Jan. 3, 2002

VILLANOVA, PA. - On Thursday, Jan. 3, Villanova senior running back Brian Westbrook and senior offensive lineman Eamonn Allen received first team All-America honors by the Associated Press. Westbrook earned first team accolades as an all-purpose player, while Allen became the first Wildcat lineman since 1989 and the third overall since Villanova reinstated football in 1985 to take home All-America status.

It has been a memorable season for Westbrook, who is piling up the postseason honors. On Thursday, Dec. 20, he won the Walter Payton Award given annually to the National Offensive Player of the Year in NCAA I-AA football. Westbrook became the second player from Villanova to win the award. In 1997, former Wildcat and current Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran garnered the award.

In 11 games in 2001, Westbrook led all of NCAA I-AA in both All-purpose yards with 2,823 and scoring with 176 points (29 TDs). The 5-9, 205 pound Westbrook rushed 249 times for 1,603 yards and 22 scores, caught 59 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns, returned 17 kickoffs for 440 yards and a score, in addition to returning 12 punts for 90 yards during the 2001 campaign. In Villanova's season finale at William & Mary on Nov. 24, Westbrook set the NCAA All-Divisions career all-purpose yards record with 9,512 yards in 44 regular season games.

The most decorated player in school history, Westbrook finishes his Wildcat career with 41 school records, 19 Atlantic 10 Conference marks and five NCAA records. Earlier this week, Westbrook became the first player in the history of Villanova football to earn first team All-American honors in three different seasons, when he earned first team All-American acclaim from both The Sports Network and the AFCA. As a sophomore in 1998, Westbrook became the only player in the history of college football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Westbrook is scheduled to play in both the Senior Bowl on Saturday, January 26 and the Hula Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 3.

A three-year starter, Allen anchored the Villanova offensive line that helped the high-powered Villanova offense average 36.5 points per game, including 174.9 rushing yards per contest. A native of Granada, California, the 6-5, 285 pound Allen started all 11 games in 2001 at offensive tackle.