Klatt Named 2005 Football MVP

BROOMFIELD - Senior quarterback Joel Klatt, who set over 40 records in his University of Colorado career, was selected by his teammates as the Buffaloes' 2005 Most Valuable Player. The announcement came here Sunday as part of CU's annual senior banquet at the Omni Interlocken Hotel.

Klatt threw for 2,696 yards, with 14 touchdowns against only eight interceptions in becoming Colorado's career leader in all the major passing categories. Those include passing yards (7,375), completions (666), attempts (1,095), completion percentage (60.8) and touchdown passes (44), while also finishing second all-time in total offense (7,255 yards). He also set numerous game and single-season records in totaling 43 all told, second only to 51 set by Byron White. Klatt was also named the recipient of the John Mack Award as the team's outstanding offensive player.

A pair of juniors shared the Dave Jones Award as the team's most outstanding defensive players, inside linebacker Thaddaeus Washington and cornerback Gerett Burl. Washington led the team in tackles with 112, including 70 solo, with a team-high 13 tackles for loss (five of which were quarterback sacks, tied for the team high). Burl played the most snaps from scrimmage by a defensive player, 789, in recording 61 tackles (52 solo), with two interceptions, 14 pass deflections and five third down stops.

The Bill McCartney Award for special teams achievement went to junior placekicker Mason Crosby, who finished in the balloting for the Lou Groza Award (he was edged by Oregon State's Alexis Serna by six points). Crosby led the team ins coring with 94 points, including converting 21-of-28 field goals, his average make a national best 42.0 yards.

The Lee Willard Award for the most outstanding freshman went to defensive end Maurice Lucas, who originally was planning to redshirt. He played for the first time in the sixth game of the year (at Texas), and eventually worked his way into the starting lineup in recording 20 tackles (11 solo, four for losses) for the year, with five quarterback pressures in 296 snaps from scrimmage.

The complete list of CU award winners announced Sunday, selected by the coaching staff unless otherwise indicated:

Lee Willard Award (outstanding freshman): DE Maurice Lucas
Hang Tough Award (overcame the most adversity): OLB Brian Iwuh
Tyronee "Tiger" Bussey Award (perseverance over adversity, injury and/or illness): TE Quinn Sypniewski
Best Interview (selected by team beat media): VB Lawrence Vickers
Dean Jacob Van Ek Award (academic excellence): S Tom Hubbard
Bill McCartney Award (special teams achievement): PK Mason Crosby
Regiment Award (greatest contribution with least recognition): DT Vaka Manupuna
Derek Singleton Award (spirit, dedication, enthusiasm): VB Lawrence Vickers
Tom McMahon Award (dedication and work ethic): DT James Garee
Dave Jones Award (outstanding defensive player): ILB Thaddaeus Washington & CB Gerett Burl
John Mack Award (outstanding offensive player): QB Joel Klatt
Zack Jordan Award (most valuable player, selected by teammates): QB Joel Klatt
Previously announced:
Buffalo Heart Award (selected by "the fans behind the bench"): QB Joel Klatt