http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2008/11/vikings_hand_out_2008_team_awa.html
Vikings senior linebacker Andy Schantz, a unanimous choice in voting by his teammates, was named Portland State's 2008 Most Valuable Player in ceremonies Sunday morning at Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
Offensive coordinator Mouse Davis presented the award to Schantz, a Buck Buchanan Award nominee, was second-leader tackler in the Big Sky Conference during the regular season, finishing with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, one interception and a fumble recovery in 11 games.
In Saturday's 24-21 victory over Northern Colorado at PGE Park, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from Santa Clarita, Calif., had 11 tackles, marking the sixth time in the final seven games with 10 or more tackles.
"It was good to go out with a win," Schantz said. "It might not have been the prettiest thing, but we played our butts off.
"The place is always going to be real special in my heart, just because of where I came from and the things I went through. Portland, this team and this coaching staff are always going to hold a special place in my heart. I love Portland, I love the Vikings, and this is going to be my team forever."
Sunday's other award winners:
Most inspirational: Tracy Ford. The junior transfer from the University of Idaho started the season as a wide receiver, then switched to defensive back, and finally ended up as a running back and kick return specialist, whose biggest contributions weren't reflected on the stat sheet.
Most Valuable Player: Andy Schantz. One of 12 seniors, Schantz transferred to PSU after his sophomore season at San Diego State. He wrapped up his two-year stint as a Viking with 200 tackles, including 99 solo tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 20 games.
Michael Shrunk Award for academic and athletic excellence: Drew Hubel. The sophomore quarterback and criminal justice major has a 3.8 GPA and threw for 2,912 yards and 18 touchdowns. And most folks thought Mouse was the brains behind the offense.
Special teams player of the year: Josh Nakamoto. The freshman fullback from Norco, Calif., is one of those guys who isn't afraid to put himself in harm's way on kickoffs and punts. One of his hardest hits was at Weber State when he practically knocked himself out. The final team statistics show him with only two tackles in nine games, which might be a typographically error. Or maybe it's just that there isn't a column for going in face first to bust up the wedge.
Most improved player: Landan Laurusaitis. The 6-3, 280-pound senior started the first nine games at left tackle, but really only got to play in eight. He had just started playing his best when he got his right leg caved in and suffered a torn ACL on the second play of the game against Montana. No way for a career to end (same goes for Stanley Jackson).
Most valuable wide receiver: Mario D'Ambrosio and Aaron Woods, tie. The two junior wide receivers combined for 142 catches, 1,928 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and three torn knee ligaments. The ligaments belong to D'Ambrosio, who suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday's victory over Northern Colorado. He'll definitely miss spring ball, and next season could be in jeopardy, too. Woods, meanwhile, became the 14th receiver in PSU history to gain more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He also had 1,968 all-purpose yards - the fifth highest single-season total in school history.
Most valuable linebacker: Andy Schantz. 'Nuff said.
Most valuable defensive lineman: Joe Ma'aseia and Travis Beckley, tie: One is a junior and the other is only a sophomore, so they'll both be back next season. They're both defensive ends and they both started all 11 games for the Vikings, and their job is to do the dirty work in the trenches so the linebackers can make most of the plays (and get most of the glory). That's not a knock of Schantz & Co., but the linebackers wouldn't look nearly as good as they do if it weren't for Ma'aseia, Beckley & Associates doing their thing up front. Ma'aseia had 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a sack, and did that playing with torn thumb ligaments in both hands (one that is going to require off-season surgery). Beckley had 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Most valuable offensive lineman: Moses Punzal. Nice attitude. Seriously, without that, you're nothing at the point of attack, and this is a guy that most people would want on their side. The 6-3, 315-pound junior from Kapa'a, Hawaii, has started 21 games in a row at left guard for the Vikings. On Sept. 5 at Oregon State, it will be 22.
Most valuable defensive back: Deshawn Shead. Led the Vikings with six interceptions this season, and the good news is he gets to look forward to three more years of assistant coach Alundis Brice yelling at him. Well, that's sorta good news.
Most valuable offensive back: Bobby McClintock. Does PSU have any other offensive backs? McClintock, who missed almost all of last season with a torn ACL, came back strong, finishing with 93 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns. The junior fullback from Coos Bay also had 287 receiving yards on 34 catches.
Outstanding freshman, defense: Cody Worthen. The frosh from Seabrook, Texas, came on late in the season, starting the final three games at free safety. He had a season-high nine tackles in Saturday's season finale, and ended up ninth in team tackles with 37, including 23 solo tackles.
Outstanding freshman, offense: Dustin Waldron. The 6-6, 250-pound offensive tackle out of Eugene's Marist High gradually worked his way into the rotation and then took over as the starter at left tackle after after the Vikings lost Laurusaitis to a season-ending knee injury. One of 11 true freshmen to see action this season.
Defensive captain: Andy Schantz. See above.
Offensive captain: Drew Hubel. Same.
Defensive scout team player: Dallas Kelley. A 6-foot, 225-pound true freshman from Miraloma, Calif., and Norco High School. Wears No. 64. Past recipients of this award include Deshawn Shead (2007), Branden Brooks (2004), and Jordan Senn (2003).
Offensive scout team player: Matt Orthmann. A 5-foot-9, 200-pound fullback from Yakima's East Valley High, whose uncle is the offensive coordinator at Idaho State. He probably could have played for the Bengals, but decided he'd rather walk-on at Portland State than go to school in Pocatello.
