Skip To Main Content

Drake University Athletics

Schedule

Events

Results

Composite Calendar
Will Warner
Chris Donahue

Football Drake Athletic Communications

Warner Named A Buck Buchanan Award Finalist

Junior safety up for award given annually to nation's top defender.

Drake University junior safety Will Warner has been named a finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

Warner, a native of Pella, Iowa, has helped lead one of the nation's top defenses this season while having a record-setting season individually.

The safety is second in the nation in interceptions this season with eight, despite the Bulldogs only playing in 10 games. That total ties the school record and is the most by a Bulldog since 1970.

He returned those interceptions for a total of 223 yards, the highest return yardage total in the nation this season. Warner had a breakout game in the 13-10 win over Marist in which he intercepted a school-record three passes, one of which set up the game-winning field goal and another that ended Marist's last-gasp drive. Warner was named the Pioneer Football League's Defensive Player of the Week for the second time following that game and the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.

On the season, he is fourth on the team in total tackles with 45 and second on the team with 36 solo stops. His efforts helped Drake finish the season ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (18.3 ppg), 13th in total defense (198.3 ypg), sixth in rushing defense (95.1 ypg), eighth in interceptions (16 INT) and seventh in tackles for loss (8.3 TFL/g).

Voting for the Buck Buchanan award is underway by a national panel of more than 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries that will select the winners of the Buck Buchanan, Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson Awards.

All four awards plus the STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be celebrated at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation, scheduled for Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas, on the eve of the national championship game.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Will Warner

#21 Will Warner

DB
6' 3"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Will Warner

#21 Will Warner

6' 3"
Junior
DB