CULVER CITY, CALIF. (Sept. 21, 2010) - Roger Craig, a 33-year-old graduate student at the University of Delaware, has earned a prominent place in "Jeopardy!" history by amassing a seven-day total of $231,200 in cash winnings.  Craig is now the third highest winning contestant on the quiz show (excluding tournaments), right behind all-time "Jeopardy!" champ Ken Jennings ($2,520,700) and David Madden ($430,400).  Craig also earned the highest one-day total during his second game, beating a record held by Jennings for more than six years.

"I had no idea that I became the third highest winner until Alex Trebek announced it.  I was totally shocked," Craig said in an interview following his final match.  "It obviously helped by having set the highest single game record and by my large Daily Double bets."

Craig said one of the biggest surprises was that he didn't feel nervous playing in front of a live studio audience.  "I had expected to be jittery, but I wasn't at all," he said.  "I think I was most nervous the first time I saw the stage during a rehearsal.  It feels like you've just stepped into your television set."

A native of Newark, Del., Craig will earn a Ph.D. in computer science this fall.  He plans to use the money to pay off school loans, buy a new car, travel and donate to charity.  He also plans to expand his restaurant options.  "I eat a lot of Ramen and pasta so I'm hoping to treat myself to sushi more often," he said jokingly. "I think I'm going to take a lot of people out to dinner now!"

When asked about his success on "Jeopardy!," Craig said, "My mother taught me how to read and encouraged my passion for learning.  I'm also very grateful to every teacher I've had -- from kindergarten to grad school."

"Jeopardy!," the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. "Jeopardy!" is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp. 

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