For the first time in a decade, the Dudley Award winner is not a Hokie or a’Hoo. He’s a Duke.

JMU senior quarterback Rodney Landers has passed for 21 touchdowns and rushed for 16 more. For the first time in a decade, the Dudley Award winner is not a Hokie or a ‘Hoo. He’s a Duke, and he’s having one of the greatest seasons in the history of college football in this state. SLIDESHOW: 2008 Dudley Award Winner

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing them in shoulder pads and helmets. But tonight, many of the state’s best college football players will be wearing coats and ties for the annual Dudley Award banquet.

A year ago, the Dudley Award went to University of Virginia defensive end Chris Long, a unanimous choice. Who’ll be recognized as the state’s top college football player for 2008? Find out Dec. 11 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, site of the Dudley Award banquet.The Dudley, named after former U.Va. star “Bullet” Bill Dudley, is given annually to the player of the year from state schools that compete in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision or Football Championship Subdivision.