The University of Akron Athletics
Kiki Gonzalez Named to Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List
August 10 | Football
University of Akron senior defensive lineman Kiki
Gonzalez (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth HS) is one of 101 players
named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, announced today.
Gonzalez joins five other Mid-American Conference players on the
list, including Central Michigan's Dan Bauzin, Northern Illinois'
Doug Free, Toledo's John Greco, Western Michigan's Ameer Ismail and
Ohio's Matt Muncy.
A preseason All-MAC pick by Athlon, Lindy's, Street
and Smith's and The Sporting News, Gonzalez has
started 24-straight games and was a second-team All-MAC honoree in
2005. Last season he tallied 35 total tackles, including seven
tackles-for-loss, along with a fumble recovery. Gonzalez was also
credited with a blocked field-goal attempt in Akron's win over
Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game.
The 37th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank, which
honors the top lineman in college football while raising funds for
the American Cancer Society, will be presented in Houston on
December 6 at the Hilton Americas Hotel.
This year's list is almost evenly divided between offensive and
defensive players, with 54 defenders and 47 offensive players
currently listed.
Any player who meets the basic award criteria (a down lineman on
either side of the ball-including tight ends, and linebackers who
line up within five yards of the ball) is eligible to receive
votes. In each of the past two years (Erasmus James in 2004 and
Elvis Dumervil in 2005) an eventual finalist for the award was not
included on the Watch List at the start of the season.
Akron wrapped up its fourth day of practice on Thursday and will
don pads for the first time Friday afternoon. Fans will have a
chance to get their first peek of the 2006 squad at its annual
"Meet the Team Day," scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 13 from 5-6:30 p.m.
in the Athletics Field House. Admission to the event is free.
