Goddard ranks fourth in the nation with five interceptions, including one returned for 51 yards for a touchdown against Boston College. Goddard also has 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for losses, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
Goddard has been involved in two game-changing plays this season. He picked off a pass on the final play of the game in the end zone at Miami to secure a 28-24 victory and recovered a fumble on Notre Dame’s final play in a 29-24 win over the Irish.
The award, named after Oklahoma born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back who best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists on Monday, November 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Thursday, December 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 11, 2009.
2008 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia
Eric Berry, So., Tennessee
Emanuel Cook, Jr., South Carolina
Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois
Trimane Goddard, Sr., North Carolina
Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State
Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky
Taylor Mays, Jr., Southern California
Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati
D.J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt
William Moore, Sr., Missouri
Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest
Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State.