TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati freshman Zeiqui Lawton (Charleston, W.Va./South Charleston), pronounced zah-kee, is one of nominees for the USA Today National Football Player of the Year Award on defense.
Lawton, a defensive lineman who enrolled at UC this summer, was the defensive player of the year honoree in West Virginia, joining teammate Jack Dingle, who took the honor for Kentucky. The USA TODAY High School Sports Award, presented by U.S. Polo Assn., are in their first year. The award winners in 27 sports will be announced on August 5.
Lawton played for the Class AAA State Champions in 2020, leading the Black Eagles in tackles and setting the school's career mark for sacks during a 6-0 season. The West Virginia Sports Writers named him as the Sam Huff Award winner as the top defensive player in the state.
He had 48 tackles as a prep senior, 42 of which were solo stops. He also tallied 19 tackles for a loss, 19 quarterback hurries and 10 sacks. The disruptive defender started in all 34 career games at South Charleston and had a school-record 35 sacks.
Cincinnati opens the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, against Miami (OH) in the 125th Battle for the Victory Bell at 3:30 p.m. ET inside Nippert Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and fans are encouraged to sign up for the digital platform online.
Visit the football tickets page to reserve your season tickets now!
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati finished 9-1 in 2020, winning the American Athletic Conference Championship and playing in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a New Year's Six Bowl. The Bearcats return 16 starters from last season's squad, including 2020 AAC Player of the Year Desmond Ridder and seven-time All-America selection Ahmad Gardner along with All-AAC selections Darrian Beavers, Marcus Brown, Coby Bryant, Myjai Sanders, Tre Tucker, Josh Whyle and Michael Young Jr. The 2021 roster projects to have nearly 40 local players who grew up and played high-school football in the tri-state area.
BUY TICKETS NOW • SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+
FILL-IT-UP FRIDAYS
New season ticket holders who make their purchases on a Friday between 9 a.m. and noon ET will be entered in a drawing to win various Bearcats prizes. Fans should follow @GoBEARCATS on social media and tune in each Thursday this summer for weekly prize announcements.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Lawton, a defensive lineman who enrolled at UC this summer, was the defensive player of the year honoree in West Virginia, joining teammate Jack Dingle, who took the honor for Kentucky. The USA TODAY High School Sports Award, presented by U.S. Polo Assn., are in their first year. The award winners in 27 sports will be announced on August 5.
Lawton played for the Class AAA State Champions in 2020, leading the Black Eagles in tackles and setting the school's career mark for sacks during a 6-0 season. The West Virginia Sports Writers named him as the Sam Huff Award winner as the top defensive player in the state.
He had 48 tackles as a prep senior, 42 of which were solo stops. He also tallied 19 tackles for a loss, 19 quarterback hurries and 10 sacks. The disruptive defender started in all 34 career games at South Charleston and had a school-record 35 sacks.
Cincinnati opens the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, against Miami (OH) in the 125th Battle for the Victory Bell at 3:30 p.m. ET inside Nippert Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and fans are encouraged to sign up for the digital platform online.
Visit the football tickets page to reserve your season tickets now!
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati finished 9-1 in 2020, winning the American Athletic Conference Championship and playing in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a New Year's Six Bowl. The Bearcats return 16 starters from last season's squad, including 2020 AAC Player of the Year Desmond Ridder and seven-time All-America selection Ahmad Gardner along with All-AAC selections Darrian Beavers, Marcus Brown, Coby Bryant, Myjai Sanders, Tre Tucker, Josh Whyle and Michael Young Jr. The 2021 roster projects to have nearly 40 local players who grew up and played high-school football in the tri-state area.
BUY TICKETS NOW • SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+
FILL-IT-UP FRIDAYS
New season ticket holders who make their purchases on a Friday between 9 a.m. and noon ET will be entered in a drawing to win various Bearcats prizes. Fans should follow @GoBEARCATS on social media and tune in each Thursday this summer for weekly prize announcements.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati football, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati football (@GoBearcatsFB) and Coach Fickell (@CoachFick) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.