We'll leave it at that.
Vikings senior linebacker Andy Schantz, a unanimous choice in voting by his teammates, was named Portland State's 2008 Most Valuable Player in ceremonies Sunday morning at Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
Offensive coordinator Mouse Davis presented the award to Schantz, a Buck Buchanan Award nominee, was second-leader tackler in the Big Sky Conference during the regular season, finishing with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, one interception and a fumble recovery in 11 games.
In Saturday's 24-21 victory over Northern Colorado at PGE Park, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from Santa Clarita, Calif., had 11 tackles, marking the sixth time in the final seven games with 10 or more tackles.
"It was good to go out with a win," Schantz said. "It might not have been the prettiest thing, but we played our butts off.
"The place is always going to be real special in my heart, just because of where I came from and the things I went through. Portland, this team and this coaching staff are always going to hold a special place in my heart. I love Portland, I love the Vikings, and this is going to be my team forever."
Sunday's other award winners:
Most inspirational: Tracy Ford. The junior transfer from the University of Idaho started the season as a wide receiver, then switched to defensive back, and finally ended up as a running back and kick return specialist, whose biggest contributions weren't reflected on the stat sheet.
Most Valuable Player: Andy Schantz. One of 12 seniors, Schantz transferred to PSU after his sophomore season at San Diego State. He wrapped up his two-year stint as a Viking with 200 tackles, including 99 solo tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 20 games.
Michael Shrunk Award for academic and athletic excellence: Drew Hubel. The sophomore quarterback and criminal justice major has a 3.8 GPA and threw for 2,912 yards and 18 touchdowns. And most folks thought Mouse was the brains behind the offense.
Special teams player of the year: Josh Nakamoto. The freshman fullback from Norco, Calif., is one of those guys who isn't afraid to put himself in harm's way on kickoffs and punts. One of his hardest hits was at Weber State when he practically knocked himself out. The final team statistics show him with only two tackles in nine games, which might be a typographically error. Or maybe it's just that there isn't a column for going in face first to bust up the wedge.
Most improved player: Landan Laurusaitis. The 6-3, 280-pound senior started the first nine games at left tackle, but really only got to play in eight. He had just started playing his best when he got his right leg caved in and suffered a torn ACL on the second play of the game against Montana. No way for a career to end (same goes for Stanley Jackson).
Most valuable wide receiver: Mario D'Ambrosio and Aaron Woods, tie. The two junior wide receivers combined for 142 catches, 1,928 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and three torn knee ligaments. The ligaments belong to D'Ambrosio, who suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday's victory over Northern Colorado. He'll definitely miss spring ball, and next season could be in jeopardy, too. Woods, meanwhile, became the 14th receiver in PSU history to gain more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He also had 1,968 all-purpose yards - the fifth highest single-season total in school history.
Most valuable linebacker: Andy Schantz. 'Nuff said.
Most valuable defensive lineman: Joe Ma'aseia and Travis Beckley, tie: One is a junior and the other is only a sophomore, so they'll both be back next season. They're both defensive ends and they both started all 11 games for the Vikings, and their job is to do the dirty work in the trenches so the linebackers can make most of the plays (and get most of the glory). That's not a knock of Schantz & Co., but the linebackers wouldn't look nearly as good as they do if it weren't for Ma'aseia, Beckley & Associates doing their thing up front. Ma'aseia had 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a sack, and did that playing with torn thumb ligaments in both hands (one that is going to require off-season surgery). Beckley had 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Most valuable offensive lineman: Moses Punzal. Nice attitude. Seriously, without that, you're nothing at the point of attack, and this is a guy that most people would want on their side. The 6-3, 315-pound junior from Kapa'a, Hawaii, has started 21 games in a row at left guard for the Vikings. On Sept. 5 at Oregon State, it will be 22.
Most valuable defensive back: Deshawn Shead. Led the Vikings with six interceptions this season, and the good news is he gets to look forward to three more years of assistant coach Alundis Brice yelling at him. Well, that's sorta good news.
Most valuable offensive back: Bobby McClintock. Does PSU have any other offensive backs? McClintock, who missed almost all of last season with a torn ACL, came back strong, finishing with 93 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns. The junior fullback from Coos Bay also had 287 receiving yards on 34 catches.
Outstanding freshman, defense: Cody Worthen. The frosh from Seabrook, Texas, came on late in the season, starting the final three games at free safety. He had a season-high nine tackles in Saturday's season finale, and ended up ninth in team tackles with 37, including 23 solo tackles.
Outstanding freshman, offense: Dustin Waldron. The 6-6, 250-pound offensive tackle out of Eugene's Marist High gradually worked his way into the rotation and then took over as the starter at left tackle after after the Vikings lost Laurusaitis to a season-ending knee injury. One of 11 true freshmen to see action this season.
Defensive captain: Andy Schantz. See above.
Offensive captain: Drew Hubel. Same.
Defensive scout team player: Dallas Kelley. A 6-foot, 225-pound true freshman from Miraloma, Calif., and Norco High School. Wears No. 64. Past recipients of this award include Deshawn Shead (2007), Branden Brooks (2004), and Jordan Senn (2003).
Offensive scout team player: Matt Orthmann. A 5-foot-9, 200-pound fullback from Yakima's East Valley High, whose uncle is the offensive coordinator at Idaho State. He probably could have played for the Bengals, but decided he'd rather walk-on at Portland State than go to school in Pocatello.
We'll leave it at that.
