Hart Receives National Recognition for Play at Purdue
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The awards keep coming for University of Michigan freshman tailback Michael Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) following his 206-yard rushing performance in the Wolverines' 16-14 football win over Purdue on Saturday (Oct. 23). Hart was named the Cingular/ABC Sports All-America Player of the Week and the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week for his play against the Boilermakers.
| | Hart |
The Cingular/ABC Sports award comes from a nationwide Internet poll, conducted on www.abcsportsallamerica.com and espn.com. He was one of four candidates nominated by a panel of ABC Sports and ESPN college football analysts, led by John Saunders. He beat out Miami (Fla.) quarterback Brock Berlin, Mississippi State running back Jerious Norwood, and Arizona State quarterback Andrew Walter to win the award. Hart joins Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson as the only two running backs to win this award this season.
Hart was named the National Freshman of the Week by Rivals.com. Quarterback and teammate Chad Henne (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) has also earned the award, in consecutive weeks for his 300-yard passing efforts against Iowa (Sept. 25) and Indiana (Oct. 2).
Hart has emerged as the star of the Wolverines backfield this season, rushing 187 times for 936 yards (5.0 avg.). He also has four rushing touchdowns and one receiving score on the season. Hart is fourth on the team with 18 receptions for 155 yards. His rushing numbers are already the best for a true freshman in Michigan history.
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
