Graddy Selected to play in Hula Bowl
11/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2003
Air Force senior linebacker Marchello Graddy has been selected to play in the 2004 Hula Bowl game in January in Maui, according to head coach Fisher DeBerry. Graddy is the 33rd Falcon to be selected for the post-season all-star game. His selection marks the eighth consecutive year that Air Force has been represented in the game. Last year, halfback Leotis Palmer was selected.
Graddy ranks second in the conference in tackles with a 9.9 average. He lead the league in sacks with 6.0 for 42 yards and is sixth in tackles for loss with 10 for 64 yards. Graddy recorded a team-high 11 tackles last week at New Mexico. He also had a sack and a half tackle for loss.
Graddy recorded 12 total tackles, two sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss against UNLV to earn MWC defensive player of the week honors. He recorded a career-high 18 tackles at Navy earlier this season which is the most by a player in the conference this season. His 18 stops is also the most by a Falcon since Anthony Schlegel had 19 vs. Notre Dame last season. Graddy has recorded 10 or more tackles six times this season, including five of the last eight games.
Graddy has turned recovering fumbles into an art form. He tied a school record against Army with three fumble recoveries. He has five this season which is one shy of the school record of six set in 1978 by Tom Foertsch and Clay Rumph. Graddy has nine fumble recoveries for his career which ties an Academy record.
Air Force is 7-4 overall and in third place in the conference with a 3-3 mark. The Falcons conclude the regular season this week at San Diego State on Saturday, Nov. 22.
