Murray State University Athletics
Williams Finishes Fifth in Buchanan Voting
12/18/2008 6:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State linebacker Nathan Williams finished fifth in the voting for the 2008 Buck Buchanan Award, it was announced by The Sports Network at the Awards Dinner in Chattanooga, Tenn. Thursday evening.
The Buchanan Award is given annually to the nation's top defensive player at the FCS level. The 2008 award winner was Greg Peach (313 votes) of Eastern Washington. Maine's Javon Belcher (206 votes) finished second, followed by Appalachian State's Mark LeGree (183 votes), Western Illinois' Jason Williams (164 votes) and Nathan Williams (140 votes).
Nathan Williams finished tied for third with 11 first-place votes, tieing with Jason Williams. Nathan Williams also received 11 second-place votes, five third-place votes, seven fourth-place votes and 12 fifth-place votes.
Williams is the second Racer to be nominated for the Buchanan. Cornerback William Hampton finished in the top five in 1995 after intercepting eight passes and returning four of them for touchdowns.
Williams, who was voted a First-Team All-American by the Associated Press and Walter Camp Foundation, led all levels of college football with 179 total tackles. His 14.9 tackles per game ties for sixth all-time in the FCS.
