Temple University Athletics
DAN KLECKO NAMED BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR; CAP POKLEMBA CAPTURES SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
12.10.02 | Football
Klecko (6-1, 280) led the Big East in both sacks (10, 0.91 per game) and tackles-for-loss (22.5, 2.05 per game) and placed 11th and fourth, respectively, in those categories nationally. In 11 games, he made 68 tackles (46 solo), 21 quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles. Klecko, a team captain who entered the season as the only unanimous All-Big East selection in Temple history, now becomes the first Owl to win a major Big East award.
Previous Big East Defensive Players of the Year include Edward Reed (Miami, 2001), Dan Morgan (Miami, 2000), Corey Moore (Virginia Tech, 1998-99), Donovin Darius (Syracuse, 1997), Warren Sapp (Miami, 1994), Michael Barrow (Miami, 1992) and Darrin Smith (Miami, 1991).
Players to earn unanimous, All-Big East First Team honors multiple times are Klecko (2001-02), Ken Dorsey (QB, Miami, 2001-02), Dwight Freeney (DE, Syracuse, 2000-01), Corey Moore (DE, Virginia Tech, 1998-99), Donovin Darius (DB, Syracuse, 1996-97), Donovan McNabb (QB, Syracuse, 1995 and 1998), Pete Mitchell (TE, Boston College, 1993-94) and Stephen Boyd (LB, Boston College, 1993-94).
Poklemba (5-11, 180) led the Big East Conference in field goal percentage (14-20, 70.0 pct.) while placing second in overall field goals with an average of 1.17 per game. He set the conference record and tied the Temple mark by connecting on five field goal attempts at Pittsburgh on November 9. Poklemba led the team in scoring with 64 points (14 FGs, 22 PATs) and concluded his career ranked fourth on Temple's all-time scoring chart with 190 points.
