BYU's Kyle Van Noy earns CFPA Defensive Performer of the Year Trophy

PROVO, Utah -- College Football Performance Awards has named BYU All-American linebacker Kyle Van Noy the 2012 CFPA Defensive Performer of the Year.

"After an extensive review of the existing data, literature, and evidence, it has been determined that Kyle Van Noy was responsible for the most overall defensive success in Division I FBS college football," said Bradley C. Smith, Executive Director of the College Football Performance Awards. "As a result, Kyle's performance satisfies the strict criteria CFPA established for annual recognition."

The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

In addition to earning the Defensive Performer of the Year Trophy, Van Noy was previously honored with the 2012 CFPA Linebacker Trophy, becoming the second Cougar to earn national CFPA individual honors, following 2009 tight end recipient Dennis Pitta.

A 6-foot-3, 235-pound outside linebacker from Reno, Nev., Van Noy earned 2012 All-America honors helping BYU achieve the nation's No. 2 rushing defense (86.92 yards allowed), No. 3 total defense (266.1 yards allowed),  No, 3 scoring defense (14.0 points allowed) and No. 10 passing defense (179.2 yards allowed). Individually, Van Noy finished the year ranked tied for No. 2 nationally in both sacks (13) and forced fumbles (6), while also ranking No. 4 in tackles for loss (22) and tied for seventh in blocked kicks (2).

Van Noy led BYU with 13 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries, a school record six forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. He totaled 53 tackles while adding five pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and two touchdowns to become the only player in the nation to record a stat in every major defensive category each of the last two seasons.

A 2012 All-Bowl Team selection, Van Noy also had what many consider the best defensive performance of the bowl season, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of BYU's Poinsettia Bowl victory to help the Cougars claim their fourth straight bowl victory and sixth postseason win in eight consecutive appearances under head coach Bronco Mendenhall. BYU is one of only seven programs to win six bowls in the last eight years and one of just four teams to win each of the past four seasons.

Van Noy will return to BYU for his senior season in 2013 as the independent Cougars prepare to face a schedule that includes 2012 bowl teams Notre Dame, Texas, Boise State, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech and Utah State.

"It's a great honor to be recognized with this award," Van Noy said. "I'm really looking forward to getting back on the field with my BYU teammates for my senior season."

CFPA: http://www.collegefootballperformance.com
Trophy Winners: http://collegefootballperformance.com/trophy-winners/
PRWeb Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10305630.htm