2017 MTU Football Award Winners Announced
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech football program recently announced the 2017 team awards at the annual postseason meeting. Headlining the list of honorees is senior running back John Williams, who was named the Alan Bovard Most Valuable Player.
Williams, who hails from White Lake, Michigan, also earned the Offensive Back of the Year Award. Williams powered the Huskies' rushing attack by covering 842 yards on the ground with a team high 11 touchdowns. He averaged five yards per carry and broke loose for a 68-yard run this season. He had the second most rushing touchdowns in the GLIAC and was 33rd in all of NCAA Division II at the conclusion of the regular season. Williams finished his Tech career with 2,087 total rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He is one of ten players in the history of Tech football to eclipse 2,000 career yards.
Marvin Wright, a sophomore linebacker from Lansing, Michigan, was selected for the Fred Baird Memorial Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Wright paced the Huskies' defense in tackles for the second consecutive season with 102.0. He also produced two sacks, had a team high 11 tackles for a loss, and three interceptions. He also had one of Tech's six blocked kicks this season on special teams. Wright ranked third in the GLIAC in total tackles per game 9.3 and 32nd in NCAA Division II. Through two seasons as a Husky, Wright has piled up 198.0 total tackles and four interceptions.
Junior Cody Goldsworthy was chosen as the Defensive Lineman of the Year after a solid 2017 season. Goldsworthy, a defensive end from L'Anse, Michigan, averaged 4.2 tackles per game and led the Huskies in sacks (3) and was second in tackles for a loss (9.5). His tackles for a loss totals cost opposing offenses 48 yards and his three sacks resulted in a loss of 27 yards. Goldsworthy also recovered a fumble which setup a touchdown in Tech's win over Davenport. His tackle totals of 46 were a single season career high as well as his 9.5 tackles for a loss. Goldsworthy will enter his senior season in 2018 with 106 career tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for a loss.
This year's Defensive Back of the Year honors went to junior Graham Hubbell. Hubbell, a native of Plainwell, Michigan, played in all 11 games and tallied 68 total tackles, including 50 solo stops. He averaged 6.2 tackles per game, had three tackles for a loss, five pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.
Jacob Wenzlick was the recipient of the Daniel Dopp Memorial Outstanding Special Teams Player and Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year awards. Wenzlick, a sophomore wide receiver from Meridian, Michigan, emerged as one of Tech's top receivers and kick returners. Wenzlick led the Huskies with 41 total receptions and 444 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per catch with a pair of touchdowns. He hauled in a 75-yard touchdown catch in Michigan Tech's win over Northern Michigan in the annual Miner's Cup game.
In the return game, Wenzlick brought back 17 kickoffs for 526 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown. He averaged 30.9 yards per kickoff return at Sherman Field against Wayne State. Wenzlick was also a weapon in the punt return game as well, with 15 total returns for 122 yards. Wenzlick was named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week in week one against Truman State when he racked up 124 return yards. Wenzlick ranks third in the GLIAC in combined return yards (648) which is 35th most nationally in NCAA Division II.
Jeremy Bell was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Bell, a junior left tackle from Negaunee, Michigan, played in all 11 games for Michigan Tech and anchored the offensive line this season. The Huskies averaged 136.6 yards per game (1,503 total yards) on the ground and produced 15 rushing touchdowns. Bell and the Tech offensive line also ranked fourth in the GLIAC in fewest tackles for a loss allowed per game (5.18).
Senior Hilding Beaudoin was chosen as this year's Iron Man Award winner. Beaudoin, a defensive lineman from Kingsford, Michigan, ended the year with 24 tackles which included 3.5 tackles for a loss. He also recorded one sack and a pass breakup during the 2017 campaign.
Fullback Jordan Ferguson was picked as the Freshman of the Year. Ferguson was an instrumental lead blocker in the Tech running game as well as catching passes out of the backfield. Ferguson, who hails from Alpena, Michigan, led all running backs on the team with 12 receptions for 169 yards, which averaged out to 14.1 yards per catch.
Senior defensive back Mitchell Ryan was picked for this year's Ted Kearly Award. The Ted Kearly Award goes to a player who exhibits passion, pride, and integrity on and off the field. Ryan, a native of Fenton, Michigan, collected 24 tackles, forced a fumble, and had a pass breakup on the defensive side of the football in 2017.
Senior quarterback Jake Brown was this year's Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award honoree. Brown, who hails from Comstock Park, Michigan, played in all 11 games where he completed 96 passes for 1,085 yards and six touchdowns. Brown also carried the ball 35 times for 158 total yards.
Senior wide receiver David Falish garnered the Omer LaJeunesse Award for Scholastic Achievement for the second consecutive season. The Scout Team Players of the Year were freshman wide receiver Evan Sivec on the offensive side of the ball and freshman lineman Ashok Ravindran on the defensive side of the ball.
Michigan Tech wrapped up the year 4-7, but claimed the Miner's Cup for the eighth straight season with a 28-21 victory over rival Northern Michigan in week five of the season. The Huskies are now on the recruiting trail and making preparations for the 2018 campaign.