NFL 2000

1. Ray Lewis: Was the Super Bowl MVP.

He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, consensus All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.

In the “Big Game”, Lewis had five tackles and four pass break ups.

During the postseason, in four games he had 31 tackles, two Interceptions, and nine pass break ups.

In the regular season Lewis posted 137 stops along with 3 sacks, 2 Ints, and recovered 3 fumbles.

Lewis helped clinch the Ravens’ divisional round upset on the road in Tennessee. It was his 4^th quarter pick six that put Baltimore in the AFC title game.

Behind the play of the their star middle linebacker, the Ravens set league records for the least amount points and rushing yards allowed in a 16 game schedule.

They had four shutouts and allowed just 16 offensive points in four playoff games.

Baltimore went 12-4, earned a wild card, and won their first ever Super Bowl.

2. Marshall Faulk: Was the NFL MVP.

He was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

Despite missing two games to injury, he set the single season record with 26 total TDs.

Marshall ran for 1359 yards and league high 5.4 yards per carry.

Faulk added 81 catches and 830 yards and 8 TDs.

He finished 2^nd with 2,189 yards from scrimmage. He led the NFL in total points with 160, a rarity for position players.

He had two 200+ rushing games and scored at least four TDs in three other games.

In the playoffs, Faulk helped the Rams rally from down 31-7 in the second half with 99 yards receiving, a TD and two point conversion.

Their comeback would come up short, and the Saints would win 31-28.

The Rams went 10-6, won a wild card spot, while setting an NFL record with 540 points in a season (33.8 per game).

3. Edgerrin James: Led in the NFL in rushing for the second straight year with 1,709 yards.

James also led the league with 2303 yards from scrimmage.

He added 63 receptions and 5 TDs

James was 1^st team All-NFL by Pro Football Weekly and Sporting News and 2^nd team by the AP

He was a Pro Bowler.

Edge was second in the NFL with 18 total TDs. and carries with 387.

He had three straight 100 yard games (all Colts wins) to finish the season and propel the Colts to the playoffs. He had nine games over 100 on the season.

In the Wild Card round vs. Miami, James ran for 107 and had 33 yards thru the air.

Indy was 10-6 and 4^th in the NFL with 26.8 PPG.

College Football 2000

1. Drew Brees: Won Maxwell Award as top player in the NCAA.

            He was 3^rd in Heisman voting and was a finalist for the second straight season. He won the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Brees led the nation in total offense with 358.1 yards per game.

The Purdue quarterback led the Big Ten yards, TDs, comp. % (60.5) and completions.

He threw for 3393 yards and 24 TDs. Brees also ran for 546 yards (6.0 YPC) and 5 TDs.

Against #11 Michigan he threw for 286 yards and 2 scores and ran for 80 more. The next week he threw for five TDs vs. Northwestern.

He helped Purdue upset then #3 Ohio St. on this touchdown pass.

In the Rose Bowl vs. #3 Washington he threw for 275 yards. His two TD passes helped the Boilermakers tie the game at 17 in the 3^rd quarter. 

Washington would go on to win 34-24.

Purdue won the Big 10 and was 8-3 in the regular season. They finished #13 in the final 

polls.

2. Dan Morgan: Was national defensive player of the year. He won the Nagurski, and Bednarik awards. He was named top linebacker and won the Butkus award.

 Morgan was also a consensus 1^st team All American, and Big East defensive POY.

He compiled 138 total tackles in including 90 solo tackles, 4 sacks and 2 Ints.

The Canes captain tallied 20 tackles vs. #3 Washington, Miami’s only loss.

Morgan controlled then #1 FSU with 13 tackles, an Int and forced fumble.

In the Sugar Bowl vs. #10 Florida, he made 12 stops and had a goal line pick to seal a 37-20 victory.

Miami finished #2 in the final polls and 11-1. They missed out at a chance for the national title by 

finishing #3 in the BCS standings, despite beating #2 Florida St. in regular season.

3. Marques Tuiasosopo: Was the Rose Bowl MVP and led Washington past Purdue.

In the granddaddy of them all, he ran for 90 yards and TD on just 15 carries and threw for another TD in 34-24 win.

He was also named Pac-10 offensive POY, a finalist for QB of the year and 8^th in the Heisman voting.

    

                

Tuiasosopo threw for 2146 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 6 TDs.

He threw for 231 yards TD ran for 45 and TD in 34-29 upset of #2 Miami.

The Huskies QB passed for 223 yards, and had a TD running and passing in 33-30 win over #4 Oregon St.

Washington was 11-1, were Pac-10 champs and finished #3, its highest ranking in nine years.