Cleveland, Ohio – A total of 29 repeat selections from last year’s All-MAC teams highlight this year’s postseason football awards in the Mid-American Conference. Western Michigan and Ohio, who face each other in Friday’s championship game tilt, swept specialty awards.
Western Michigan senior wide receiver Corey Davis was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Broncos Head Coach P.J. Fleck was named the MAC Head Coach of the Year, while Broncos junior kick returner Darius Phillips was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Ohio senior defensive end Tarell Basham was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year, while Bobcats freshman safety Javon Hagan was named MAC Freshman of the Year. In addition, Western Michigan senior quarterback Zach Terrell was tabbed as the winner of the 35th Vern Smith Leadership Award.
2016 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Tarell Basham, Ohio
Special Teams Player of the Year: KR Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
Freshman of the Year: S Javon Hagan, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
(CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . . . )
Western Michigan senior wide receiver Corey Davis was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Broncos Head Coach P.J. Fleck was named the MAC Head Coach of the Year, while Broncos junior kick returner Darius Phillips was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Ohio senior defensive end Tarell Basham was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year, while Bobcats freshman safety Javon Hagan was named MAC Freshman of the Year. In addition, Western Michigan senior quarterback Zach Terrell was tabbed as the winner of the 35th Vern Smith Leadership Award.
2016 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Tarell Basham, Ohio
Special Teams Player of the Year: KR Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
Freshman of the Year: S Javon Hagan, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: QB Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
(CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . . . )
A native of Wheaton, Ill, Davis started all 12 games this season and has 83 receptions for 1,283 yards (15.5 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. His 17 touchdowns ranks first in the nation and his 1,283 yards is tied for seventh in the country. This season Davis has set the MAC career receiving records for receptions (318), yards (5,068) and touchdowns (50). In addition, last week he became the all-time leader in FBS history with 5,068 receiving yards. He is the only player in FBS history with 300+ catches, 5,000+ yards and 50 receiving TDs.
Fleck led the Broncos to the program’s first outright West Division title and the first 12-0 mark and 8-0 record in the MAC in program history. The Broncos are just one of two programs in FBS that remain undefeated this season. Western Michigan’s current 14-game winning streak is the second longest current streak in the nation. This marks the second-time Fleck has won MAC Coach of the Year, as he earned the honor in 2014 for at the time leading the best turnaround in the country from one win in 2013 to eight wins in 2014. Fleck, who turned 36 on Nov. 29, is the second youngest head coach in FBS, has the Broncos bowl eligible for the third consecutive year, another program record.
Basham, a native of Rocky Mount, Va., started all 12 games this past year and led the Ohio defense as the Bobcats won the MAC East Division for the first time since 2011 with an 8-4 record, 6-2 in the MAC. Basham led the MAC with 10 sacks and was tied for third with 14.5 tackles for loss. Basham ranks tied for 16th in the nation with his 10 sacks. Basham added 44 tackles, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Basham became the all-time sack leader in Ohio history with 29 career sacks.
Hagan, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., ranked fifth on the Bobcats with 47 tackles and led the team with five forced fumbles and three interceptions. Hagan added three tackles for loss and 10 passes defensed. Hagan’s five forced fumbles tied for the lead in the MAC and ranked tied for fourth in the nation. His three interceptions ranked tied for fifth in the Conference.
Phillips, a native of Detroit, Mich., has been an electrifying runner throughout his collegiate career and has both a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown during the 2016 season. Phillips has 16 punt returns for 169 yards (10.6 avg.) and one return for a touchdown this season. In addition, Phillips has 31 kickoff returns for 718 yards (23.2 avg.) and one touchdown this year.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Terrell was voted by the Conference head coaches as the 35th Vern Smith Leadership Award winner. The award is presented annually in honor of Vern Smith, the former University of Toledo Athletic Director. Terrell has started all 12 games and has thrown for 3,086 yards on 228-318 passing and 30 touchdowns. Terrell ranks third in the nation in passing efficiency with a 183.7 rating on his 30-to-1 touchdowns-to-interception ratio. His 30 touchdowns are tied for 10th in the nation. Terrell has climbed the MAC all-time passing records charts as he now ranks fourth in MAC history with 93 career passing touchdowns and fifth in MAC history with 11,641 passing yards.
