12/11/2002 - Football
Jaskowiak Named To College Football News All-Independent Team

MIAMI, Fla.-Navy senior offensive tackle Derek Jaskowiak (Sr./Chesterfield, Mo.) has been named to the College Football News All-Independent team. Jaskowiak was Navy's top lineman on a team that finished third in the country in rushing (270.75). The Mids ended the season on a positive note, blowing out rival Army, 58-12, in front of 78,672 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

2002 Collegefootballnews.com All-Independent Team

Player of the Year

South Florida QB Marquel Blackwell

Possibly the nation's most underappreciated player, Blackwell was a machine of efficiency throwing for 2,590 yards and 18 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He also ran for 302 yards and five touchdowns while leading the Bulls to nine wins. Also in the running was Connecticut freshman Terry Caulley. He was fantastic rushing for 1,247 yards and 15 scores.

The Defensive Player of the Year came down to Notre Dame CB Shane Walton and LB Courtney Watson. These two were the main playmakers on the great Notre Dame defense. Watson was the leader and the heart and soul of the ball-hawking group, but Walton was just too good not to get the top spot.

Offensive player of the year - QB Marquel Blackwell, Sr. South Florida

Defensive player of the year - CB Shane Walton, Sr. Notre Dame

Coach of the year - Tyrone Willingham, Notre Dame

Best Independent game of the year - Oct. 19 - Utah State 45 ... New Mexico 44 OT

Freshman of the year - RB Terry Caulley, Connecticut

Biggest Surprise: Notre Dame. Who could've ever guessed the Irish would be in the mix for the BCS? With a new head coach, several new players, a couple of scandals and a killer schedule, this looked to be a rebuilding year. That obviously didn't happen.

Biggest Disappointment: South Florida not getting into a bowl game. The Bulls went 9-2 winning its final seven games of the season. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to get a post-season bid.

2002 All-Independent Team

Offense

QB Marquel Blackwell, Sr. South Florida

RB Terry Caulley, Fr. Connecticut

RB Ryan Grant, Soph. Notre Dame

WR Kevin Curtis, Sr. Utah State

WR Hugh Smith, Sr. South Florida

TE Tommy Collins, Sr. Connecticut

OL Jordan Black, Sr. Notre Dame

OL Jeff Faine, Sr. Notre Dame

OL Derk Jaskowiak, Sr, Navy

OL Ryan Krug, Soph. Connecticut

OL Sean Mahan, Sr. Notre Dame

PK Dane Kidman, Sr. Utah State

KR Vontez Duff, Jr. Notre Dame

Defense

DL Darrell Campbell, Sr. Notre Dame

DL Ryan Roberts, Sr. Notre Dame

DL Osi Umenyiora, Sr. Troy State

DL Demarcus Ware, Soph. Troy State

LB Jesse Busta, Sr. Utah State

LB Kawika Mitchell, Jr. South Florida

LB Courtney Watson, Sr. Notre Dame

DB Vontez Duff, Jr. Notre Dame

DB J.R. Reed, Jr. South Florida

DB Gerome Sapp, Sr. Notre Dame

DB Shane Walton, Sr. Notre Dame

P Devin Sanderson, Sr. South Florida

PR DeAndrew Rubin, Sr. South Florida