FAU named running back Alfred Morris its Team MVP for the 2009 season. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Morris MVP
Alfred Morris, David Matlock, Ed Bradwell and Willie Rose took home the biggest awards at FAU's ninth annual football banquet.
Originally published on
2/13/2010
by
Chuck King
>Three FAU football players injured in crash
> Photo Gallery: Shots from Saturday's football banquet
BOCA RATON – Alfred Morris’ breakout season earned him two of the biggest awards at FAU’s football banquet held Saturday at the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton.
Florida Atlantic football named Morris its Team MVP and also presented him with the Student Athlete Award.
Morris’s 1,392 rushing yards established a new FAU record and led the Sun Belt Conference. He also carries a 3.1 GPA.
‘I feel very privileged to receive the (Team MVP) award,” said Morris, a sophomore. “I thought somebody like Rusty (Smith) was going to get it. I guess I was wrong.”
For the third time in the banquet’s nine-year history FAU also presented the Team Above Self Award, which goes to a player who sacrificed personally for the good of the Owls.
FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger presented that award to senior offensive lineman David Matlock, who battled knee and rib injuries for his last three seasons.
“For three years he kept playing when most people wouldn’t play, with his knees and all that other stuff,” Schnellenberger said. “He was putting the team far above what people would think you should do. When you get a whole team full of those guys you almost never lose.”
Matlock started 50 games in a row for the Owls, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors following his senior season.
“I’m proud of it,” Matlock said. “I worked hard for everything I could do for the team.”
Senior linebacker Ed Bradwell earned the Defensive MVP award, allowing him to end his senior season on a couple of positive notes.
“I’m pretty satisfied right now, especially after that FIU game,” said Bradwell, whose 91 tackles included five for a loss. “I feel pretty good. It hasn’t hit me yet that it’s over.”
With Morris winning overall MVP honors, FAU looked elsewhere for its offensive MVP. The Owls didn’t look too far, selecting backfield mate Willie Rose.
Aside from his blocking duties, the senior fullback averaged 5.0 yards per carry and 10.4 yards per reception. He also scored twice.
“I didn’t expect that - I didn’t even expect to be nominated,” Rose said. “I think it should have gone to somebody else, honestly. I think Alfred could have gotten another award or Jason Harmon.”
FAU named wide receiver Lester Jean its most improved player. Safety Marcus Bartels earned the Ramon Rickards Memorial Bone Award presented to the player who delivered the biggest hits.
Punter Mickey Groody took home the Special Teams MVP, while senior tackle Carl Spitale was named non-scholarship MVP.