The Sports Network Release
 
Bronx, N.Y. (July 10, 2014) – Fordham University senior linebacker Stephen Hodge was named to the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List it was announced today. He joins senior wide receiver Sam Ajala and senior quarterback Mike Nebrich, who were both named to the 2014 Walter Payton Watch List last week, in being nominated for a national player of the year award. With the three nominees, Fordham ties Eastern Washington for the most of any NCAA FCS team.
 
The Buchanan Award, presented to the NCAA FCS' outstanding defensive player, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this season and be presented by The Sports Network at the FCS national awards banquet on Dec. 15. Past recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen (the first Big Sky winner in 2003), Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and Montana State's back- to-back winners Caleb Schreibeis in 2012 and Brad Daly last season.
 
Hodge, a 2013 Beyond Sports Network and College Sports Madness All-American the 2013 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, finished the 2013 season with 124 tackles, 94 solo, including 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries and an interception. He led the nation in solo tackles/game (6.7) and led the Patriot League and was eighth the in country with the five forced fumbles. Hodge helped key Fordham's upset of Temple on Sept. 14 by making 11 tackles with a sack and a forced fumble, and also earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Georgetown (14 tackles, sack) and Holy Cross (15 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 FF). He was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week three times, tying Hodge for the most in League history.
 
Hodge was also named a preseason first team All-America by both The Sports Network and Beyond Sports Network last week.
 
The Buck Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2014 season. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.
 
The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award is bestowed upon the FCS coach of the year.
 
The 2014 FCS Awards package can be found at http://tinyurl.com/n5ysh8x.