Virginia senior defensive end Chris Long was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year yesterday. Of the 71 votes cast for the award, Long received 69. Maryland junior Erin Henderson and Georgia Tech redshirt senior Philip Wheeler each received one vote.
"It's very rewarding, but at the same time, what's rewarding is to do it on a team full of great guys," Long said. "I'm just happy to represent the University of Virginia."
One of the country's most outstanding defensive players, Long led the ACC in sacks with 13.5 (1.12/g) and tackles for loss with 18.5 (1.54/g). He also led ACC defensive linemen with 6.2 tackles per game. The senior was the only unanimous selection on the 2007 All-ACC first team.
"I just wanted to get my sack numbers up because that would mean I would be making a lot of plays that I was missing and hurting our defense last year," Long said. "So I just threw a number out there, and it's fallen kind of close to it. I was hoping to maybe get [about] 15."
Long is a national finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year award.
"Anything that happens from here on out -- it's unreal to me," Long said. "It's been a wild ride and a great four years. To go out with a solid senior season, it just means a lot to me. The way we've played this year just makes it all the more gratifying."
Long has made key plays in many of Virginia's close victories this season. Against North Carolina, Long intercepted a pass and returned the ball 25 yards to set up a game-winning field goal and a 22-20 win. At Middle Tennessee State, Long blocked a field goal, enabling Virginia to win 23-21. Against Maryland, Long picked up a safety, and Virginia went on to win 18-17. Long recalls the sack as his most memorable play of the season.
"To put points on the board for your team feels good," Long said. "And to hit that guy like I did felt good."
Most recently, he sacked Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Glennon forcing him to fumble in the second half of Virginia's loss to the Hokies Saturday.
Long is the second Cavalier to win the award. Current running backs coach Anthony Poindexter won the award as a safety in 1998. Long is the ninth Cavalier to be named a conference player of the year.
-- compiled by Eric Kolenich
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