Sutton One of 10 Finalists for Gagliardi Trophy

Tony Sutton (Akron, Ohio / Archbishop Hoban) of The College of Wooster is one of 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NCAA Div. III Outstanding Football Player of the Year, announced the J-Club of St. John’s (Minn.) University late Tuesday. The prestigious honor takes into account excellence in athletics, academics, and community service, and is sponsored by Jostens, Inc.

Sutton becomes the second finalist in school history, joining former All-American middle linebacker Seth Duerr (2000).

Sutton, who was also selected the North Coast Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year Tuesday, is the Div. III leader in rushing (189.5 ypg), scoring (18.0 ppg), and all-purpose yardage (225.0 ypg). In fact, he’s trying to become the first player in any NCAA division to lead the nation in those three categories in back-to-back years after averaging 217.2 rushing yards, 20.7 points, and 244.8 all-purpose yards in 2003.

This fall, Sutton has broken NCAC records for a season and a career in rushing yards (2,084; 5,457), rushing touchdowns (31; 76), total touchdowns (33; 80), scoring (198; 480), and all-purpose yards (2,475; 6,256). The previous season records were set by Sutton last year with marks of 1,955, 30, 31, 186, and 2,203, respectively.

The soon-to-be three-time All-American running back has five receptions for 46 yards and one touchdown this season, and added kickoff returns to his duties. Although most opponents kick away from him, Sutton has gotten his hands on 11 kickoffs, netting 345 yards (31.4 average) and one touchdown, which landed him another first-team honor on the all-conference team (return specialist).

Sutton helped Wooster march through the regular season undefeated (10-0) for the first time in 81 years (9-0; 1923), and the Scots won their first outright conference championship (7-0) since 1934 (OAC). Currently, Wooster is in the second round of the NCAA Div. III Football Championship, as it will welcome Carthage (Wis.) College (10-1) to John P. Papp Stadium this Saturday (Nov. 27) for a noon kickoff. A trip to the national quarterfinals is on the line for the two teams.

Other finalists for the 2004 Gagliardi Trophy are Zach Bruney, a senior quarterback at Mt. Union College, Scott Burnoski, a senior wide receiver from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Centre College senior wide receiver David Crowley, Nick Cushman, a senior wide receiver at Albright College, Lance Moore, a senior running back from Hardin-Simmons University, Wheaton (Ill.) College senior wide receiver Brad Musso, Rocky Myers, a senior free safety from Wesley College, Daniel Swanstrom, a senior quarterback from Rhodes College, and Concordia-Moorehead College’s senior cornerback Jordan Talge.

The J-Club Board of Directors coordinates the selection of the finalists, while a 30-member national selection committee, which includes coaches, former Division III student-athletes, college administrators, business leaders, and members of the media, will determine the winner.

The trophy will be presented to the winner in Salem, Va., on Thursday, Dec. 16, at an annual luncheon, which will kickoff festivities for the Stagg Bowl – Division III’s national championship game.