ATLANTA, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award have been announced after the eleventh week of college football action, and now it's up to fans to determine the winner. Boston College safety Paul Anderson, Texas Tech University quarterback Graham Harrell, University of Alabama safety Rashad Johnson and Oregon State University running back Jacquizz Rodgers have been selected by ESPN as this week's top candidates, based on the players' outstanding performances over the weekend. Fans can text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone to opt in for the chance to vote.
Anderson had two interceptions, running one of them back 76-yards for a touchdown, to help lead the Eagles to a 17-0 shutout of rival Notre Dame, the first shutout ever in the series between the nation's only Catholic schools playing major college football. Harrell, already with three AT&T All-America Player of the Week awards this season, led his undefeated (10-0) Red Raiders to a 56-20 win over #8 Oklahoma State by completing 40-of-50 passes for 456 yards and six touchdowns. Johnson intercepted three passes - returning one for a touchdown and another in a key overtime play - to help his top-ranked Crimson Tide roll past SEC rival #15 Louisiana State University 27-21. And Rodgers ran for 144 yards to increase his season total to 1,089, setting a Pac-10 rushing record for freshmen. He also scored two touchdowns to help his Beavers to a 34-6 victory over the UCLA Bruins.
"This was yet another terrific week in the college football season. These four players really helped to deliver their respective teams some exciting victories," said Tim McGhee, director of corporate sponsorships for AT&T. "We are excited to present the opportunity, but it is now all in the fans hands to pick the week ten recipient of the AT&T All-America Player of the Week Award."
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced during Thursday's ESPN College Football Primetime Presented by Applebee's. Standard text messaging rates apply.
There is no limit on fan voting, and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game in Miami. Full sweepstakes rules can be found at http://www.espnallamerica.com/rules.aspx.
In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on FOX on Jan. 9.
Additionally, AT&T customers can view video highlights and photos of each week's candidates and track their favorite teams through AT&T's wireless NCAA Football Portal, which is accessible on AT&T handsets by launching AT&T MEdia(TM) Net and clicking through to the sports category. AT&T wireless customers with 3G handsets can also watch "Confessions of a College Football Junkie" video clips featuring Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit by accessing ESPN on AT&T CV.*
Through the AT&T MEdia Mall, fans can also download fight song ringtones from more than 150 college and universities. Animated screensavers and 3-D mobile wallpaper are available for more than 100 college and universities.
*AT&T CV requires a MEdia Max Unlimited or MEdia Net Unlimited bundle. Details on AT&T's MEdia Net bundles and other offers are available at http://www.att.com/wireless.
Find More Information Online: Web Site Links: AT&T Web Site (http://www.att.com/) AT&T All American Player of the Week Web Site (http://www.espnallamerica.com/) AT&T MEdia Mall Web Site (http://www.att.com/mediamall2) Related Releases: Sports Fans Can Stay Connected With AT&T Text Alerts (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=256) Technorati Tags: AT&T, NCAA, Football, All America About AT&T
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