Williams Nominated fo Cingular P.O.Week Award

ATLANTA, Ga. (September 17, 2006) Four nominees for the Cingular All-America Player of the Week have been announced after the third weekend of college football action, and the power now rests solely in the hands of the fans to determine a winner.

University of Southern California quarterback John David Booty, University of Florida quarterback Chris Leak, University of Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham, and University of Oregon wide receiver Jaison Williams have been selected by a panel of ESPN college football analysts as this week's top candidates based on their outstanding performances this past weekend. Fans can determine the winner by text messaging VOTE to 87654 on their wireless phone and casting their votes for the nominees.

Booty, making just his second career start, completed 25-of-36 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the No. 4 Trojansâ?T 28-10 win over No. 19 Nebraska. Leak passed for 199 yards and three touchdowns as the seventh-ranked Gators rallied for 14 second half points to upend No. 13 Tennessee, 21-20, in Knoxville. Manningham had four receptions for 137 yards, including three that went for touchdowns, to lead the No. 11 Wolverines to a 47-21 victory at No. 2 Notre Dame, the most points scored against the Fighting Irish at home in 46 years. Williams hauled in nine receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown as the 18th-ranked Ducks staged a thrilling 34-33 comeback win over No. 15 Oklahoma.

Fans have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday to submit their votes. The winner will be announced September 21 during ESPNâ?Ts Thursday Night College Football Game between Georgia Tech and Virginia. Fans can vote as many times as they like, with each vote counting as one entry into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the 2007 BCS National Championship game. The Cingular All-America Player of the Week program will continue throughout the season, with the nominees being revealed each Sunday on the 9 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter and on the Web at www.espnallamerica.com.

Cingular customers can visit Cingular's NCAA Football Portal on their wireless handset to view video highlights of each week's candidates, retrieve photos, check scoreboards, track their favorite teams and download school ringtones.

Rutgers running back Ray Rice and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn have won the Cingular All-America Player of the Week in the first two weeks of the 2006 college football season.

In December, four finalists for the Cingular All-America Player of the Year award will be announced during a one-hour special on ABC Sports. Fans will then get a chance to say who the best player in the nation is by voting for the Cingular All-America Player of the Year up until the Bowl Championship Series. The selection process will culminate during the BCS National Championship game on FOX when the Cingular All-America Player of the Year will be presented.

Last year, University of Texas quarterback Vince Young was crowned as the Cingular All-America Player of the Year, beating out USC teammates Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and University of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. He was the second Longhorn to claim the award, after running back Cedric Benson won the inaugural honor in 2004.