Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Andrew Mascharka
Football Team Announces 2016 Award Winners
1/6/2017 5:36:00 PM | Football
Players honored at 54th Annual football banquet
EMU Football Record Book (PDF).
Photo Gallery.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team was honored Friday, Jan. 6, at the 54th Annual football banquet held at the EMU Student Center. The recipients of the 2016 individual awards were announced by members of the EMU football coaching staff.
Redshirt junior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) was selected for the Most Valuable Player Award. Roback was also named the recipient of the James M. "Bingo" Brown Award as the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, while senior defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) took home the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Senior kicker Brendan Renius (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) captured the Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award, while O'Connor claimed the Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award.
Redshirt freshman kicker Paul Fricano (Rochester N.Y.-Churchville-Chili) was selected the Special Teams Most Valuable Player, while sophomore defensive back Justin Moody (Richmond, Va.-Monacan) and redshirt freshman tight end Bryce Kemp (Baxter, Iowa-Baxter Community School) shared the Helmet Sticker Award. The Theme Award went to senior defensive lineman Mike Brown (Sandusky, Ohio-Sandusky).
Junior wide receiver Sergio Bailey II (La Mesa, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College) was named the recipient of the E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award and freshman defensive back Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) 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 wide receiver Keyan Marshall (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview), redshirt sophomore linebacker D'Marcus Moon (Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side) and freshman Tyler Lyle (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Kalamazoo Central). Redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), redshirt junior defensive back Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert) and sophomore defensive back Aaron Abbott (Kettering, Ohio-Fairmont-Mount St. Joseph) claimed the Hammer Awards, while redshirt senior offensive lineman Darien Terrell (Canton, Ohio-Massillon Jackson) 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, which was given to redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) and the Torch Bearer Leader Award to O'Connor.
The 2016 season marked the end of the careers of 15 Eagles: Mike Brown, Sam Browning (Escondido, Calif.-Escondido-Palomar C.C.), Kevin Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.-Warren Central-Indiana), Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills-Dodge City C.C.), Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), Aloyis Gray (Indianapolis, Ind.-Pike-Purdue-DuPage), Amos Houston (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola), Jake Hurcombe (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson), O'Connor, Chris O'Risky (Poseyville, Ind.-North Posey), DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech), Renius, Austin Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State), Terrell, and Andrew Wylie (Midland, Mich.-Midland).
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on their win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Eastern was led by Roback, who put up tall numbers in his 10 appearances in 2016. He finished with 219 completions for 2,694 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had six 300-yard games and a season-high of 468 yards. The offense got its start up front from an experienced offensive line, which had 166 combined starts under its belt. The group combined to allow the ninth fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss. On the ground, redshirt sophomore running back Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) led the rushing attack with 771 yards on 184 carries and nine scores. Bailey was the leading pass catcher with 60 receptions for 868 yards and seven touchdowns.
On defense, the Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under defensive coordinator Neal Neathery. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC. The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
O'Connor finished the season with 20.5 sacks for his career, making him the program leader since 1998. His 8.5 sacks ranked 42nd in the nation and fifth in the MAC. O'Connor and Harris were a dynamic combination both forcing and recovering fumbles, with O'Connor ranking 10th nationally in fumbles forced and Harris placing eighth in most fumbles recovered. Additionally, Harris was fifth in blocked kicks and was one of just 34 players in the FBS to block multiple kicks in 2016.
Special teams were also a large component of the team's success in 2016. Redshirt junior punter Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, who punted the ball 63 times for an average of 43.5 yards and a career-long of 61 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20 yard line, 29 times, and had 18 kicks of 50+ yards. His season average ranked 25th in the country and second in the MAC. Meanwhile, Fricano burst onto the scene this season as a model of consistency, breaking the single-season extra point record after converting on 42-of-43 attempts this season. In total, the Rochester, N.Y. native hit 19-of-24 field goal attempts with a season long of 46, for a team-high 99 total points. His 79.2 percent field goal percentage ranked 36th in the country, and second in the MAC, while his 1.46 field goals per game were 21st in the nation, and second in the conference.
Eastern Michigan saw eight of its student-athletes named to All-Mid-American Conference Team. The eight honorees were the most since the 1996 campaign. Furthermore, EMU had 18 student-athletes represented on the 2016 MAC Academic All-MAC Football Team. The 18 Eagles were the most in the MAC and also the most in EMU history.
