NDSU’s Emanuel Added to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA - North Dakota State defensive end Kyle Emanuel was added to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list Tuesday, Sept. 30.  The award will be presented by The Sports Network at the FCS awards banquet Dec. 15 to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.

Emanuel, a senior from Schuyler, Neb., already has 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks through four games after totaling 10.0 TFLs and 7.5 sacks last season.  He has 21 total tackles, two forced fumbles, three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.

Emanuel impressed with 4.0 tackles for loss including a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in the season-opening win at Iowa State.  He had 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble that led to the go-ahead touchdown in the Week 2 victory at Weber State.

Emanuel ranks sixth in the FCS and leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 1.25 sacks per game.  He is eighth nationally and third in the conference with 2.1 tackles for loss per game.  NDSU's defense ranks second in the FCS in points allowed and third in total defense.

NDSU strong safety Colten Heagle, a preseason selection, remains on the Buchanan watch list with 18 other FCS players.  Indiana State defensive end Connor Underwood was the only other addition to the list.  Missouri State strong safety Caleb Schaffitzel is the only other MVFC player on the list, and Montana defensive end Zack Wagenmann is the only other Bison opponent listed.

The Buck Buchanan Award watch list can undergo revision during the season. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.

The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award is bestowed upon the FCS coach of the year.

Fordam linebacker Stephen Hodge and Southeast Louisiana cornerback Harlan Miller were dropped from the Buchanan watch list.

2014 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List - September 30 revision
Quinn Backus, LB, Coastal Carolina
Tony Bell, LB, Tennessee-Martin
James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah
Kyle Emanuel, DE, North Dakota State
Daniel Fitzpatrick, SS, Tennessee State
Jacob Hagen, FS, Liberty
Ronnie Hamlin, LB, Eastern Washington
Colten Heagle, SS, North Dakota State
Zach Hodges, DE, Harvard
OJ Mau, NG, Gardner-Webb
Troy Moore, DT, Sacred Heart
Mike Reilly, DE, William & Mary
Caleb Schaffitzel, SS, Missouri State
Tye Smith, CB, Towson
Jaquiski Tartt, FS, Samford
Lynden Trail, OLB, Norfolk State
Davis Tull, DE, Chattanooga
Connor Underwood, DE, Indiana State
Zack Wagenmann, DE, Montana
Jonathan Woodard, DE, Central Arkansas