Jan. 28, 2007

GREENBELT, MD. - The University of Maryland football team handed out its season-ending awards Sunday at the annual banquet which was held at Martin's Crossing.

The Terps celebrated their 9-4 season, which included a five-game winning streak during Atlantic Coast Conference play and a victory in the Champs Sports Bowl. That win gave Maryland its school record third-straight bowl victory.

"This was one of the most hard-fought seasons we've had (at Maryland), but one of the most rewarding," head coach Ralph Friedgen said during the ceremony which was attended by over 500 players, staff and supporters. "If you keep working, it's amazing what you can accomplish."

After starting the season 3-2, the Terps ended up one win away from an appearance in the ACC title game. Much of the success can be attributed to the 13-member senior class which went 40-21 over the last five seasons.

Senior cornerback Josh Wilson earned the Ray Krouse Award as the team's most valuable player, while linebacker Wesley Jefferson was the defensive MVP and senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach the offensive MVP.

Wilson was an honorable mention All-America choice and second-team All-ACC selection this season. He also earned the Jim Tatum Award as the top senior football student-athlete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wilson played in the Under Armour Senior Bowl yesterday, along with punter Adam Podlesh, posting one pass breakup and a fumble recovery

Jefferson ranked second on the team and sixth in the ACC in tackles (8.5 pg/110) and had a team-high 10 tackles for loss.

Hollenbach, an honorable mention All-ACC performer, became the fourth QB in school history to throw for over 5,000 career yards (5,139) and ranks third in Terps history in completion percentage (61.4).

Hollenbach has also seen action in a postseason all-star game, playing in the Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic earlier this month. He will also compete in the Texas vs. the Nation game Friday.

Senior linebacker David Holloway, the third-leading tackler on the team (70) this season, earned the Alvin L. Aubinoe Award as the team's unsung hero. He also won the Dr. John E. Faber Award as the squad's ironman. He played in every game the last three seasons, starting all but one.

Other award winners included junior tight end Joey Haynos as the most improved offensive player and senior defensive back Marcus Wimbush as the most improved on the defensive side of the ball. Haynos was the second-leading receiver (37) and earned honorable mention all-league honors in 2006.

Senior left tackle Stephon Heyer and junior defensive tackle Dre Moore won the James M. Tatum Award as the linemen of the year.

Heyer was a three-year starter and All-ACC performer this season.

2006 Maryland Football - Postseason Team Awards

Top Special Teams Performer - Dan Ennis
Freshman of the Year - Darrius Heyward-Bey
A.V. Williams Award for Outstanding & Conspicuous Sportsmanship - Josh Allen
George C. Cook Memorial Award for the senior with the highest GPA - Greg Powell
Georg Boutselis Memorial Award for letterman with the highest GPA - Dan Gronkowski
Alvin L. Aubinoe Award for unsung hero - David Holloway
C.P. "Lefty" McIntosh Public Service Award sponsored by Don & Terry Wilson - Wesley Jefferson
James M. Tatum Award for Lineman of the Year - Stephon Heyer and Dre Moore
Dr. John E. Faber Award for Iron Man - David Holloway
Terrapin Club Award for the greatest career contribution to football - Adam Podlesh
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year - Josh Portis
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year - T.D. Callahan
Defensive Most Improved - Marcus Wimbush
Offensive Most Improved - Joey Haynos
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Wesley Jefferson
Offensive Most Valuable Player - Sam Hollenbach
Ray Krouse Award for Team Most Valuable Player - Josh Wilson