Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football Team Announces 2015 Award Winners
12/13/2015 9:00:00 PM | Football
Players honored at 53rd Annual football banquet
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team honored multiple student-athletes Sunday, Dec. 13, at the 53rd Annual football banquet held at the EMU Student Center. The recipients of the 2015 individual awards were announced by members of the EMU football coaching staff.
Senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) was selected for the Most Valuable Player Award. Jackson was also named the recipient of the James M. "Bingo" Brown Award as the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, while senior defensive back Ray Tillman (Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale) took home the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Senior kicker Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) captured the Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award while redshirt junior Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) reclaimed the Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award.
Mulder was selected as the Special Teams Most Valuable Player, while redshirt freshman Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall) was the Helmet Sticker Winner. The Theme Award went to senior defensive lineman Clay Dawson (Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep-Phoenix College).
Redshirt freshman running back Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) was named the recipient of the E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award and sophomore defensive back Juan Giraldo (Gilbert, Ariz.-Mesquite-Mesa C.C.) was the winner of the E-Gridiron Group's Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award.
The Scout Team Players of the Year went to freshman tight end Sam Girodat (Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi), freshman defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) and senior defensive back Austin Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State). Redshirt junior linebacker Amos Houston (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola) and Jackson claimed the Hammer Awards, while Gardner was honored with the Team Award.
Rounding out the accolades handed out by Head Coach Chris Creighton and staff were the Committed to Excellence Award (Mulder) and the Torch Bearer Leader Award (Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)).
The 2015 season marked the end of the careers of 10 Eagles: Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver), Dawson, Great Ibe (Philadelphia, Pa.-Meade), Jackson, Darian Miles (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), Mulder, Arron Pipkins (Maple Heights, Ohio-Maple Heights), Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central), Tillman, Jalen Williams (Southfield, Mich.Lathrup).
The Eagles finished the regular season ranked nationally in the top-60 in eight statistical categories to go along with 12 top-five rankings in the Mid-American Conference. EMU finished the year with 39 touchdowns, a mark that is tied for the fifth-most in a single-season during the squad's 124-year history, while its 4,560 yards of total offense is also the fifth most.
On the ground, EMU churned out the 14th-best single-season rushing total at 1,894 yards. Through the air, redshirt sophomore quarterbacks Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. Johns Jesuit) and Reginald Bell Jr. (Los Angeles, Calif.-Susan Miller Dorsey) combined for 2,666 yards passing, ranking seventh in program single-season annals. EMU's passing attack spread the wealth with seven different receivers having 20-or-more receptions, Eastern Michigan was one of just three schools nationally to accomplish that feat.
Individually, Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the MAC and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the nation.
Ibe showed his versatility between rushing the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. Finding the ball carrier from all over the field, Ibe's 131 stops paced EMU by a substantial margin as the next closest Eagle recorded 80 tackles this season. The linebacker's total is the most by an individual MAC defender as well as ranking second in the nation. Overall, Ibe's total ranks 15th in the EMU record book for a single-season while his 69 solo tackles were also the 15th-most.
Mulder saw his name etched into both the EMU and MAC record books in his final season as an Eagle. One of the most accurate kickers in program history, Mulder made 68.6 percent of his field goal attempts (35-of-51) and 93.7 percent of his point-after-touchdown tries (104-for-111). He is the only kicker in school-history to make three-or-more field goals from 50-or-longer in the same season, pushing it through from 51, 52 and 55 during in 2015 campaign.
Redshirt sophomore punter Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) tied the EMU single-season mark for punting average at 43.6 yards per boot. The total ranked second in the MAC and 29th in the NCAA as he had nine kicks travel more than 50-yards with 15 landing inside the 20-yard-line.
Creel appeared in 46 games for the Green and White, recording 126 catches for 1,492 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his career, the Industry, Pa. native finished tied for sixth in receptions, sixth in touchdown catches, and eighth in receiving yardage.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team honored multiple student-athletes Sunday, Dec. 13, at the 53rd Annual football banquet held at the EMU Student Center. The recipients of the 2015 individual awards were announced by members of the EMU football coaching staff.
Senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) was selected for the Most Valuable Player Award. Jackson was also named the recipient of the James M. "Bingo" Brown Award as the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, while senior defensive back Ray Tillman (Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale) took home the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Senior kicker Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) captured the Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award while redshirt junior Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) reclaimed the Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award.
Mulder was selected as the Special Teams Most Valuable Player, while redshirt freshman Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall) was the Helmet Sticker Winner. The Theme Award went to senior defensive lineman Clay Dawson (Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep-Phoenix College).
Redshirt freshman running back Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) was named the recipient of the E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award and sophomore defensive back Juan Giraldo (Gilbert, Ariz.-Mesquite-Mesa C.C.) was the winner of the E-Gridiron Group's Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award.
The Scout Team Players of the Year went to freshman tight end Sam Girodat (Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi), freshman defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) and senior defensive back Austin Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State). Redshirt junior linebacker Amos Houston (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola) and Jackson claimed the Hammer Awards, while Gardner was honored with the Team Award.
Rounding out the accolades handed out by Head Coach Chris Creighton and staff were the Committed to Excellence Award (Mulder) and the Torch Bearer Leader Award (Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)).
The 2015 season marked the end of the careers of 10 Eagles: Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver), Dawson, Great Ibe (Philadelphia, Pa.-Meade), Jackson, Darian Miles (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), Mulder, Arron Pipkins (Maple Heights, Ohio-Maple Heights), Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central), Tillman, Jalen Williams (Southfield, Mich.Lathrup).
