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Moore, Willis Earn Rookie Honors For December

POSTED: 2:18 pm CST January 3, 2008

(Sports Network) - Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis have been selected as the NFL's top rookies for the month of December.

Moore, an undrafted free agent from Oregon State, went 2-1 during the final month of the season, completing 49-of-79 passes for 564 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.

He made his first career start against Seattle in Week 15, leading the Panthers to a 13-10 win by throwing for 208 yards. His 92.8 passer rating was the highest ever by a Carolina rookie in his first start. In the Panthers' season finale at Tampa, Moore passed for a pair of touchdowns to go with a 94.8 rating in a 31-23 win over the playoff-bound Buccaneers.

It is the first time a Panthers rookie has been named tops for any month since defensive end Julius Peppers earned honors in October, 2002. Moore is also the first quarterback to win since Ben Roethlisberger in October, 2004.

Willis registered 69 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery in December. Against Carolina in Week 13, he posted 20 tackles, his second consecutive week with at least 20 stops.

The Ole Miss product came up with a big game in Week 16 against the Buccaneers, making 20 tackles, forcing a fumble and picking up a pair of sacks.

This is the second such honor for Willis this season after he won in October. Dwight Freeney of Indianapolis was the last defensive rookie to win twice in one season back in 2002.


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