June 3, 2004

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern junior defensive end Loren Howard (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) is one of 37 players nationally who has been named to the preseason watch list for the third annual Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. He is one of only 15 underclassmen appearing on the preseason list.

The criteria for the Hendricks Award include on-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community. The candidates, who may represent any class from any recognized four-year NCAA member school, must primarily play defensive end.

Howard, an honorable mention all-Big Ten selection as a sophomore, led the 2003 Wildcats in pass sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (16). In his two years at Northwestern, Howard has totaled 29.5 TFL's, the seventh-most in NU history. He has started all 25 career games.

Howard is one of four Big Ten players named to the watch list, joining seniors Matt Roth (Iowa), Simon Fraser (Ohio State) and Cliff Dukes (Michigan State).