The Eagles finished the regular season ranked nationally in the top-60 in eight statistical categories to go along with 12 top-five rankings in the Mid-American Conference. EMU finished the year with 39 touchdowns, a mark that is tied for the fifth-most in a single-season during the squad's 124-year history, while its 4,560 yards of total offense is also the fifth most.
On the ground, EMU churned out the 14th-best single-season rushing total at 1,894 yards. Through the air, redshirt sophomore quarterbacks Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. Johns Jesuit) and Reginald Bell Jr. (Los Angeles, Calif.-Susan Miller Dorsey) combined for 2,666 yards passing, ranking seventh in program single-season annals. EMU's passing attack spread the wealth with seven different receivers having 20-or-more receptions, Eastern Michigan was one of just three schools nationally to accomplish that feat.
Individually, Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the MAC and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the nation.
Ibe showed his versatility between rushing the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. Finding the ball carrier from all over the field, Ibe's 131 stops paced EMU by a substantial margin as the next closest Eagle recorded 80 tackles this season. The linebacker's total is the most by an individual MAC defender as well as ranking second in the nation. Overall, Ibe's total ranks 15th in the EMU record book for a single-season while his 69 solo tackles were also the 15th-most.
Mulder saw his name etched into both the EMU and MAC record books in his final season as an Eagle. One of the most accurate kickers in program history, Mulder made 68.6 percent of his field goal attempts (35-of-51) and 93.7 percent of his point-after-touchdown tries (104-for-111). He is the only kicker in school-history to make three-or-more field goals from 50-or-longer in the same season, pushing it through from 51, 52 and 55 during in 2015 campaign.
Redshirt sophomore punter Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) tied the EMU single-season mark for punting average at 43.6 yards per boot. The total ranked second in the MAC and 29th in the NCAA as he had nine kicks travel more than 50-yards with 15 landing inside the 20-yard-line.
Creel appeared in 46 games for the Green and White, recording 126 catches for 1,492 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his career, the Industry, Pa. native finished tied for sixth in receptions, sixth in touchdown catches, and eighth in receiving yardage.
Eastern Michigan University 2015 Football Awards
James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award
Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award
Ray Tillman (DB • 5-11 • 189 • Sr.-Sr. • Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale)
Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Harold E. Sponberg Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award
Cole Gardner (OL • 6-5 • 274 • Sr-Jr. • Batavia, Ill.-Batavia)
E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Shaq Vann (RB • 5-10 • 206 • So.-Fr. • South Bend, Ind.-John Adams)
E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomers of the Year
Juan Giraldo (DB • 5-11 • 188 • So.-So. • Gilbert, Ariz.-Mesquite-Mesa C.C.)
Scout Team Player of the Year
OFFENSE: Sam Girodat (TE • 6-3 • 244 • Fr.-Fr. • Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi)
DEFENSE: Maxx Crosby (DL • 6-5 • 223 • Fr.-Fr. • Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Austin Sanders (DB • 5-7 • 178 • Sr.-Sr. • Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State)
Special Teams MVP Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Team MVP
Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
Helmet Stickers Winner
Blake Banham (RB • 5-10 • 192 • So.-Fr. • St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall)
Hammer Award
OFFENSE: Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
DEFENSE: Amos Houston (LB • 6-0 • 217 • Sr.-Jr. • Detroit, Mich.-Loyola)
Theme Award
Clay Dawson (DL • 6-4 • 226 • Sr.-Sr. • Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep-Phoenix College)
Committed to Excellence Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Team Award
Cole Gardner (OL • 6-5 • 274 • Sr-Jr. • Batavia, Ill.-Batavia)
Torch Bearer Leader Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 274 • Jr.-Jr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award
Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award
Ray Tillman (DB • 5-11 • 189 • Sr.-Sr. • Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale)
Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Harold E. Sponberg Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award
Cole Gardner (OL • 6-5 • 274 • Sr-Jr. • Batavia, Ill.-Batavia)
E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Shaq Vann (RB • 5-10 • 206 • So.-Fr. • South Bend, Ind.-John Adams)
E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomers of the Year
Juan Giraldo (DB • 5-11 • 188 • So.-So. • Gilbert, Ariz.-Mesquite-Mesa C.C.)
Scout Team Player of the Year
OFFENSE: Sam Girodat (TE • 6-3 • 244 • Fr.-Fr. • Jackson, Mich.-Lumen Christi)
DEFENSE: Maxx Crosby (DL • 6-5 • 223 • Fr.-Fr. • Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Austin Sanders (DB • 5-7 • 178 • Sr.-Sr. • Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State)
Special Teams MVP Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Team MVP
Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
Helmet Stickers Winner
Blake Banham (RB • 5-10 • 192 • So.-Fr. • St. Paul, Minn-Cretin-Derham Hall)
Hammer Award
OFFENSE: Darius Jackson (RB • 6-0 • 221 • Sr.-Sr. • Sparta, Ill.-Sparta)
DEFENSE: Amos Houston (LB • 6-0 • 217 • Sr.-Jr. • Detroit, Mich.-Loyola)
Theme Award
Clay Dawson (DL • 6-4 • 226 • Sr.-Sr. • Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep-Phoenix College)
Committed to Excellence Award
Dylan Mulder (PK • 6-0 • 192 • Sr.-Sr. • Saline, Mich.-Saline)
Team Award
Cole Gardner (OL • 6-5 • 274 • Sr-Jr. • Batavia, Ill.-Batavia)
Torch Bearer Leader Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 274 • Jr.-Jr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
Players Mentioned
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