Gophers oline coach Brian Callahan has two of his WMU guys on the Outland Trophy list. Keenoy expected to continue run of WMU olinemen to NFL streak.
Broncos Boast Two of Five MAC Mentions on Outland Trophy Watch List
Story LinksKALAMAZOO, Mich.- It was announced today that Western Michigan senior center John Keenoy and junior right guard Luke Juriga were named to the 2018 Outland Trophy Watch List.
The Outland Trophy, presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, is awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense. First presented in 1946, it is the third-oldest award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.
The Broncos are responsible for two of the five Mid-American Conference recognitions on this year's list.
This is the second season in a row Keenoy has earned a Outland Trophy Watch mention and the second straight year WMU has had a pair of preseason nods. Last year, senior offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was voted one of six national semifinalists for the award.
This past week Keenoy also earned a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch list, awarded to the nation's top center.
Keenoy and Juriga have both been fixtures on Western Michigan's offensive line. Keenoy is entering his fourth season as a starter at Western Michigan and has started every game played (37 of 38 possible contests) in the Brown & Gold. He has been an All-MAC selection the last two seasons, earning First Team honors in 2017 and Second Team accolades in 2016. He was on the First Team All-MAC list headed into this season by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Juriga has started all 26 games over the last two seasons, 25 of those at right guard and one at center, replacing Keenoy against Wagner last season. Juriga was a Second Team All-MAC, Academic All-MAC and MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete last year as a sophomore. Juriga was picked a Second Team All-MAC selection for 2018 by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Keenoy and Juriga have helped pave the way for a WMU running game that has been ranked in the top 25 in the nation the last two years. WMU ranked 21st in the nation rushing in 2017, averaging 224.8 yards per game. Seven different players rushed for 26 touchdowns and running back Jarvion Franklin became the school's all-time leader for career rushing yards (4,867) and rushing touchdowns (52).
Broncos Boast Two of Five MAC Mentions on Outland Trophy Watch List
Story LinksKALAMAZOO, Mich.- It was announced today that Western Michigan senior center John Keenoy and junior right guard Luke Juriga were named to the 2018 Outland Trophy Watch List.
The Outland Trophy, presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, is awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense. First presented in 1946, it is the third-oldest award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.
The Broncos are responsible for two of the five Mid-American Conference recognitions on this year's list.
This is the second season in a row Keenoy has earned a Outland Trophy Watch mention and the second straight year WMU has had a pair of preseason nods. Last year, senior offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was voted one of six national semifinalists for the award.
This past week Keenoy also earned a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch list, awarded to the nation's top center.
Keenoy and Juriga have both been fixtures on Western Michigan's offensive line. Keenoy is entering his fourth season as a starter at Western Michigan and has started every game played (37 of 38 possible contests) in the Brown & Gold. He has been an All-MAC selection the last two seasons, earning First Team honors in 2017 and Second Team accolades in 2016. He was on the First Team All-MAC list headed into this season by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Juriga has started all 26 games over the last two seasons, 25 of those at right guard and one at center, replacing Keenoy against Wagner last season. Juriga was a Second Team All-MAC, Academic All-MAC and MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete last year as a sophomore. Juriga was picked a Second Team All-MAC selection for 2018 by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Keenoy and Juriga have helped pave the way for a WMU running game that has been ranked in the top 25 in the nation the last two years. WMU ranked 21st in the nation rushing in 2017, averaging 224.8 yards per game. Seven different players rushed for 26 touchdowns and running back Jarvion Franklin became the school's all-time leader for career rushing yards (4,867) and rushing touchdowns (52).