I don't Love the MAC postseason awards
12/3/2008I m going to choose my words carefully so I do not offend anyone, but the MAC postseason football awards were released today and they are a total mess. Honestly, it s an utter embarrassment. My colleague Maureen Fulton tackled this topic well in her blog, so I recommend you head over to her page when you re done with this post.
Let s get started.
Actually before we get started, I want to emphasize that coaches vote on the team and individual awards while the media votes strictly on the individual awards. In other words, don t blame me.
-Dante Love s career-ending injury was absolutely sickening. This kid was destined to play in the NFL, and then in the matter of seconds his hopes and dreams were shattered when he fractured his back. It s horrible. It s sad. It made you stop liking football for a minute. But what in the world is he doing on the All-MAC second team? Love played in just four games and only one was against a MAC opponent. I almost quit reading over the list when I read Love s name, but I m glad I didn t because
-SEVEN MIAMI PLAYERS RECEIVED HONORS!!!! That s right, two-win Miami got seven players on the first, second or third teams!!! Absolutely absurd. The RedHawks were horrific this year!!! Very rarely do I overuse the exclamation point, but this is a rare case that calls for it. Unbelievable!!! If I m to believe that seven Miami players were among the best in the MAC at their respective positions, then RedHawks coach Shane Montgomery must be the worst coach to ever blow a whistle.
-Central Michigan s Antonio Brown did not rank in the top 10 in kickoff return yet he was named Special Teams Player of the Year.
-Last year s MAC Player of the Year CMU s Dan LeFevour threw 15 fewer touchdown passes than WMU s Tim Hiller and yet LeFevour got the nod on second team. I didn t get the memo that these are honors based on one s career.
-It s not my job to wave brown and orange pom-poms, but I have no problem defending BG in a situation like this. Yes, the Falcons had a disappointing season, but more than two players deserved to make a team. I was stunned to see none of BG s excellent defensive back was honored. Antonio Smith was much better than a year ago when he was named third team. And where is P.J. Mahone? I would argue Mahone might be the best safety in the MAC. Others that should have been considered are Corey Partridge, Kenny Lewis, Jeff Fink, John Hanline, Erique Dozier and Brandon Curtis. This is disgraceful.
Check them out for yourself.
Individual Award Winners
Vern Smith Leadership Award Larry English, Northern Illinois
Coach of the Year Brady Hoke, Ball State
Offensive Player of the Year Nate Davis, Ball State
Defensive Player of the Year Larry English, Northern Illinois
Special Teams Player of the Year Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
Freshman of the Year Sean Baker, Ball State
Offense
First Team
Center - Dan Gerberry, Ball State
Lineman - Robert Brewster, Ball State
Lineman Andrew Hartline, Central Michigan
Lineman Chris Kemme, Akron
Lineman - Andre Ramsey, Ball State
Tight End - Darius Hill, Ball State
Quarterback - Nate Davis, Ball State
Wide Receiver - Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver - Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo
Wide Receiver - Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver - Bryan Anderson, Central Michigan
Running Back - MiQuale Lewis, Ball State
Running Back - James Starks, Buffalo
Placekicker Nate Parseghian, Miami
Second Team
Center - Alex Derenthal, Temple
Lineman Augustus Parrish, Kent State
Lineman Jeff Niedermier, Buffalo
Lineman Josh Leuck, Ohio
Lineman - T. J. Lang, Eastern Michigan
Tight End - Branden Ledbetter, Western Michigan
Quarterback - Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver - Nick Moore, Toledo
Wide Receiver - Dante Love, Ball State
Wide Receiver - Stephen Williams, Toledo
Wide Receiver - Jacory Stone, Eastern Michigan
Running Back - Dennis Kennedy, Akron
Running Back - Eugene Jarvis, Kent State
Placekicker Mike Salerno, Northern Illinois
Third Team
Center - Eddie Adamski, Northern Illinois
Lineman Jon Brost, Northern Illinois
Lineman Phillip Sawnson, Western Michigan
Lineman Jason Onyebuagu, Northern Illinois
Lineman - Greg Wojt, Central Michigan
Tight End - Andrew Mooney, Ohio
Quarterback - Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver - Andre Jones, Akron
Wide Receiver - Deryn Bowser, Akron
Wide Receiver - Bruce Francis, Temple
Wide Receiver - Juan Nunez, Western Michigan
Running Back - Brandon West, Western Michigan
Running Back - DaJuane Collins, Toledo
Placekicker - Andrew Aguila, Central Michigan
Defense
First Team
Outside Linebacker - Clayton Mullins, Miami
Outside Linebacker - Austin Pritchard, Western Michigan
Inside Linebacker - Nick Bellore, Central Michigan
Inside Linebacker - Joe Hudson, Miami
Down Lineman - Larry English, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman - Frank Zombo, Central Michigan
Down Lineman - Diyral Briggs, Bowling Green
Down Lineman - Terrance Knighton, Temple
Defensive Back - Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
Defensive Back - B.J. Hill, Ball State
Defensive Back - Davonte Shannon, Buffalo
Defensive Back - Barry Church, Toledo
Punter Jake Richardson, Miami
Second Team
Outside Linebacker - Derek Burrell, Kent State
Outside Linebacker - Noah Keller, Ohio
Inside Linebacker - Daniel Holtzclaw, Eastern Michigan
Inside Linebacker - Kevin Grant, Akron
Down Lineman - Andre Neblett, Temple
Down Lineman - Jameson Hartke, Ohio
Down Lineman - Zach Davidson, Western Michigan
Down Lineman - Brandon Crawford, Ball State
Defensive Back - E.J. Biggers, Western Michigan
Defensive Back - Londen Fryar, Western Michigan
Defensive Back - Mike Newton, Buffalo
Defensive Back - Brian Lainhart, Kent State
Punter Chris Miller, Ball State
Third Team
Outside Linebacker Justin Winters, Buffalo
Outside Linebacker - Boston McCornell, Western Michigan
Inside Linebacker Bryant Haines, Ball State
Inside Linebacker - Tim McCarthy, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman Brandon Bice, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman - Joe Coniglio, Miami
Down Lineman - Almondo Sewell, Akron
Down Lineman - Sean Murnane, Central Michigan
Defensive Back Steven Jackson, Ohio
Defensive Back - Trey Buice, Ball State
Defensive Back - Robbie Wilson, Miami
Defensive Back - Bryan Williams, Akron
Punter Nick Iovinelli, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist
First Team - Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
Second Team - Travis Shelton, Temple
Third Team - Bryan Williams, Akron
Punt Return Specialist
First Team Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
Second Team - B.J. Hill, Ball State
Third Team - Eugene Harris, Miami