Fenton Named to Lombardi Watch List - University of Colorado Athletics

BOULDER -- University of Colorado center Mark Fenton was named to the 2006 preliminary watch list for the 37th Rotary Lombardi Award.

Fenton and the other 43 candidates earned a place on the initial watch list by earning All-American honors at the end of the 2005 or previous seasons, or by being named to their respective All-Conference team as selected by the conference’s head coaches. Eligibility is limited to down linemen and those defensive players which line up within five yards of the football.

Fenton had a breakout junior campaign in 2005 as conference coaches named him First Team All-Big 12. He was also one of six finalists for the Rimington trophy given each year to the nation’s top center. The only offensive lineman to play every game last season, he played a team-high 799 plays from scrimmage?the most of any player on the team and 159 more than the next highest on the offensive line. He also recorded 26 knockdown blocks and allowed only five quarterback pressures and no sacks on the year.

            "This is great national recognition for Colorado," Assistant Head/Offensive Line Coach Chris Strausser said. "I haven't been able to work with Mark in pads yet, but from what I've seen, he is an accomplished player and he brings good leadership to the table. I'm excited to start coaching him this spring."

   The Lombardi Award will be presented on Dec. 6 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston. Linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State received the award last year.

   Colorado has had six players nominated for the Lombardi Award in its history: Kanavis McGhee, 1989 (finalist); Bryan Stoltenberg, 1995 (semifinalist); Andre Gurode, 2001 (nominee); Jashon Sykes, 2001 (nominee); Justin Bates, 2002 (nominee); and Wayne Lucier, 2002 (nominee).