Appalachian State free safety Corey Lynch is among the 16 players on the final Buck Buchanan Award watch list, it was announced by the Sports Network.
Lynch has won two games for Appalachian State on the final play of the game this season. His blocked field goal and against Michigan on the opening weekend has been voted as the play of the year in college football. He had an interception at the goal line and a 47-yard return to preserve a victory over Furman on Oct. 27.
Lynch also had a blocked punt and interception on Sept. 29 to help Appalachian State hold off Elon for another key road victory and intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown in a 79-35 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday. He is current the active career leader nationally with 21 interceptions, including three this year for 112 yards in returns and has five
career blocked kicks.
Lynch has helped the two-time defending national champion move within a game of winning a share of its third straight Southern Conference title. He has 76 tackles to lead the Mountaineer defense, three tackles for loss and five pass break-ups.
The award, which has been presented annually since 1995 by the Sports Network, goes to the player voted by a panel of sports information directors, media members and other college football experts to the top player in FCS. Ballots will be sent to voters next Sunday, with voting ending before the start of the FCS playoffs on Nov. 21.
The winner of the 13th Buck Buchanan Award will be announced at the annual Sports Network awards banquet on Dec. 13 in Chattanooga, Tenn. at the Marriott Hotel. The Walter Payton Award, the Eddie Robinson Award and the Sports Network Cup will also be awarded.
The winner of the 21st Walter Payton Award, the 21st Eddie Robinson Award and the Sports Network Cup will also be awarded.
The Buchanan Award goes to the top defensive player annually in FCS, while the Robinson Award is given to the top coach in FCS. The Sports Network Cup, which will be awarded for the seventh time, is awarded to the No. 1 Mid-Major team in FCS.
Joining Lynch on the ballot are McNeese State defensive end Bryan Smith, Montana defensive end Kroy Biermann, San Diego defensive end Eric Bakhtiari, Montana State linebacker Bobby Daly, linebacker Mike Gallihugh of Colgate, free safety Jarmaul George of Southern, linebacker Jason Hatchell of Massachusetts, defensive end Brian Johnston of Gardner-Webb, free safety Tony LeZotte of James Madison, linebacker Joe Mays of North Dakota State, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of Tennessee State, linebacker Kye Stewart of Illinois State, linebacker Donald Thomas of Eastern Illinois, Nicholls State safety Ladarius Webb and free safety Bobby Williams of Bethune-Cookman.