Awards Handed Out at Season-Ending Football Banquet
1/27/2008 7:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 27, 2008
GREENBELT, Md. - The University of Maryland football team handed out its end of season awards Sunday afternoon during the annual banquet which was held at Martin's Crosswinds.
The Terps went 6-7 in 2007, reaching their fifth bowl game in the last seven years. They also posted a pair of wins over top-10 teams, one of only four teams in the country to achieve that milestone.
"This year was a microcosm of life," Coach Ralph Friedgen said during the banquet which was attended by nearly 500 players, staff and supporters. "We experienced tremendous disappointment and jubilation."
Despite some ups and downs during the year, which included having 17 players in the two-deep miss at least one game due to injury, Friedgen thanked the 15-member senior class for its perseverance.
"The seniors taught us so much this season," Friedgen said. "We learned things about determination and teamwork in 2007 that will help us in 2008."
The Terps are scheduled to have 14 starters back next season, including nine on offense. Last season's injuries also gave a number of backups valuable experience.
"I'm so excited about the upcoming season, not only because our players are, but also our fans," Friedgen said.
One player who will not be back next season is junior linebacker Erin Henderson who left early to enter his name in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Henderson was one of the Terps' top players the last two seasons and was honored at the banquet with the Ray Krouse Award as the team's most valuable player.
Henderson was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer after finishing ninth in the nation in tackles (11.08 per game).
Lineman Dre Moore was named the defensive MVP and sophomore wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey the offensive MVP.
Moore was also a first-team all-league choice and Heyward-Bey was an honorable mention All-America selection after leading the team in receptions for the second-straight year.
Junior linebacker Dave Philistin was the named the most improved defensive player and sophomore quarterback Chris Turner the most improved offensive player.
Philistin and Turner each took advantage of increased playing time due to injury.
Philistin ended up fourth in the ACC in tackles (9.5 pg) while playing in all 13 games. Turner threw for nearly 2,000 yards despite starting just eight games.
Other awardwinners included senior tight end Joey Haynos for outstanding and conspicuous leadership (A.V. Williams Award) and senior defensive lineman Carlos Feliciano as the unsung hero (Alvin L. Aubinoe Award).
A pair of juniors - left tackle Scott Burley and defensive end Jeremy Navarre - won the James M. Tatum Award as the linemen of the year.
2007 Maryland Football - Postseason Team Awards
Top Special Teams Performer - Obi Egekeze
Freshman of the Year - Adrian Moten
A.V. Williams Award for Outstanding & Conspicuous Sportsmanship - Joey Haynos
George C. Cook Memorial Award for the senior with the highest GPA - Matt Goldberg
Georg Boutselis Memorial Award for letterman with the highest GPA - Dean Muhtadi
Alvin L. Aubinoe Award as the unsung hero - Carlos Feliciano
C.P. "Lefty" McIntosh Public Service Award sponsored by Don & Terry Wilson - Dan Gronkowski
James M. Tatum Award for Lineman of the Year - Jeremy Navarre and Scott Burley
Dr. John E. Faber Award for Iron Man - J.J. Justice
Terrapin Club Award for the greatest career contribution to football - Lance Ball
Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year - Torrey Smith
Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year - Louis Berman
Most Improved Offensive Player - Chris Turner
Most Improved Defensive Player - Dave Philistin
Most Valuable Offensive Player - Darrius Heyward-Bey
Most Valuable Defensive Player - Dre Moore
Ray Krouse Award for Most Valuable Player - Erin Henderson
Distinguished Contributor Award - Carol Harris
Terp Notes:
Moore Justice: Dre Moore and J.J. Justice were the only seniors not in attendance at the banquet. Moore played in yesterday's Under Armour Senior Bowl, while Justice is in El Paso, Texas, prepping for Saturday's Texas vs. the Nation All-Star game. Justice is the last of five seniors to play in postseason all-star games. Keon Lattimore and Joey Haynos played in the Cornerstone Hula Bowl, and Andrew Crummey saw action in the East-West Shrine game.
Signing Day: National signing day for football is set for Wednesday, February 6. Umterps.com will provide up-to-the-minute coverage. Notification of signings will be posted shortly after being received in the football office. Bios and player video will also be posted to umterps.com. Friedgen will address the media at 3 p.m. That video stream will be carried live on Maryland All-Access, similar to the in-season Tuesday news conferences.
Signing Day Celebration: The Maryland Gridiron Network will hold a signing day celebration on campus at the Riggs Alumni Center beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6. The event is open to all Maryland football fans. Click here for more information.
Spring Practice: The Terps are scheduled to open spring practice on Tuesday, March 25, with the annual Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 26.