The Green and White still can add one more accomplishment to the list on Tuesday, Jan. 10, as Creighton is a finalist for the American Football Coaches Awards' (AFCA) first-ever Comeback Coach of the Year. The winner of this award is a head coach who faced significant obstacles or adversity in the past or current season, but led his team to a great season despite the adversity. The AFCA will be presenting the new award at the inaugural American Football Coaches Awards show, to be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. EST. The awards show will take place at the Grand Ole Opry House during the 2017 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
Eastern Michigan University 2016 Football Awards
James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award
Brogan Roback (QB • 6-3 • 206 • R-Jr. • Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit)
John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award
Brendan Renius (K • 6-1 • 240 • R-Sr. • Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior)
Harold E. Sponberg Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Sergio Bailey II (WR • 6-0 •186 • Jr. • La Mesa, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College)
E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomers of the Year
Vince Calhoun (DB • 5-11 • 175 • Fr. • Middletown, Ohio-Middletown)
Scout Team Player of the Year
OFFENSE: Keyan Marshall (WR• 6-2 • 182 • Fr. • Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview)
DEFENSE: D'Marcus Moon (LB • 6-1 • 230 • R-So. • Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Tyler Lyle (LB • 6-0 • 210 • Fr. • Kalamazoo, Mich.-Kalamazoo Central)
Special Teams MVP Award
Paul Fricano (K • 5-10 • 192 • R-Fr. • Rochester N.Y.-Churchville-Chili)
Team MVP
Brogan Roback (QB • 6-3 • 206 • R-Jr. • Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit)
Helmet Stickers Winner
Justin Moody (DB • 5-10 • 174 • So. • Richmond, Va.-Monacan)
Bryce Kemp (TE • 6-5 • 233 • R-Fr. • Baxter, Iowa-Baxter Community School)
Hammer Award
OFFENSE: Jimmy Leatiota (OL • 6-3 • 298 • R-So. • San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo)
DEFENSE: Ikie Calderon (DB • 5-9 • 180 • R-Jr. • Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Aaron Abbott (DB • 6-0 • 206 • R-Jr. • Kettering, Ohio-Fairmont-Mount St. Joseph)
Theme Award - "Let's Roll"
Mike Brown (DL • 6-2 • 297 • R-Sr. • Sandusky, Ohio-Sandusky)
Committed to Excellence Award
Jeremiah Harris (DL • 6-5 • 258 • R-So. • Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior)
Team Award "CMU Game Ball"
Darien Terrell (OL • 6-4 • 317 • R-Sr. • Canton, Ohio-Massillon Jackson)
Torch Bearer Leader Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
Photo Gallery.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team was honored Friday, Jan. 6, at the 54th Annual football banquet held at the EMU Student Center. The recipients of the 2016 individual awards were announced by members of the EMU football coaching staff.
Redshirt junior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) was selected for the Most Valuable Player Award. Roback was also named the recipient of the James M. "Bingo" Brown Award as the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, while senior defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) took home the John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Senior kicker Brendan Renius (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) captured the Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award, while O'Connor claimed the Harold E. Sponberg Down Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award.
Redshirt freshman kicker Paul Fricano (Rochester N.Y.-Churchville-Chili) was selected the Special Teams Most Valuable Player, while sophomore defensive back Justin Moody (Richmond, Va.-Monacan) and redshirt freshman tight end Bryce Kemp (Baxter, Iowa-Baxter Community School) shared the Helmet Sticker Award. The Theme Award went to senior defensive lineman Mike Brown (Sandusky, Ohio-Sandusky).
Junior wide receiver Sergio Bailey II (La Mesa, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College) was named the recipient of the E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award and freshman defensive back Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) 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 wide receiver Keyan Marshall (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview), redshirt sophomore linebacker D'Marcus Moon (Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side) and freshman Tyler Lyle (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Kalamazoo Central). Redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), redshirt junior defensive back Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert) and sophomore defensive back Aaron Abbott (Kettering, Ohio-Fairmont-Mount St. Joseph) claimed the Hammer Awards, while redshirt senior offensive lineman Darien Terrell (Canton, Ohio-Massillon Jackson) 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, which was given to redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior) and the Torch Bearer Leader Award to O'Connor.
The 2016 season marked the end of the careers of 15 Eagles: Mike Brown, Sam Browning (Escondido, Calif.-Escondido-Palomar C.C.), Kevin Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.-Warren Central-Indiana), Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills-Dodge City C.C.), Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), Aloyis Gray (Indianapolis, Ind.-Pike-Purdue-DuPage), Amos Houston (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola), Jake Hurcombe (Lincolnshire, Ill.-Stevenson), O'Connor, Chris O'Risky (Poseyville, Ind.-North Posey), DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech), Renius, Austin Sanders (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti-Michigan State), Terrell, and Andrew Wylie (Midland, Mich.-Midland).
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on their win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Eastern was led by Roback, who put up tall numbers in his 10 appearances in 2016. He finished with 219 completions for 2,694 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had six 300-yard games and a season-high of 468 yards. The offense got its start up front from an experienced offensive line, which had 166 combined starts under its belt. The group combined to allow the ninth fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss. On the ground, redshirt sophomore running back Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) led the rushing attack with 771 yards on 184 carries and nine scores. Bailey was the leading pass catcher with 60 receptions for 868 yards and seven touchdowns.
