SMU's Scott Symons Tabbed Semifinalist For Broyles Award

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU's Scott Symons Tabbed Semifinalist For Broyles Award

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Broyles Foundation/SMU) – SMU Defensive Coordinator Scott Symons has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced on Tuesday.

The award, which honors college football's top assistant coach, has celebrated the success of the best assistant coaches in the country for 29 yards.

Last week, Symons was selected as one of the 65 nominees for the honor. The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches.

Symons is one of 15 finalists selected from the list of nominees by distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA. The selection committee will next choose five finalists, and an overall winner.

In his third season on the Hilltop, Symons has continued his incredible work on the defensive side of the ball. SMU has built on a dominant championship defense from last season to thrive in the program's first season in the ACC.

The Mustangs rank in the top 25 in the FBS in rushing defense (fourth), defensive touchdowns (fifth), team sacks (11th), third down conversion percentage defense (11th), team tackles for loss (12th), passes intercepted (13th), red zone defense (16th), scoring defense (19th), turnovers gained (23rd) and fourth down conversion percentage defense (23rd).

SMU has led in every half of all of its conference games this year, a result of Symons' defense holding ACC foes to just 53 points in the first half in eight games.

The Mustangs have given up just 13 points and 427 yards in their last two games combined. SMU also hasn't allowed a point in the first half in the last two games.

SMU is set to face Clemson in the ACC Championship at 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The game will air nationally on ABC.

[Charleston Pony]

Hopefully a strong defensive showing against Clemson will help Symons chances!

[Dark Horse]

We're all used to our guys getting nominated for something and then losing out to members of national blueblood teams, but I've got to think Symons has a legit chance at this award. What he has done with this group has been unbelievable.

[highlander]

We're all used to our guys getting nominated for something and then losing out to members of national blueblood teams, but I've got to think Symons has a legit chance at this award. What he has done with this group has been unbelievable.

All winning this award will do is make him more likely to get hired away.