Huskers' Fonoti Outland finalist

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kahuku High graduate Toniu Fonoti of Nebraska yesterday was named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which honors the best interior lineman in college football.

The other finalists are Bryant McKinnie of Miami and 2000 Outland Trophy winner John Henderson of Tennessee.

The winner, to be chosen by the Football Writers Association of America All-America committee, will be announced Dec. 6 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla.

Fonoti, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound offensive left guard from Hau'ula, set Nebraska's single-season record with 201 pancake blocks (16.8 per game) this season. A pancake block is one in which the defender is knocked off his feet.

Fonoti, a junior, has helped the Huskers (11-1) average a national-best 314.7 yards per game rushing and was chosen first-team All-American by Football News. He set Nebraska's single-game pancake record with 32 against Texas Tech Oct. 20.

Fonoti has not allowed a sack or committed a penalty all season, according to Nebraska spokesman Shamus McKnight.

Fonoti's 201 pancakes this season shattered his own school record of 155 set last season.