On defense, the Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under defensive coordinator Neal Neathery. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC. The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
O'Connor finished the season with 20.5 sacks for his career, making him the program leader since 1998. His 8.5 sacks ranked 42nd in the nation and fifth in the MAC. O'Connor and Harris were a dynamic combination both forcing and recovering fumbles, with O'Connor ranking 10th nationally in fumbles forced and Harris placing eighth in most fumbles recovered. Additionally, Harris was fifth in blocked kicks and was one of just 34 players in the FBS to block multiple kicks in 2016.
Special teams were also a large component of the team's success in 2016. Redshirt junior punter Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, who punted the ball 63 times for an average of 43.5 yards and a career-long of 61 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20 yard line, 29 times, and had 18 kicks of 50+ yards. His season average ranked 25th in the country and second in the MAC. Meanwhile, Fricano burst onto the scene this season as a model of consistency, breaking the single-season extra point record after converting on 42-of-43 attempts this season. In total, the Rochester, N.Y. native hit 19-of-24 field goal attempts with a season long of 46, for a team-high 99 total points. His 79.2 percent field goal percentage ranked 36th in the country, and second in the MAC, while his 1.46 field goals per game were 21st in the nation, and second in the conference.
Eastern Michigan saw eight of its student-athletes named to All-Mid-American Conference Team. The eight honorees were the most since the 1996 campaign. Furthermore, EMU had 18 student-athletes represented on the 2016 MAC Academic All-MAC Football Team. The 18 Eagles were the most in the MAC and also the most in EMU history.
The Green and White still can add one more accomplishment to the list on Tuesday, Jan. 10, as Creighton is a finalist for the American Football Coaches Awards' (AFCA) first-ever Comeback Coach of the Year. The winner of this award is a head coach who faced significant obstacles or adversity in the past or current season, but led his team to a great season despite the adversity. The AFCA will be presenting the new award at the inaugural American Football Coaches Awards show, to be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. EST. The awards show will take place at the Grand Ole Opry House during the 2017 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
Eastern Michigan University 2016 Football Awards
James M. "Bingo" Brown Most Valuable Offensive Player Award
Brogan Roback (QB • 6-3 • 206 • R-Jr. • Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit)
John E. Borowiec Most Valuable Defensive Player Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
Elton J. Rynearson Scholar-Athlete Award
Brendan Renius (K • 6-1 • 240 • R-Sr. • Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior)
Harold E. Sponberg Lineman Scholar-Athlete Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
E-Gridiron Group Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Sergio Bailey II (WR • 6-0 •186 • Jr. • La Mesa, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College)
E-Gridiron Group Defensive Newcomers of the Year
Vince Calhoun (DB • 5-11 • 175 • Fr. • Middletown, Ohio-Middletown)
Scout Team Player of the Year
OFFENSE: Keyan Marshall (WR• 6-2 • 182 • Fr. • Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview)
DEFENSE: D'Marcus Moon (LB • 6-1 • 230 • R-So. • Fort Wayne, Ind.-North Side)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Tyler Lyle (LB • 6-0 • 210 • Fr. • Kalamazoo, Mich.-Kalamazoo Central)
Special Teams MVP Award
Paul Fricano (K • 5-10 • 192 • R-Fr. • Rochester N.Y.-Churchville-Chili)
Team MVP
Brogan Roback (QB • 6-3 • 206 • R-Jr. • Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit)
Helmet Stickers Winner
Justin Moody (DB • 5-10 • 174 • So. • Richmond, Va.-Monacan)
Bryce Kemp (TE • 6-5 • 233 • R-Fr. • Baxter, Iowa-Baxter Community School)
Hammer Award
OFFENSE: Jimmy Leatiota (OL • 6-3 • 298 • R-So. • San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo)
DEFENSE: Ikie Calderon (DB • 5-9 • 180 • R-Jr. • Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert)
SPECIAL TEAMS: Aaron Abbott (DB • 6-0 • 206 • R-Jr. • Kettering, Ohio-Fairmont-Mount St. Joseph)
Theme Award - "Let's Roll"
Mike Brown (DL • 6-2 • 297 • R-Sr. • Sandusky, Ohio-Sandusky)
Committed to Excellence Award
Jeremiah Harris (DL • 6-5 • 258 • R-So. • Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior)
Team Award "CMU Game Ball"
Darien Terrell (OL • 6-4 • 317 • R-Sr. • Canton, Ohio-Massillon Jackson)
Torch Bearer Leader Award
Pat O'Connor (DL • 6-4 • 270 • R-Sr. • Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita)
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