Football awards announced

[PonyPride]

SMU Football Hands Out Honors
Sturdivant Wins President's Award

Jan. 20, 2007

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU football program held its annual Awards Reception on Saturday, Jan. 20, in the Stadium Club at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where Justin Willis was named Offensive MVP and Adrian Haywood, Justin Rogers and Joe Sturdivant shared Defensive MVP honors.

Sturdivant was also given the SMU's President's Award, which is presented to the player who contributes most to the overall success of the football program.

Willis re-wrote the Mustangs' single-season passing record books during his first year on the Hilltop, setting a new school record for touchdown passes with 26. For the year, he completed 182-of-270 for 2,047 yards and just six interceptions, ranking 10th in the nation in passing efficiency. His 29 TDs accounted for are the most in SMU history and his 2,401 yards of total offense is fourth-best in a season at SMU. In addition, his 67.4 completion percentage is best in school history.

The defensive trio were all first-team All-C-USA selections and helped anchor an SMU defense that ranked as tops in the conference in rushing defense, sacks and tackles-for-loss. Haywood finished the year ranked second in C-USA in tackles for loss, while Rogers ranked second in sacks and third in tackles-for-loss. Sturdivant was sixth in the entire NCAA in solo tackles and was third in C-USA in total tackles.

The 2006 season served as a preview of a bright future to SMU fans as the Mustangs posted their highest win total in a decade while featuring a slew of talented young players. SMU student-athletes filled a Conference USA-high six spots on the All-Freshman team and also placed a pair of record-setting first-years on The Sporting News' Freshman All-America squad. Off the gridiron, it was a great year as well, with SMU receiving the American Football Coaches Association's 2006 Academic Achievement Award after the school recorded a 100 percent graduation rate when all members of its freshman class of 2000-2001 earned a degree.

• President's Award (Presented To The Mustang Who Contributed Most To The Success Of The Total Football Program): Joe Sturdivant

• Mike Kelsey Ward (Presented To The Mustang Who Displayed The Attitude, Hustle & Desire Exemplary Of The Late Mike Kelsey): Brandon Bonds

• Lester Jordan Award (Presented To The Senior Letterman Who Is Both Outstanding On The Field And Has The Highest GPAs Over The Last Two Semesters): Duke Hasson

• Charles H. Trigg Blocking Award (Presented To The Team's Outstanding Offensive Linemen): Ben Poynter & Caleb Peveto

• "M" Association Award (Presented To The Players Who Show The Characteristics Of Hard Work, Determination & Team Spirit Typical Of Lettermen): Reggie Carrington & Ryan Kennedy

• Alumni Association Award (Presented To The Graduating Seniors Who Show Outstanding Character): Johnnie Fitzgerald & Darrin Johnson

• James T. Bradley "New Mustang" Award (Presented To The Most Consistent Freshmen Performers): Bryan McCann, Emmanuel Sanders & Justin Willis

• Wild Horse Club (Presented To The Players Who Exemplify The Spirit Of Wild Mustangs Through Their Outstanding Efforts During The Season): Bobby Chase & Reynaldo Pellerin

• Special Teams Award: Thomas Morstead & Blake Warren

• Mustang Club Award - Offensive MVP: Justin Willis

• Mustang Club Award - Defensive MVPs: Adrian Haywood, Justin Rogers & Joe Sturdivant

[PK]

Wish we could have those outstanding seniors one more year. Big shoes to fill.

[Lefty]

You're absolutely right. I get the sense this is a class we'll compare a lot of others to for quite a while. Best of luck to all of our outgoing seniors in whatever they do from here on, and thanks for all of your effort and blood and sweat over your careers.

[35straight]

Congrats to all the winners. And good luck to the guys going out to el paso.