Graham Harrell, T.J. Lee, Jeremy Maclin and Shun White Announced as Week One Nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week AwardFans Vote via Text Messages; Only College Football Honor Determined by Fan Voting
ATLANTA, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award have been announced after the first week of college football action, and now it's up to fans to determine the winner. Texas Tech University quarterback Graham Harrell, East Carolina University wide receiver T.J. Lee, University of Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and Navy running back Shun White have been selected by ESPN as this week's top candidates, based on the players' outstanding performances over the weekend. Fans can text message VOTE to 51234 on their wireless phone to opt in for the chance to vote.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell threw 43 for 58 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders' 49-24 win over Eastern Washington. East Carolina wide receiver T.J. Lee blocked a punt for the Pirates and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:52 left to play to give them a 27-22 lead and the win upsetting No. 17 Virginia Tech. University of Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin had a 99-yard kickoff return and a 45-yard punt return before leaving the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle in the Tigers' 52-42 victory over No. 20 Illinois. Navy running back Shun White rushed for a school-record 348 yards and scored on runs of 33, 87 and 73 yards to break the record set in 1981 in the Midshipmen's 41-13 victory over Towson.
"These four players have had outstanding games this week," said Tim McGhee, director of corporate sponsorships for AT&T. "They are all deserving candidates for the AT&T Player of the Week Award, and we are proud to give the fans a voice in determining the recipient. Any one of them could win the trophy."
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced during Thursday's ESPN College Football Primetime Presented by Applebee's. Standard text messaging rates apply.
There is no limit on fan voting, and each vote counts as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game in Miami. Full sweepstakes rules can be found at http://www.espnallamerica.com/rules.aspx .
In December, four finalists for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year Award will be announced during a one-hour special on ESPN in conjunction with the announcement of the AT&T ESPN All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year through the BCS. Voting ends at noon ET on Jan. 6, and the winner will be announced during the BCS National Championship game on FOX on Jan. 9.
Additionally, AT&T customers can view video highlights and photos of each week's candidates and track their favorite teams through AT&T's wireless NCAA Football Portal, which is accessible on AT&T handsets by launching AT&T MEdia(TM) Net and clicking through to the sports category. AT&T wireless customers with 3G handsets can also watch "Confessions of a College Football Junkie" video clips featuring Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit by accessing ESPN on AT&T CV.*
Through the AT&T MEdia Mall, fans can also download fight song ringtones from more than 150 college and universities. Animated screensavers and 3-D mobile wallpaper are available for more than 100 college and universities.
*AT&T CV requires a MEdia Max Unlimited or MEdia Net Unlimited bundle. Details on AT&T's MEdia Net bundles and other offers are available at http://www.att.com/wireless .
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