Fresno State Athletics
Carr Named Football News Offensive Player of the Year
12/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 10, 2001
MIAMI - Fresno State quarterback David Carr and University of Miami safety Edward Reed have been named the Football News' 2001 Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.
Carr, who became just the sixth quarterback in NCAA history to finish a season with at least 4,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, beat out an all-star cast of finalists that included quarterbacks Rex Grossman of Florida and Eric Crouch of Nebraska, Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and BYU running back Luke Staley.
A Bakersfield, Calif., native, Carr also won the Johnny Unitas Award as the nation's top senior quarterback after throwing for 4,308 yards and 42 touchdowns, both tops in the country. He guided Fresno State to an 11-2 record and wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin.
In addition, behind Carr the Bulldogs will be playing in a bowl game for the third consecutive year. FS will play Michigan State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 31 in San Jose, Calif.
Reed, who led the nation's top defense with an NCAA-best nine interceptions, earned the nod over Oklahoma safety Roy Williams, linebackers Robert Thomas of UCLA and E.J. Henderson of Maryland, and defensive end Dwight Freeney of Syracuse.
Carr and Reed, as well as Coach of the Year Ralph Friedgen of Maryland, will be featured in the bowl preview of FN, which will be released toward the end of December.
Last year's Football News Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award winners were TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Miami (Fla.) linebacker Dan Morgan.
