIVO
This week's head-to-head match-ups of Rimington Watch Listers (all
game times are ET): Saturday, October 20, 2007
- Auburn (Jason Bosley) at LSU (Brett Helms) 9:00 p.m. ESPN
- Army (Trey Miranne) at Georgia Tech (Kevin Tuminello) 12:00 noon
- Penn State (A.Q. Shipley) at Indiana (Ben Wyss) 12:00 noon ESPN
- Iowa (Rafael Eubanks) at Purdue (Robbie Powell) 12:00 noon ESPN
2
- Tennessee (Josh McNeil) at Alabama (Antoine Caldwell) 12:30 p.m.
- Wake Forest (Steve Justice) at Navy (Antron Harper) 1:00 p.m.
- Arkansas (Jonathan Luigs) at Mississippi (Corey Actis) 2:00 p.m.
- Wyoming (Tim Bond) at Air Force (Blaine Guenther) 2:00 p.m.
- Texas A&M (Cody Wallace) at Nebraska (Brett Byford) 2:05 p.m.
- Nevada (Dominic Green) at Utah State (Ryan Tonnemacher) 3:05
p.m.
- Mississippi State (Royce Blackledge) at West Virginia (Mike
Dent) 3:30 p.m.
- California (Alex Mack) at UCLA (Chris Joseph) 3:30 p.m. ESPN 360
- San Jose State (Justin Paysinger) at Fresno State (Ryan Wendell)
5:00 p.m.
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