Feb. 17, 2006
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Naval Academy football banquet was held Friday evening at a sold out Alumni Hall with several prestigious awards handed out. The 2005 season was one of historical significance as the Mids posted an 8-4 record, led the nation in rushing (318.7), won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for a school-record third-consecutive season, participated in a bowl game for a school-record third-straight year and won a bowl game in consecutive years (blowing out Colorado State, 51-30, in the Poinsettia Bowl) for the first time in school history. The Mids finished the year ranked 30th in the country in both polls, while the senior class graduates as just the sixth in school history to beat Army four times.
Senior quarterback Lamar Owens (Savannah, Ga.) won the E.E. "Rip" Miller Award, which is presented to the season's most valuable player as voted on by his teammates and the 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. A first-year starter, Owens rushed for 880 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,299 yards and six touchdowns his senior campaign. Owens set school records for passing yards per attempt in a season (10.6), passing yards per completion in a season (20.6), passing yards per attempt in a career (10.5) and total offense yards per play in a career (6.0). He finished his career with 1,009 rushing yards.
Senior punter Eric Shuey (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) was named the winner of the Roger Staubach Award, 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. Shuey rose from obscurity to become a two-year starter for the Mids. Shuey averaged 37.6 yards per punt for his career, including a 38.4 average his senior year. Shuey consistently pinned opponents deep inside Navy territory, as 17 of his 71-career punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, while just two punts went for touchbacks.
Senior slot back Marco Nelson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) won the Napoleon McCallum Award, presented to the Navy varsity football player of the graduating class who has gained the most all-purpose yards in his career. Nelson had an outstanding year for the Midshipmen, starting all 12 games and ranking third on the team in rushing yards (533 yards) and receiving yards (261 yards) and fourth in scoring (eight touchdowns). Nelson, who finished his career with 1,112 all-purpose yards, became the first player in NCAA history to return a fumble for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass and run for a touchdown in the same game when he accomplished that feat against Stanford.
A new award this season is the First Lieutenant Ron Winchester Unsung Hero Award, which is presented to an unheralded senior recognized as an over achiever and role model, as selected by a vote of his teammates. The first recipient of this award is senior defensive lineman Ed Kotulski (Utica, Mich.). Kotulski was the ultimate teammate, always working hard to make others better. Kotulski stayed with the program even though he didn't play one play his first three years and his patience finally paid off as he saw action in four games this fall, including games against Army and Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Senior defensive lineman Jeremy Chase (Norfolk, Va.) 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. Chase was a four-year starter for the Midshipmen and finished his career with 194 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. The defensive team captain this year, Chase started 11 games for the Mids, registering 49 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss.
Senior tackle Marshall Green (Baton Rouge, La.) 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. Green was a three-year letter winner for the Mids, starting 10 games his senior year. He was part of an offensive line that paved the way for Navy to be the top rushing team in the country and was named an ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-District selection. Green was also 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.
Freshman slot back John Forbes (Tampa, 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. Forbes was a starter on a junior varsity team that went undefeated for a second year in a row. Forbes is an outstanding athlete and is expected to push for playing time on the varsity this spring.
Senior defensive back Patrick Flores (Diamond Bar, Calif.) won the Lt. Cmdr. A.A. Schaufelberger Award, which is presented to the most valuable player of the sprint football Army-Navy game. Flores recorded nine tackles and a key interception to help lead Navy to a thrilling 19-16 overtime win over West Point. With the win, Navy clinched the Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship.
