Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Lindsey named finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
11/22/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 22, 2010
By Jason Clay
SIUSalukis.com
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Southern Illinois senior cornerback Korey Lindsey is one of 20 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, honoring the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS, as was announced Monday by The Sports Network in conjunction with sponsor Fathead.com.
Ballots for the Buchanan award - as well as the Payton and Eddie Robinson Awards that honor the most outstanding player and the FCS coach of the year, respectively - were sent to a panel of nearly 175 sports information directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries on Monday.
All three award winners will be announced at the national awards banquet on Thursday, Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas - the night before the national championship game.
Lindsey led the Saluki defense and secondary that was depleted with injuries in 2010. Despite losing four starters in the defensive backfield to injuries that ended their seasons, Lindsey guided the Saluki defense that led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in total defense by allowing just 332.1 yards per game.
The Saluki secondary allowed 178.8 passing yards per game, which ranked second in the MVFC.
Lindsey, a team captain, tied for third in the MVFC with seven pass breakups. He had 41 tackles on the year, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and one quarterback hurry.
The native of Baton Rouge, La., was named the top cornerback in the FCS by Phil Steele entering his senior season. He was named a first team Preseason All-American by four different media outlets and the Sporting News tabbed him as the top defensive player in the MVFC entering the year.
A two-time All-American (third team in 2008; first team in 2009), Lindsey finished his career with 14 interceptions. That number ranks No. 3 in school history and he also tied for ninth with 16 pass breakups.
He had 162 tackles in four years with six tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and a half sack. Lindsey started in 36 consecutive games to close out his career.
Lindsey becomes SIU's third finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which inaugurated in 1995. Linebacker Brandin Jordan finished ninth in the 2009 voting and defensive back Alexis Moreland finished 16th in 2003.
