Temple University Athletics
Photo by: JS Garber
Football's Hennessy Named to Rimington Award Watch List
7.19.19 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Temple graduate offensive lineman Matt Hennessy was named to the 2019 Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List. This is Hennessy's third time being named to the watch list that honors the best center in the country.
Hennessy has been a two year starter and an anchor in the middle of Temple' offensive line. He has started all 23 games in which he played over the past two seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Hennessy was the highest graded center in FBS football in 2018 for those playing at least 475 snaps. He allowed zero sacks and zero QB hits, and just two hurries in 738 snaps.
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 A perfect blend of size, strength and intelligence, Hennessy leads the offensive line by making all the protection calls. Originally recruited by Harvard, he earned a degree in finance in just three years and is currently working towards his master's degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship. The Bardonia, N.Y., native attended Don Bosco Prep.
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The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the eighteen-year old award has raised over $3.6 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
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Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
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The Rimington Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit NCFAA.org to learn more about the association. Â
Hennessy joins Temple LB Shaun Bradley (Bednarik Award), QB Anthony Russo (Maxwell Award), and TE Kenny Yeboah (Mackey Award) as Owls who have earned Watch List selections in 2019.
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Hennessy has been a two year starter and an anchor in the middle of Temple' offensive line. He has started all 23 games in which he played over the past two seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Hennessy was the highest graded center in FBS football in 2018 for those playing at least 475 snaps. He allowed zero sacks and zero QB hits, and just two hurries in 738 snaps.
Â
 A perfect blend of size, strength and intelligence, Hennessy leads the offensive line by making all the protection calls. Originally recruited by Harvard, he earned a degree in finance in just three years and is currently working towards his master's degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship. The Bardonia, N.Y., native attended Don Bosco Prep.
Â
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the eighteen-year old award has raised over $3.6 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Â
Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
Â
The Rimington Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit NCFAA.org to learn more about the association. Â
Hennessy joins Temple LB Shaun Bradley (Bednarik Award), QB Anthony Russo (Maxwell Award), and TE Kenny Yeboah (Mackey Award) as Owls who have earned Watch List selections in 2019.
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