Nov. 25, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Junior running back Jason Wright (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar), one of the nation's top all-purpose backs, was tabbed the Wildcats' 2002 Most Valuable Player at Sunday's Northwestern Gridiron Network (NGN) Football Banquet. The event was held in front of a capacity crowd at Evanston's Omni-Orrington Hotel.
Wright, who concluded his season with his seventh 100-yard rushing game on Saturday vs. Illinois, led Northwestern in several statistical categories, including: rushing (1,234 yards), rushing average (5.8 ypc), scoring (78 points), all-purpose yards (2,013 yards) and kickoff return average (28.5 ypr). Nationally, he ranked fourth in all-purpose yardage, eighth in kickoff return average and 33rd in rushing.
In Big Ten action, Wright led the league in kickoff return average, and ranked second in all-purpose yardage and seventh in rushing average. In just the eight Big Ten games, Wright was second in rushing TDs, third in yards per carry average and fifth in rushing average. Wright had just one fumble in 219 carries, and none in his last 10 games, including all eight Big Ten contests.
Freshmen Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) and Loren Howard (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) were the respective recipients of the NGN Newcomer of the Year awards. Basanez won the Offensive Newcomer of the Year award after leading the Big Ten in total offense (230.0 ypg) and leading all freshmen quarterbacks nationally in passing yardage (220.4 ypg). He completed 190-of-325 passes (58.5 percent) for 2,204 yards and seven touchdowns.
A true freshman, Howard was named the Defensive Newcomer of the Year after totaling 80 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss-the sixth-best figure in the Big Ten.
Other awards that were handed out included: the Rashidi Wheeler Award (given to a player that best represents the spirit and enthusiasm of Wheeler): senior cornerback Raheem Covington (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook); the George W. Ballantine Award (given for enthusiasm and leadership): sophomore guard Matt Ulrich (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood); the Thomas Airth Spirit Award: senior linebacker Vincent Cartaya (Miami, Fla./Belen Jesuit); the Carnig Minasian Citizenship Award: senior offensive lineman Jeff Roehl (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg); the Wildcat Warrior Award (for work ethic, toughness and attitude of a warrior): senior center Austin King (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian), who won the award for a third straight year; and the Marcel Price Award (given to a player who best exemplifies the enthusiasm and dedication to the Wildcat program and is symbolic of Price's desire): senior wide receiver Jon Schweighardt (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South).
Co-captains Austin King and Pat Durr (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles) were also recognized and honored.