Aug. 14, 2002

LAS VEGAS - UNLV defensive end Ahmad Briggs was one of 11 Mountain West Conference players named to the 2002 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, which was released by the Houston-based honor's executive committee Wednesday.

Eligibility for the Lombardi is limited to down linemen and those defenders within five yards of the football.

The official watch list is used as a reference tool for the Rotary Lombardi Selection Committee, which is comprised of nearly 300 members, including all Division-I head coaches, former winners, sportswriters and broadcasters. After 12 semifinalists are selected late in the season, this year's winner will be announced in ceremonies on December 11.

Briggs was added to the list after being voted preseason All-MWC at last month's league media gathering. The senior from Irving, Texas, is the lone returning starter among the Rebel defensive ends and is the team's active quarterback sack leader with 6.5, including two last season. His 26 tackles in 2001 included seven for a loss of 21 yards and he scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 30-yard fumble return at Arizona.