Dolan, Hall, Smith Named to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
Southland Conference
STATS FCS Release
FRISCO, Texas – Three Southland Conference seniors earned spots on the 2017 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, STATS FCS announced Friday. Central Arkansas defensive back Tremon Smith, Houston Baptist linebacker Garrett Dolan and Sam Houston State defensive lineman P.J. Hall earned the preseason distinction.
The Buchanan award, first given in 1995, will be presented in Frisco at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet as part of game-week activities leading up to the 2018 FCS Championship game at Toyota Stadium on Jan. 6, which the Southland will host for ninth consecutive year.
Hall has his sights set high after finishing as runner-up in voting for the 2016 award, which went to Northern Iowa defensive lineman Karter Schult. The reigning Southland Defensive Player of the Year led the league last season with 13 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss and third with three forced fumbles. He tallied 56 total tackles from the defensive end position.
Dolan was a force in the front seven for the Huskies, becoming the first Associated Press and STATS All-American in program history. He also finished as a finalist for last year’s Buck Buchanan Award and was named an All-Conference selection for the third-straight season. He ranked second nationally with 12.3 tackles per game and recorded 135 total tackles (15.5 for losses).
Smith will again be a vital part of Central Arkansas’ potent defense. In his junior season, he tallied 35 total tackles, broke up 11 passes and notched two interceptions. He was also a key contributor on special teams, returning a league-high 25 punts for 224 yards, good for second in the Southland.
Hall and the Bearkats begin the 2017 season early, hosting Richmond on Sunday, Aug. 27. The “week zero” match-up will be televised on ESPNU. The Bears and Huskies both open their seasons on the road on Sept. 2, with Central Arkansas heading to Manhattan to face Kansas State and HBU facing Texas State in San Marcos.