2/28/2004 - Football
Awards Presented At The Navy Football Banquet
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Naval Academy football banquet was held Friday evening at Alumni Hall with several prestigious awards handed out. The 2003 season was one to remember as the Mids posted an 8-5 record, won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1981 and played in a bowl game for the first time since 1996. The Mids led the nation in rushing, averaging a school-record 323.2 yards per contest, and became just the sixth team in NCAA history to go from winless to a bowl game in just two years.
Linebacker Eddie Carthan (Donalsonville, Ga.) was named the winner of the inaugural Roger Staubach award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has contributed the most to the team's success over his playing career.
Carthan was a four-year starter for the Mids and finished his career with 203 tackles, 27.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Carthan had a senior season to remember, leading the team in tackles for a loss (13.5), sacks (5) and tying for the team lead in interceptions (4) to go along with his 79 tackles.
Quarterback Craig Candeto (Orange City, Fla.) was named the winner of the first-ever Joe Bellino award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who is the leading ground gainer over his playing career.
Candeto will go down in history as one of the greatest rushers in school history as finished his career with 1,949 yards, the sixth most in school history and third most among quarterbacks. His 33 rushing touchdowns ranks second in school history, while the 16 touchdowns he scored in both his junior and senior season put him second on the single-season rushing touchdown list. Candeto also became just the fourth player in school history to have 1,000 career rushing yards and 2,000 career passing yards and became just the 23rd player in NCAA history and second in Navy history to rush and pass for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. In 2003, Candeto rushed for 1,112 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns in helping lead the Mids to the EV1.net Houston Bowl.
Slot back Tony Lane (Wrens, Ga.) became the first player to win the Napoleon McCallum award, which is presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has gained the most all-purpose yards in his career.
Lane was one of Navy's most versatile players in his four-year career as he hurt opponents via the rush, catching passes or returning kicks. Lane rushed for 1,290 yards and seven touchdowns, caught 32 passes for 547 yards and five touchdowns and returned 56 kickoffs for 1,382 yards. Lane finished his career as Navy's all-time leader in rushing yards per attempt (8.9).
Offensive lineman Josh Goodin (Shawnee, Kan.) was awarded the George Fritzinger Memorial Award, presented annually to a member of the graduating class who, as a football interior lineman, has excelled as a student-athlete and has contributed to the overall team leadership and spirit.
Goodin was a two-year letterwinner at guard and tackle for the Midshipmen and was Navy's top offensive lineman in 2003. Goodin earned All-Independent honors from College Football News.
Safety Eli Sanders (Hartsville, Tenn.) took home the Jeffrey R. Korn Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, established by Jeff's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Korn, in memory of their son, a member of the Class of 1983. The award is given annually to the First Classman on the team who has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the football field.
Sanders was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Midshipmen. This past season, Sanders finished second on the team in tackles with 100 and intercepted two passes.
Punter John Skaggs (Cantonment, Fla.) was the recipient of the Cmdr. Ralph Sentmann Award, which honors the member of the graduating class from the varsity football team who has achieved the greatest increase in class standing from Plebe year until First Class year.
Skaggs finished his career as Navy's top all-time punter with a career averaged of 42.5 yards. In 2001, Skaggs set the school record for punting average in a single-season with a 44.8 average, while his averages in 2003 (41.4) and 2002 (41.2) rank fourth and fifth all-time.
Quarterback Eddie Martin (Fr./Cantonment, Fla.) was awarded the Collins/Roos Class of 1949 Junior Varsity MVP Award, presented annually to the most valuable player on the junior varsity football team as chosen by a vote of his teammates. Martin was the starting quarterback on the junior varsity team and gave the starting defense fits during practice in his role as the scout team quarterback. Martin will enter the spring ball third on the depth chart at quarterback, but is expected to challenge Aaron Polanco and Lamar Owens for the starting job.
