September 18, 2005
The national player of the week nominations are in and the polls are officially open. Aggie fans can cast their vote for Texas A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal for the Cingular Wireless/ABC Sports All-America Player of the Week, the only major college football honor determined exclusively by fans. McNeal was nominated for the award after passing for 349 yards, five touchdown passes, 100 rushing yards and one touchdown run - setting the school record for 449 total yards - in their win over Southern Methodist University.
McNeal is one of four candidates for the All-America Player of the Week, who are selected by a panel of ABC Sports and ESPN college football analysts. The other finalists are: University of Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, who passed for 368 yards and five touchdowns in their 18-22 win over Oregon State. Michigan State University quarterback Drew Stanton, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for another - giving him 375 total yards in the Spartans impressive win over Notre Dame. University of Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart passed for 381 yards and five touchdowns, including one rushing touchdown, in the Trojans' win over University of Arkansas.
Who will be this week's winner now rests solely in the hands of college football fans nationwide. Fans have until Wednesday, September 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST to submit their votes via wireless text messaging.* The winner will be announced September 22 in the first half of the ESPN Thursday Night College Football Game between Air Force and Utah State University. Fans can learn more about this week's nominees online at www.abcsportsallamerica.com or at ESPN.com (keyword: cingular).
Here's how fans can register to vote for the Cingular/ABC Sports All-America Player of the Week this week and every week throughout the 2005 season:
Each time fans vote, they are entered into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the Bowl Championship Series game of their choice. Fans can vote as often as they like.
In December, fans will get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the Cingular/ABC Sports All-America Player of the Year. The selection process will culminate in December in a one-hour special on ABC Sports when the Cingular/ABC Sports Player of the Year and the Football Writers Association of America All-America team will be announced. Last year, University of Texas running back and Chicago Bears first round draft pick Cedric Benson was selected by fans as the Player of the Year.
*Other wireless carriers must opt-in for their subscribers to participate