From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
Senior defensive end Brian Khoury (Davenport, Iowa/Bettendorf) of the Carnegie Mellon University football team has been named a national finalist for the 2016 Cliff Harris Award, which is presented to the top small college defensive player in the nation. The finalist list was announced Friday afternoon and this marks Khoury's second straight season as a finalist.
The Cliff Harris Award is presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and Wright Lindsey & Jennings, LLP and is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities.
Khoury, an All-South Region third team selection by D3football.com, led the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) and University Athletic Association (UAA) while ranking fifth nationally with 12.5 sacks. The first team All-PAC, UAA Defensive Player of the Year and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South First Team member, became the school's all-time sack leader this season as he finished his career with 29.5 sacks. Khoury totaled 16.0 tackles for a loss of 90 yards and ended the season with 55 total tackles, 31 solo, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Khoury also is competing in two postseason contests. His first was on December 4 in the National Bowl at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida. His second will be tomorrow in the D3 Senior Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Cliff Harris Award winner will be announced on December 24 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet on January 19, 2017 featuring guest speaker Archie Manning. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris. In addition to the overall winner, the top vote getters from each division will also be announced.