Terps Close 2008 Football Season with Awards Banquet
1/25/2009 7:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 25, 2009
GREENBELT, Md. - The University of Maryland officially capped the 2008 football season Sunday at Martin's Crosswinds with its annual awards banquet.
The Terps are coming off an 8-5 campaign which ended last month with a 42-35 win over Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl, the sixth postseason appearance, and fourth bowl victory, in Ralph Friedgen's eight seasons as head coach.
The banquet was not only a celebration of the 2008 season, but also a farewell to 30 seniors, the most in the Friedgen era.
"We have a lot of great kids in this senior class," Friedgen said at the conclusion of the banquet. "They worked extremely hard during their time here and showed great perseverance. Now they are ready to go off and be productive members of society."
Two of the seniors - Jeremy Navarre and Edwin Williams - headlined the award recipients.
Navarre, an honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference performer, earned the Ray Krouse Award as the team's most valuable player and for the second straight season secured the James M. Tatum Award as the top defensive lineman.
Williams, a first-team all-league honoree, hauled in the Tatum Award as the top offensive lineman and the Terrapin Award for the greatest career contribution to the Maryland football program.
Junior wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who surrendered his final year of eligibility to enter the 2009 NFL Draft, was named the offensive most valuable player for the second straight year, while sophomore linebacker Alex Wujciak, the second-leading tackler in the ACC and a second-team all-conference performer, was the team's defensive MVP.
Other award winners included wide receiver Torrey Smith (freshman of the year), running back Da'Rel Scott (most improved offensive player) and defensive back Jamari McCollough (most improved defensive player).
In addition, tight end Dan Gronkowski took home both the A.V. Williams Award for outstanding and conspicuous sportsmanship, and the George Boutselis Memorial Award for the letterman with the highest grade point average.
A complete award list is below.
2008 Maryland Football - Postseason Team Awards
Top Special Teams Performer - Travis Baltz
Freshman of the Year - Torrey Smith
A.V. Williams Award for Outstanding & Conspicuous Sportsmanship - Dan Gronkowski
George C. Cook Memorial Award for the senior with the highest GPA - Dean Muhtadi
George Boutselis Memorial Award for letterman with the highest GPA - Dan Gronkowski
Alvin L. Aubinoe Award as the unsung hero - Andrew Schmitt (special teams), Cory Jackson (offense), Jeff Allen (defense)
C.P. "Lefty" McIntosh Public Service Award sponsored by Don & Terry Wilson - Jordan Steffy
James M. Tatum Award for Lineman of the Year - Jeremy Navarre (defensive) and Edwin Williams (offensive)
Dr. John E. Faber Award for Iron Man - Jack Griffin
Terrapin Club Award for the greatest career contribution to football - Edwin Williams
Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year - Jamarr Robinson
Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year - Hakeem Sule
Most Improved Offensive Player - Da'Rel Scott
Most Improved Defensive Player - Jamari McCollough
Most Valuable Offensive Player - Darrius Heyward-Bey
Most Valuable Defensive Player - Alex Wujciak
Ray Krouse Award for Most Valuable Player - Jeremy Navarre
Distinguished Contributor Award - Tom McCausland
Maryland Football Fan of the Year - Joel Ryerson
Terp Notes:
Signing Day: The Terps will announce their 2009 signing class on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Friedgen will hold a news conference at 3 p.m. in the Gossett Team House. Later that day, the Maryland Gridiron Network will serve as host to a Signing Day Celebration in the Riggs Alumni Center. The event runs from 5-8 p.m. and is open to all Maryland football fans. Click here for more information.
