Colorado University Athletics
PURIFY NAMED COLORADO MVP
BROOMFIELD ? Senior tailback Bobby Purify, who ran for 1,017 yards through several significant injuries and finished as the third leading rusher in University of Colorado history, was selected by his teammates as the Buffaloes’ 2004 Most Valuable Player. The announcement came here Sunday as part of CU’s annual senior banquet at the Omni Interlocken Hotel.
Purify finished his career with 3,016 rushing yards, trailing only Eric Bieniemy (3,940) and Rashaan Salaam (3,057), and was the first player in school history to record at least 2,500 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving (508) in a career. He battled through separations of both shoulders and a knee injury to play in every game, and posted his numbers despite missing the better part of 10 quarters.
He rushed for over 100 yards five times this season and scored nine touchdowns, with his top games in the opener against Colorado State (189 yards/1 TD) and Kansas State (155 yards/2 TDs).
Senior defensive tackle Matt McChesney garnered three awards, including the Dave Jones Award as the team’s most outstanding defensive player. He had 59 tackles (43 solo), with a team-best seven quarterback sacks and nine hurries, along with 11 third down stops. And like Purify, he overcame several injuries, mainly recurring ankle sprains, to start every game. McChesney also won the Derek Singleton Award for spirit, dedication and enthusiasm, as well as the Best Interview honor as selected by the team’s beat media, as they recognized his candid and often entertaining answers and banter.
The Lee Willard Award for the most outstanding freshman went to inside linebacker Jordon Dizon, who recorded 82 tackles (51 solo) for the year, a school freshman record, some 15 more than the old mark.
Two awards were given to groups: The Hang Tough Award for overcoming the most adversity went to the senior class, while The Fugitive Award, symbolizing an “I Don’t Care” attitude for the benefit of the team was awarded to the entire team.
In addition, 10 players were named to CU’s prestigious Victory Club, as they earned the honor by recording a winning performance and/or productivity grade by the coaches in at least eight of games. Those honored were PK Mason Crosby, OG Brian Daniels, DE James Garee, WR Nick Holz (holder), OLB Brian Iwuh, DT Vaka Manupuna, DT Matt McChesney, CB Lorenzo Sims, P John Torp and VB Lawrence Vickers.
The complete list of CU award winners announced Sunday, selected by the coaching staff unless otherwise indicated:
Lee Willard Award (outstanding freshman): ILB Jordon Dizon
Hang Tough Award (overcame the most adversity): The Senior Class
Tyronee "Tiger" Bussey Award (perseverance over adversity, injury and/or illness): TE Jesse Wallace
Best Interview (selected by team beat media): DT Matt McChesney
Dean Jacob Van Ek Award (academic excellence): PK J.T. Eberly
Bill McCartney Award (special teams achievement): PK Mason Crosby
Regiment Award (greatest contribution with least recognition): OT Sam Wilder
Derek Singleton Award (spirit, dedication, enthusiasm): DT Matt McChesney
The Fugitive Award (symbolizing “I Don’t Care” attitude for benefit of team): Entire Team
Tom McMahon Award (dedication and work ethic): VB Lawrence Vickers
Dave Jones Award (outstanding defensive player): DT Matt McChesney
John Mack Award (outstanding offensive player): TB Bobby Purify
Zack Jordan Award (most valuable player, selected by teammates): TB Bobby Purify
Previously announced:
Buffalo Heart Award (selected by “the fans behind the bench”): TB Bobby Purify