K-State’s Finney Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List
MANHATTAN, Kan. – For a second-straight year, Kansas State center B.J. Finney has been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s premier center, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Tuesday.
Finney’s inclusion on this year’s watch list marks the fifth time a Wildcat has been up for the award, while the Andale, Kan., product is the first two-time candidate in school history. Nick Leckey was a finalist in 2003, while Jordan Bedore (2008) and Wade Weibert (2010) were both preseason candidates. Finney has also been named to the spring watch list for the award each of the last two years.
One of three candidates from the Big 12, Finney is a former walk-on who has turned into a team leader for the Wildcats. During K-State’s Big 12 Championship season in 2012, he was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s top walk-on. The two-time team captain has started all 26 career games, including the last 25 at center heading into his junior campaign.
Finalists for the 2013 Rimington Trophy will be named on December 9, while the winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on December 12.
Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2 million. The 14-year old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $100 million for CF Research.
Dave Rimington, the award’s namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the Outland Trophy’s only double winner as the nation’s finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
K-State opens the 2013 season and the new West Stadium Center against North Dakota State – the two-time FCS National Champion – on Friday, August 30. The sold-out contest kicks off at 7:30 p.m., and will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.
Season tickets have been sold out in addition to single-game tickets for games against the Bison and Iowa State as only scattered singles remain for the other six home contests in 2013. Fans can order tickets online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or in person at the K-State Athletics ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.
– k-statesports.com –
