Gardner-Webb's Riddick Named To Hendricks Award Mid-Season Watch List
November 18, 2013 | Football
The Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football's first three-time All-America selection, former University of Miami and Oakland Raiders star Ted Hendricks. It is awarded annually to the nation's top defensive end and student-athletes from all NCAA four-year institutions are eligible for inclusion.
Arizona State's Terrell Suggs won the inaugural award in 2002. Jadaveon Clowney was the Hendricks Award recipient last season.
Riddick (Akron, Ohio / Buchtel HS) is the lone FCS representative on the mid-season watch list. He is the second Gardner-Webb player to earn a spot on the list, joining former Gardner-Webb All-America end Brian Johnston - who earned a spot on the award's preseason watch list in 2007.
The 6-foot-7, 240-pound All-America candidate has enjoyed a stellar season through 11 games, registering 67 total tackles and setting a new Big South single-season record with 8.5 sacks. He ranks second in the nation with 19.0 tackles for loss, and leads the nation in negative yardage recorded with 109. Riddick also has established a new career-high with 17 quarterback pressures.
Riddick has helped Gardner-Webb to 3-1 record against ranked teams in 2013, including a win this past Saturday against #12/13 Charleston Southern by a 27-10 score. In the three wins, Gardner-Webb has allowed only 20 combined points (6.7 per game) and has limited two of those three opponents to less than 20 yards rushing.
In the four games against ranked opponents in 2013, Riddick has totaled 28 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss (minus-52 yards) and 3.5 sacks (minus-27 yards). He also has nine pressures in those four games.
In his second full season as a starter, Riddick has recorded new career-high totals in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. He leads the Big South Conference in sacks and has helped Gardner-Webb perform a tremendous turnaround defensively in 2013.
The Runnin' Bulldogs rank No. 6 nationally in team total defense (296.4 ypg), 21st in rushing defense (121.1 ypg) and 14th in passing defense (175.3 ypg). GWU also ranks No. 8 in third down conversion defense and No. 9 nationally in first downs allowed.
The Hendricks Award watch list will be updated in late November and a winner will be announced on December 11.
Gardner-Webb (6-5, 1-3 Big South) travels to face old rival Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C., on Saturday to close out the 2013 regular season. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm and will air live on WGWG-FM (88.3 / wgwg.org) and the Big South Network.
2013
Hendricks Award Mid-Season Watch List
Vic
Beasley, Clemson
Jadaveon
Clowney, South Carolina
Kasim
Edebali, Boston College
Dee
Ford, Auburn
Martin
Ifedi, Memphis
Demarcus
Lawrence, Boise State
Lorenzo
Mauldin, Louisville
Ryan
Mueller, Kansas State
Cedric
Reed, Texas
Michael
Sam, Missouri
Chris
Smith, Arkansas
Tony
Washington, Oregon
Shilique
Calhoun, Michigan State
Scott
Chrichton, Oregon State
Jayrone
Elliott, Toledo
Randy
Gregory, Nebraska
Jackson
Jeffcoat, Texas
Kareem
Martin, North Carolina
Josh
Mauro, Stanford
Shawn
Oakman, Baylor
Shaquille
Riddick, Gardner-Webb
Marcus
Smith, Louisville
Chidera
Uzo-Diribe, Colorado
Leonard
Williams, USC
