Dec. 8, 2006
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Notre Dame senior tandem of wide receiver Jeff Samardzija and strong safety Tom Zbikowski earned second team All-America honors, announced today by the Walter Camp Football Foundation at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
The award earns Samardzija and Zbikowski a trip to New Haven, Conn., where the official awards will be handed out in at Yale University in January.
Samardzija, a first team All-American in 2005 and Biletnikoff finalist this season, has put together another stellar year in 2006. He leads the Irish with 70 receptions and 958 yards. Samardzija is on the brink of becoming the first Notre Dame player to ever post multiple 1,000 receiving yard seasons. He is just the fourth to ever eclipse the 1,000-yard barrier and first to ever accomplish the feat twice.
Samardzija will close his career as the most decorated Irish wide receiver of all time. He owns the school record in career touchdown catches (26), receiving yards (2,534) and receptions (171).
Zbikowski is in the midst of yet another strong season as he ranks third on Notre Dame’s defense with 69 tackles despite missing one game due to an injury. He has also tallied one tackle for loss, one pass break-up, two quarterback hurries, forced one fumble and returned a fumble 25 yards. Zbikowski has also excelled as a punt returner, returning one punt 52 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina. The touchdown was his third punt return for a score and seventh touchdown in his Notre Dame career.
The Walter Camp All-America team is selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the 119 Division I-A football schools and certified by UHY Advisors, a New Haven-based accounting firm. Walter Camp Football Foundation President Allen Jackson was pleased with the voting participation.
— ND —