Jennings, Smith: Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalists

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Jennings, Smith Tabbed Semifinalists For Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

TYLER, Texas (SPORTyler/SMU) – Mustangs' quarterback Kevin Jennings and running back Brashard Smith have been named semifinalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or currently playing at Texas D1 four-year college.

This season, Jennings has gone 176-264 through the air for 2,521 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also has added 315 yards on the ground and four scores.

Since being named the starter prior to the TCU game, Jennings has led the Mustangs to eight consecutive wins, with all eight being over power-conference opponents and seven being ACC matchups. SMU has averaged over 41 points per game during the winning streak.

The Oak Cliff native has helped lead SMU to a historic 10-1 start overall and 7-0 in the ACC, including a conference championship game berth. The Mustangs are ranked ninth in the AP and Coaches poll this week, the programs highest ranking since 1985.

Smith has also been a critical piece to the Mustangs' success this year, accumulating 1,089 yards on the ground and 13 scores. He also has 203 yards receiving with two touchdowns. He is one of just eight FBS players with 1,000+ rushing and 200+ receiving yards on the season.

The Richmond Heights, Florida, native also has 243 kickoff return yards, making him the only player in the FBS with 1,000+ rushing, 200+ receiving and 200+ kickoff return yards this year.

Smith has posted a 91.2 offensive grade by PFF on the season, the fifth highest by any offensive player amongst all Power 5 teams (70 teams) (Min 200 snaps). He also has 1,533 all-purpose yards on the year, which rank 11th most in a single season in program history.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Selection Committee will be comprised of Texas-based journalists and college football dignitaries and, in subsequent years, each of the all-time winners. This year, the selection committee have narrowed the field to up to 16 semifinalists and up to five finalists in December. The recipient of the award will be announced in January.