Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football Team Announces 2008 Award Winners at the Annual Banquet
12/13/2008 6:00:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Players honored at 46th annual football banquet
YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University football team was honored Saturday, Dec. 13, at the 46th annual football banquet held in the Grand Ballroom of the EMU Student Center.
The recipients of the 2008 individual awards were announced by the 2008 EMU football coaching staff with senior Tyler Jones (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville), redshirt junior Andy Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.-St. Johns) and redshirt freshman defensive end Brad Ohrman (Adrian, Mich.-Adrian) singled out for the top honors. Jones was named the recipient of the Team Most Valuable Player Award while Schmitt was named the winner of the James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award and Ohrman was honored as the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award winner for 2008.
The other 2008 award recipients for 2008 were: senior defensive safety Jacob Wyatt (Lansing, Mich.-Sexton) -Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award; senior offensive tackle T.J. Lang (Ferndale, Mich.-Birmingham Brother Rice)-Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award; redshirt junior wide receiver Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville)-Eagle Talons Award; redshirt freshman running back and kick returner Corey Welch (Akron, Ohio-Green)-Special Teams Most Valuable Player Award; true freshman wide receiver and kick returner Marvon Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti)-E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year; true freshman defensive lineman Javon Reese (Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside)-E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomer of the Year; Josh Hunt (Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi)-E-Gridiron Group Leadership Awards; and redshirt junior Brandon Downs (Springfield, Ohio-Kenton Ridge)-Silent Warrior Award.
The 2008 Team MVP Award was well deserved for senior Tyler Jones. He turned in his most productive season in his four-year career when he caught 75 passes for 760 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed 34 times for 145 yards. Jones tied an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record for single-game pass receptions with 23 in a thrilling 56-52 EMU win over Central Michigan in the 2008 season finale, Nov. 28. That 23-catch effort also set EMU and Mid-American Conference records.
Likewise, Schmitt turned the 2008 season into a record wrecker, setting two NCAA records, four MAC marks and five EMU records. Schmitt set the NCAA mark for pass attempts without an interception when he threw 76 times without a pick against Temple (Nov. 22). He also set EMU and MAC records single-game records against CMU for pass completions (58), pass attempts (80), total offensive plays (89), total offensive yards (554).
Although playing in his first season, Ohrman played like a veteran, seeing action in all 12 games and leading the team in tackles-for-loss (11-for-60 yards) and sacks (6-for-39 yards). He was ranked fifth in the MAC in TFLs and was sixth in sacks. Ohrman recorded 42 tackles on the year.
Jacob Wyatt started played all 12 games for the Eagles and started 11 times. He was second on the team in tackles in 2008 with 88.
T.J. Lang has been one of the offensive line mainstays for the past three seasons, starting in 36 straight contests, including all 12 in 2008.
Jacory Stone was one of the most valuable receivers in the MAC and gave the Eagles a tremendous one-two punch with fellow wide-out Tyler Jones. Stone led EMU in receptions and receiving yards in 2008, hauling in 88 passes for 943 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the year ranked third in the MAC and 37th in the NCAA in receiving yards per game and was third in the MAC and tied for ninth nationally in receptions per game.
Playing his first season for the Eagles, redshirt freshman Corey Welch was a valuable contributor on offense and in kick returns. He returned 26 kickoffs for a team-leading 562 yards and also rushed 25 times for 154 yards.
Another redshirt freshman, Javon Reese, came up with a big year as a reserve defensive lineman, recording 14 tackles while playing in all 12 games.
Senior defensive tackle Josh Hunt came up with a steady senior campaign in 2008, fighting off double-team blocks most of the year to record 33 tackles, indluding five tackles-for-loss of 13 yards.
Redshirt junior Brandon Downs started in 11 of 12 games and had his best season ever for the Eagles with 30 tackles. In addition he forced one fumble and added 2.5 tackles-for-loss of six yards.
Eastern Michigan University 2008 Football Awards
Team Most Valuable Player Award
Tyler Jones (WR • 6-2, 218, Sr.-Sr. • Belleville, Mich.-Belleville)
James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award
Andy Schmitt (QB • 6-4, 238, Sr.-Jr. • St. Johns, Mich.-St. Johns)
John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award
Brad Ohrman (DL • 6-4, 244, So.-Fr. • Adrian, Mich.-Adrian)
Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award
Jacob Wyatt (DB • 5-11, 197, Sr.-Sr. • Lansing, Mich.-Sexton)
Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award
T.J. Lang (OL • 6-4 1/2, 307, Sr.-Sr. • Ferndale, Mich.-Birmingham Brother Rice)
Eagle Talons Award
Jacory Stone (WR • 6-0 1/2, 201, Sr.-Jr. • Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville)
Special Teams Most Valuable Player
Corey Welch (RB, Ret. • 5-9, 182, So.-Fr. • Akron, Ohio-Green)
E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Marvon Sanders (WR, Ret. • 5-9, 160, Fr.-Fr. • Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti)
E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomer of the Year
Javon Reese (DL • 6-2, 230, Fr.-Fr. • Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside)
Eastern Gridiron Group Leadership Award
Josh Hunt (DL • 6-4 1/2, 278, Sr.-Sr. • Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi)
Silent Warrior (Special Teams)
Brandon Downs (DL • 6-1, 246, Sr.-Jr. • Springfield, Ohio-Kenton Ridge)
