Walters Captures Football MVP Honors

Photo by: Associated Press

December 14, 2008 | Football

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BROOMFIELD - Senior free safety Ryan Walters was selected by his University of Colorado teammates as the Buffaloes' 2008 Most Valuable Player, as the announcement came here Sunday as part of CU's annual football senior awards banquet at the Omni Interlocken Hotel.

Walters is just the second defender to claim the MVP award, named for Zack Jordan, this decade, joining linebacker Jordan Dizon who won last year. Walters finished third on the team in tackles with 87, despite missing all but one play of CU's last two games after being injured on the first play against Oklahoma State. He was among the nation's leaders in fumble recoveries with three, and he also tied for the team lead in interceptions with two to go with seven breakups, two quarterback sacks and 10 third down stops. He had four games with 10 or more tackles, including CU's season high of 16 against Iowa State.

Sophomore wide receiver Scotty McKnight was named the John Mack Award winner as the team's most outstanding offensive player. McKnight became the first player to lead CU in receiving in back-to-back years since Javon Green did so in 1999 and 2000, catching 46 passes for 519 yards (11.3 per) with five touchdowns. He caught nine balls for 20-plus yards, 22 for double digit gains and 26 for first downs, including 12 of 16 catches on third down.

Senior outside linebacker Brad Jones and junior cornerback Cha'pelle Brown shared the Dave Jones Award as the team's outstanding defensive players. Brown recorded 84 tackles (59 solo), fourth most on the squad, and team bests of 14 third down stops and 10 passes broken up. In playing the most defensive snaps on the team (824), he also tied for the team lead in interceptions with two, one of which he returned for the winning points in CU's 31-24 win over Eastern Washington, the first time in school history the Buffs won a game in the final minutes on a defensive score. Jones was right behind Brown in tackles with 78 (48 solo), leading the Buffs in tackles for loss (14), quarterback sacks (7) and hurries (14). He closed his career with a nine-tackle game at Nebraska that included three for losses, two of which we sacks.

The Bill McCartney Award for special teams achievement was shared by sophomore wide receiver Josh Smith a redshirt freshman safety Travis Sandersfeld. Smith set a school record for the most kick return yards in a single season (1,568), as well as establishing marks for the most kickoff returns (50) and kickoff return yards (1,276). He amassed 1,987 all-purpose yards when including his offensive accomplishments, a number that was the second most in school history. Sandersfeld had 13 special team points on coverage and return units, including seven from knockdown blocks, three wedge breaks and three tackles, but also excelled in other areas where points are awarded, such as assignment and blocking grades.

The Lee Willard Award for the most outstanding freshman went to tailback Rodney Stewart, who was on target for a 1,000-yard season before being injured in the ninth game at Texas A&M. Despite suffering a season-ending broken leg on an illegal horse collar tackle, he still led the team in rushing with 622 yards, just the fourth freshman to ever do so at Colorado and the first since Lamont Warren in 1991. Stewart tied Warren's record for the most 100-yard games as a freshman with three.

The scout team awards, which recognized those players who shined weekly mimicking opponent schemes and mannerisms went to sophomore redshirt tailback Brian Lockridge and freshman redshirt wide receiver Markques Simas for offense, to freshman defensive end Will Pericak for defense and senior strong safety Joel Adams for special teams.

Twenty-nine players earned the inaugural Gold Group Commitment Award, which was voted on by the coaches as well as several support staff units. Those selected have achieved "excellence with class" in their academic, athletic and personal lives, emphasizing a quality balance of life and epitomizing the core values of the Colorado football program: leadership, hard work, passion, selflessness, trust, attention to detail, discipline and toughness.

The complete list of CU award winners announced Sunday, most selected by the coaching staff and a few others, including the most outstanding and the MVP, by the players:

Zack Jordan Award (most valuable player, selected by teammates): FS Ryan Walters

John Mack Award (outstanding offensive player): WR Scotty McKnight

Dave Jones Award (outstanding defensive player): CB Cha'pelle Brown & OLB Brad Jones

Hang Tough Award (overcame the most adversity): FS Ryan Walters

Lee Willard Award (outstanding freshman): TB Rodney Stewart

Tyronee "Tiger" Bussey Award (perseverance over adversity, injury and/or illness): DT Brandon Nicolas

Dean Jacob Van Ek Award (academic excellence): DT George Hypolite & OT Nate Solder

Bill McCartney Award (special teams achievement): SS Travis Sandersfeld & WR Josh Smith

Regiment Award (greatest contribution with least recognition): C Daniel Sanders

Derek Singleton Award (spirit, dedication, enthusiasm): QB Cody Hawkins

Tom McMahon Award (dedication and work ethic): ILB Jeff Smart

Eddie Crowder Award (leadership): WR Patrick Williams