Brittingham Among Final Three for Harlon Hill

FLORENCE, Ala. - Bloomsburg University running back Jamar Brittingham (Levittown/Neshaminy) has advanced to the final round in the race for the 2005 Harlon Hill Trophy. The award that honors the best college football player in Division II has been narrowed down to the final three candidates, Brittingham, East Stroudsburg's Jim Terwilliger and Wesley Beschorner from the University of South Dakota.

Brittingham, Terwilliger and Beschorner emerged as the top three vote-getters from a field of eight national finalists in voting by the sports information directors at the 149 schools that compete in Division II football and the Division II conference sports information directors.

Brittingham is the only sophomore to advance past the initial 26 candidates this year. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Year, he shattered seasonal records in 2005 leading Bloomsburg to its first undefeated season since 1985. He rushed for 2,260 yards and 32 touchdowns, added two receiving touchdowns for 34 total, and scored 204 points, all of which broke school and league records. With two seasons to play, he needs only 16 and 15 touchdowns to break the conference career marks for rushing and overall touchdowns, respectively.

Brittingham finished the season as the leading rusher and scorer in not only Division-II, but all of college football, averaging 188.3 yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry. His 2005 season also places him on several all-time NCAA Division II lists. He is third in scoring for a season and fourth in rush yards per season, while his 17 points per game in 2005 rank him seventh all-time. He also ranks first in NCAA Division II history with 13.6 points per game in his career.

Bloomsburg head coach Danny Hale applauds Brittingham's work ethic and his role as a team player. "Jamar is a gifted young man who's worked extremely hard to be the best he could be. He's unselfish and a true team player," says Hale. "What a great accomplishment for Bloomsburg football. Jamar is certainly deserving of the recognition and the entire team will celebrate with him."

Many of the school and conference records that Brittingham broke this season were records held by 1997 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Irv Sigler, also coached by Hale. Sigler is the only Northeast Region winner in Harlon Hill history but this year, the Northeast Region will be represented by two candidates in the final three in Brittingham and Terwilliger. Beschorner advanced out of the Northwest Region.

Terwilliger, a junior from East Stroudsburg, PA, has set Division II records for career games with at least 300 yards passing (21) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (34). He has completed 203 of 327 passes for 3,676 yards and 39 touchdowns - including nine in one game. He has already topped the 10,000 career passing yard plateau as a junior.

Beschorner, a senior from Lohrville, Iowa, tied or set 29 school records this season and was named North Central Conference Back of the Year. He threw for 39 touchdowns this season, accounted for 3,500 yards of total offense and became just the second quarterback in Division II history to record at least a 215 passing efficiency rating.

The initial Harlon Hill Trophy was won by North Dakota State quarterback Jeff Bentrim in 1986, followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville running back Johnny Bailey - in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

Another North Dakota State quarterback, Chris Simdorn, claimed the 1990 award, followed by Pittsburg State receiver Ronnie West in 1991, Pittsburg State running back Ronald Moore in 1992, New Haven running

back Roger Graham in 1993 and Valdosta State University quarterback Chris Hatcher in 1994. North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first defensive player to win the award when he claimed the Hill Trophy in 1995.

Truman State University running back Jarrett Anderson won the 1996 award and Sigler claimed the Hill Trophy in 1997. Running back Brian Shay of Emporia State won in 1998, followed by Northern Colorado quarterback Corte McGuffey in 1999 and Valdosta State quarterback Dusty Bonner in 2000 and 2001, Grand Valley State quarterback Curt Anes in 2002, North Alabama quarterback Will Hall in 2003 and Colorado School of Mines quarterback Chad Friehauf last season.

The 2005 winner will be announced at the Harlon Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, December 9 in Florence, prior to the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game on Dec. 10, 2005.