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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU FOOTBALL TEAM PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS
1/16/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
HARRISONBURG, Va., Jan. 16, 2007 – The James Madison University football team presented its annual team awards for the 2006 season at its team banquet recently. The following were honored:
Dean Ehlers Most Valuable Player Award: Senior linebacker Akeem Jordan (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg). Jordan led the JMU team in tackles with 140 and was the national defensive player of the year by College Sporting News, the Atlantic 10 Football Conference defensive player of the year, runnerup for the Buck Buchanan Award as national defensive player of the year by The Sports Network and a finalist for the Bill Dudley Award as Virginia's top college player. He was first-team All-America by The Sports Network, the American Football Coaches Association, the Walter Camp Foundation and College Sporting News and a second-team honoree by Associated Press. The award is named for Dean Ehlers, JMU's athletics director from 1971-93 and under whose direction JMU's football program originated.
Gary Clark Most Valuable Offensive Player Award: Junior tailback Eugene Holloman (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) and senior quarterback Justin Rascati (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz). Holloman was first-team All-Atlantic after leading JMU in rushing with 1,085 yards. He ran for eight touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 122 yards and a score and averaged 5.7 yards per rushing attempt for the season. Rascati threw for 2,045 yards and a team-season-record 20 touchdowns and ran for 518 yards and five scores. He completed 66.2 percent of his passes (153-231) and was intercepted only six times. Rascati was first-team All-Virginia by the Roanoke Times and the state's sports information directors association, second-team All-Atlantic 10 and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the nation's top offensive player. The award is named for former JMU wide receiver and professional football standout Gary Clark (1980-83).
Charles Haley Most Valuable Defensive Player Award: Senior end Kevin Winston (Beltsville, Md./High Point) took part in 64 tackles, including 16 for losses and a team-leading 11 quarterback sacks. He was a first-team All-America selection by The Sports Network and College Sporting News and a second-team choice by Associated Press, and he was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 honoree. The award is named for former JMU and professional football standout Charles Haley, the first player to be a member of five winning Super Bowl teams.
Challace McMillin Special Teams Player Award: Junior wide receiver/kick returner L.C. Baker (Richmond, Va./Armstrong). Baker was first-team All-Atlantic 10 as a punt returner after averaging 13.6 yards on 19 returns. He also had team highs of 46 receptions, 631 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches and had 73 yards on two kickoff returns. The award is named for Challace McMillin, who coached the Dukes from their first football season in 1972 through 1984 and who remained a JMU faculty member. McMillin continues to work with JMU student-athletics in a sports psychology role.
Bob Yetzer Award: Senior quarterback Justin Rascati (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz). The award is named for Bob Yetzer, an early supporter of JMU athletics, and is presented to the Duke who best exemplifies the characteristics of determination, dedication and leadership.
Doug West Memorial Scout Team Awards: Freshman linebacker Jonas Rawlins (Salem, Va./Salem) and freshman wide receiver Matt Goff (Fairfax, Va./Robinson). The award is presented to an offensive and a defensive player whose efforts on the scout teams play leading roles in the team's preparations throughout the season. Rawlins saw playing time on special teams during the season, being credited with four tackles, and Goff was held out of game action as a freshman redshirt. The award is named for Doug West, a standout JMU player in 1984 and 1985 who died from injuries received in an accident during the 1986 preseason.
Casey Carter Academic Achievement Award: Senior defensive end Kevin Winston (Beltsville, Md./High Point) and senior linebacker Isaiah Dottin-Carter (Somerville, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin). The award is presented for academic development throughout a player's career and is named for Casey Carter, JMU's assistant athletics director for student services.
John Kraus Memorial Award: Senior fullback Will Patrick (Louisa, Va./Louisa). Patrick worked as JMU's top fullback throughout the season and caught five passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. The award is named for former JMU offensive lineman and team captain John Kraus, who died in motor vehicle accident, and is presented to the player who best exemplifies spirit, determination, leadership, scholarship, work ethic and love of the game.
Hess-Green Award: Senior defensive end Kevin Winston (Beltsville, Md./High Point). Winston had off-season back surgery but returned to be among the leading defensive players in the nation. The award is named for Drs. Irvin Hess and Walter Green, who served for more than 20 years as the JMU team orthopedic specialist and team physician, respectively, and is presented a player who has overcome physical problems to return as a key team contributor.
Team Academic Achievement Awards: First-year player, freshman linebacker Jonas Rawlins (Salem, Va./Salem); Second-year player, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Trae Kenney (Richmond, Va./Hermitage); third-year player, junior wide receiver/kick returner L.C. Baker (Richmond, Va./Armstrong); fourth-, fifth-year player, senior quarterback Justin Rascati (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz).
Captain Awards: Senior offensive tackle Corey Davis (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan), senior linebacker Akeem Jordan (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg), junior free safety Tony LeZotte (Augusta, Ga./Westside), senior offensive guard Mike Parham (Petersburg, Va./Petersburg), senior quarterback Justin Rascati (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz), senior defensive end Kevin Winston (Beltsville, Md./High Point).
JMU completed the 2007 season with a 9-3 record and competed in the NCAA playoffs.
Players Mentioned
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