The Home Depot ESPN Awards Show has presented several awards, including the Davey O'Brien Award, Outland Trophy and Maxwell Award.
Florida State's Chris Weinke won the Davey O'Brien Award, presented to the nation's top quarterback. Weinke, who beat out Oklahoma's Josh Heupel and Purdue's Drew Brees, threw for 4,167 yards and 33 TDs this season.
|  | | FSU's Chris Weinke threw for 4,167 yards, 33 TDs and won the Davey O'Brien Award. |
The Davey O'Brien Award could be a preview of who will win the Heisman Trophy Saturday.
But in a shocking conclusion to the event, Purdue's Drew Brees won the Maxwell Award as the nation's outstanding player. Most expected either Weinke or Heupel to win the award, but Brees captured the award after throwing for 3,393 yards and 24 TDs this season.
In another mild surprise, Tennessee's DL John Henderson won the Outland Trophy, presented to the nation's outstanding interior lineman. Henderson, who beat out Nebraska center Dominic Raiola and Texas offensive tackle Leonard Davis, anchored a Tennessee defense that helped the Vols reel off six straight wins and earn a Cotton Bowl bid.
Pittsburgh's Antonio Bryant won the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the country's top receiver. Bryant, who edged out UCLA's Freddie Mitchell and FSU's Marvin Minnis, had 68 receptions for 1,302 yards and 11 TDs.
Wisconsin's Kevin Stemke earned the inaugural Ray Guy Trophy, edging out Cal's Nick Harris and Minnesota's Preston Gruening. Many thought Harris -- who reminds many of Guy, including Guy himself -- would win, but Stemke's 44.85 yard average helped him win the award.
Wisconsin won another award, this time defensive back Jamar Fletcher winning the Jim Thorpe Award. Fletcher, who beat out Mississippi State's Fred Smoot and Akron's Dwight Smith, has six interceptions and was rarely challenged this season.
Oklahoma's Bob Stoops was named the Home Depot Coach of the Year. Stoops guided the Sooners to a No. 1 ranking, a 12-0 record and a spot in this year's national title game in the Orange Bowl against Florida State.
University of Cincinnati's Jonathan Ruffin won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top collegiate kicker. Ruffin finished ahead of Kansas State's Jamie Rheem and Tennessee's Alex Walls, who will meet in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1. Just two votes separated all three, organizers said.
Ruffin kicked 26-of-29 field goals and had a school single-season record 104 points as the Bearcats earned a bid to the Motor City Bowl against Marshall. He also set a school record by kicking at least one field goal in each game.
TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's best running back. Tomlinson, who beat out Northwestern's Damien Anderson and Michigan's Anthony Thomas, led the country in rushing with 2,158 yards. He is also just the second player ever to rush for 2,000 in a season and over 5,000 in a career (Texas' Ricky Williams is the other).
Miami linebacker Dan Morgan won the Chuck Bednarik Award presented to the nation's outstanding defensive player. Morgan, who edged out FSU defensive lineman Jamal Reynolds and Clemson linebacker Keith Adams, averaged 11.6 tackles a game and finished his career as Miami's all-time leader in tackles with 532.
William & Mary running back Hameen Ali was presented the Disney Spirit Award for his inspirational story of overcoming being deserted by his mother to go on to become a top high school and college athlete. He was a state track champion and star football player in high school in Delaware and is No. 8 on William & Mary's all-time rushing list with 2,217 yards.
| |
ALSO SEE
ESPN.com's College Bowls coverage
College Football Awards coverage
Heisman Poll: We have declared a winner
VIDEO
  Drew Brees wins the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's outstanding player. RealVideo: 28.8 Chris Weinke wins the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best quarterback. RealVideo: 28.8 LaDainian Tomlinson wins the Doak Walker Award, given to the outstanding non-freshman running back. RealVideo: 28.8 Dan Morgan wins the Bednarik Award for top defensive player. RealVideo: 28.8 Bob Stoops wins the Coach of the Year Award. RealVideo: 28.8 Antonio Bryant wins the Biletnikoff award given to the nation's top receiver. RealVideo: 28.8 Jamar Fletcher wins the Jim Thorpe Award for top defensive back. RealVideo: 28.8 John Henderson wins the Outland Trophy for the top interior lineman. RealVideo: 28.8 |
