FWAA Michigan News

OMAHA (FWAA) – A center on the nation’s fifth-best rushing offense and national title contender, the highest-graded offensive tackle throughout the season and one of the nation’s top pass rushing threats are the three finalists for the 2022 Outland Trophy by the Football Writers Association of America. Calijah Kancey of Pitt, a defensive tackle with 14.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks; Olusegun Oluwatimi, a center who has helped guide Michigan to consecutive Big Ten East division titles, and Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, a perennial Big Ten stalwart and pro scout favorite, are this season’s superior linemen.

The Michigan Wolverines beat arch-rival Ohio State on the road for the first time since 2000 with a 45-23 win in Columbus. In outscoring the Buckeyes 28-3 in the second half and take the Big Ten East Division title for a second consecutive season, Michigan (12-0) earned the Cheez-It Bowl National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Nov. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Seven semifinalists for the 77th Outland Trophy – five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles – were announced Wednesday by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. The seven come from different schools within four separate conferences – the Big Ten has four of the seven – and represent all four positions eligible for the award.

For advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time the Wolverines are the Cheez-It Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Nov. 27, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.