Download Free Acrobat ReaderNov. 19, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior linebacker Nick Roach (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Lutheran) and sophomore running back Tyrell Sutton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) picked up 2006 Most Valuable Player honors at Sunday's Northwestern Gridiron Network Football Banquet. The event was held in front of a capacity crowd at Evanston's Orrington Hotel.
Roach, Northwestern's heart and soul on defense, led the Wildcats in five of the seven complete games he played this season. Roach was the team's leading tackler (62) before his season-ending injury in the third quarter against Michigan State. He has started 32 career games at linebacker and ends his Wildcat career with 241 tackles (137 solo), 16 tackles for loss (TFLs) and two interceptions.
Sutton moved into seventh place on Northwestern's career list after running for 1,000 yards this season. Sutton now has 2,474 yards on 439 carries in his first two years as a collegian. The Ohio native has scored 25 career TD's,which includes four receiving scores. He ranks 12th on NU's career all-purpose yardage list -- 84 career receptions for 657 yards. Sutton is averaging 103.1 rushing yards per career game and 130.8 total yards per career game (rushing and receiving). He averages and outstanding 5.6 yards per career rush. This season, he was NU's leading rusher and second-leading receiver.
Redshirt freshman Corey Wootton (Rutherford, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) and freshman Sherrick McManis (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) were the respective recipients of the NGN Newcomer of the Year awards. Wootton won the Defensive Newcomer of the Year award after making a sensational comeback after a career-threatening neck injury in 2005. Wootton led all defensive linemen in tackles and was the team leader in TFLs (9) and sacks (4.5). He also had a pair of interceptions, which ranks as the second-most by a Wildcat player this year. He was the first NU player since 1995 to accomplish every defensive statistic at least once this year: tackles (51), TFLs (9), sacks (4.5), interceptions (2), deflections (1), QB hurries (1), fumble recoveries (1), forced fumbles (1) and blocked kicks (1). (Last player to do so -- Hudhaifa Ismaeli in 1995.)
McManis was named the Wildcats' special teams player of the week seven times throughout the season and tallied his first career interception against likely Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. McManis ranked sixth in Big Ten kickoff returns with a 21.0 yards per average -- had six returns of 30 yards or greater. As a cornerback, he recorded 22 tackles and 5 pass breakups (second-most on team).
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 running back Terrell Jordan (Clarkston, Ga./Tucker), the George W. Ballantine Award (given for enthusiasm and leadership): senior super back Erryn Cobb (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove North); the Thomas Airth Spirit Award: senior linebacker Demetrius Eaton (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Vincent); the Carnig Minasian Citizenship Award: senior place-kicker Joel Howells (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore); the Randy Walker Wildcat Warrior Awards (for work ethic, toughness and attitude of a warrior): senior offensive linemen Joe Tripodi (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea), and Ryan Keenan (Westlake, Ohio/Saint Edward), 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 Shaun Herbert (Oxon Hill, Md./Bishop McNamara).
Co-captains Erryn Cobb, Demetrius Eaton, Bryan Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch), Shaun Herbert and Nick Roach were also recognized and honored.