Awards Handed Out at Annual Banquet
1/31/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 31, 2010
GREENBELT, Md. - The University of Maryland officially capped the 2009 football season Sunday afternoon at Martin's Crosswinds with its annual banquet.
The Terps said goodbye to their 14-member senior class, the smallest in head coach Ralph Friedgen's tenure, and handed out individual awards.
"The banquet marks the end of one year and a chance to give thanks to the seniors, but it also signals the beginning of the next season," Friedgen said to the crowd. "Last year was one for our team to grow and I applaud them for their diligence and work ethic, but the time for finishing is now. There are lessons in losing, but more lessons in winning. I'm looking forward to getting started for next season."
Two players who are expected to be cornerstones of the 2010 team are Torrey Smith and Alex Wujciak.
Smith earned the top offensive player award, as well as team MVP honors, while Wujciak was named the defensive MVP for the second consecutive year.
Wujciak, the second-leading tackler in the league (131), was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and Smith, who shot his way up the Maryland career receiving and kick return charts in 2009, earned a spot on the second team.
Jamarr Robinson, who started two games at quarterback for an injured Chris Turner, was tabbed the most improved offensive player. Cameron Chism, who took over for starting cornerback Nolan Carroll in the second game of the season, was the most improved defensive player.
Nick Ferrara, who was voted a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), was the top special teams performer.
Maryland sideline reporter Tim Strachan served as master of ceremonies for the event.
A complete award list is below.