Toledo led the way in 2016 with seven First-Team selections, followed by Western Michigan and Ohio with four First-Team selections each. Overall, Western Michigan set the pace with 14 All-MAC honorees, followed by Toledo with 12 honorees and Ohio with 10 honorees.
Western Michigan’s Corey Davis was the only three-time First Team All-MAC honoree in this year’s honors. There were a total of five students named to their second consecutive First-Team selection: offensive lineman Storm Norton (Toledo), wide receiver Corey Davis (Western Michigan), defensive lineman Terence Waugh (Kent State), punter Joe Davidson (Bowling Green) and kick returner Aregeros Turner (Northern Illinois).
Fleck led the Broncos to the program’s first outright West Division title and the first 12-0 mark and 8-0 record in the MAC in program history. The Broncos are just one of two programs in FBS that remain undefeated this season. Western Michigan’s current 14-game winning streak is the second longest current streak in the nation. This marks the second-time Fleck has won MAC Coach of the Year, as he earned the honor in 2014 for at the time leading the best turnaround in the country from one win in 2013 to eight wins in 2014. Fleck, who turned 36 on Nov. 29, is the second youngest head coach in FBS, has the Broncos bowl eligible for the third consecutive year, another program record.
Basham, a native of Rocky Mount, Va., started all 12 games this past year and led the Ohio defense as the Bobcats won the MAC East Division for the first time since 2011 with an 8-4 record, 6-2 in the MAC. Basham led the MAC with 10 sacks and was tied for third with 14.5 tackles for loss. Basham ranks tied for 16th in the nation with his 10 sacks. Basham added 44 tackles, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Basham became the all-time sack leader in Ohio history with 29 career sacks.
Hagan, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., ranked fifth on the Bobcats with 47 tackles and led the team with five forced fumbles and three interceptions. Hagan added three tackles for loss and 10 passes defensed. Hagan’s five forced fumbles tied for the lead in the MAC and ranked tied for fourth in the nation. His three interceptions ranked tied for fifth in the Conference.
Phillips, a native of Detroit, Mich., has been an electrifying runner throughout his collegiate career and has both a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown during the 2016 season. Phillips has 16 punt returns for 169 yards (10.6 avg.) and one return for a touchdown this season. In addition, Phillips has 31 kickoff returns for 718 yards (23.2 avg.) and one touchdown this year.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Terrell was voted by the Conference head coaches as the 35th Vern Smith Leadership Award winner. The award is presented annually in honor of Vern Smith, the former University of Toledo Athletic Director. Terrell has started all 12 games and has thrown for 3,086 yards on 228-318 passing and 30 touchdowns. Terrell ranks third in the nation in passing efficiency with a 183.7 rating on his 30-to-1 touchdowns-to-interception ratio. His 30 touchdowns are tied for 10th in the nation. Terrell has climbed the MAC all-time passing records charts as he now ranks fourth in MAC history with 93 career passing touchdowns and fifth in MAC history with 11,641 passing yards.
Toledo led the way in 2016 with seven First-Team selections, followed by Western Michigan and Ohio with four First-Team selections each. Overall, Western Michigan set the pace with 14 All-MAC honorees, followed by Toledo with 12 honorees and Ohio with 10 honorees.
Western Michigan’s Corey Davis was the only three-time First Team All-MAC honoree in this year’s honors. There were a total of five students named to their second consecutive First-Team selection: offensive lineman Storm Norton (Toledo), wide receiver Corey Davis (Western Michigan), defensive lineman Terence Waugh (Kent State), punter Joe Davidson (Bowling Green) and kick returner Aregeros Turner (Northern Illinois).
2016 FIRST TEAM ALL-MAC
2016 All-MAC First Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Logan Woodside, Toledo
Offensive Linemen – Taylor Moton, Western Michigan !
Offensive Linemen – Storm Norton, Toledo ^
Offensive Lineman – Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
Offensive Linemen – Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
Offensive Linemen – Mike Ebert, Toledo
Tight End – Michael Roberts, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan ^&@
Wide Receiver – Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois *
Wide Receiver – Cody Thompson, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Scott Miller, Bowling Green
Running Back – Kareem Hunt, Toledo *&
Running Back – James Gilbert, Ball State
Placekicker – Louis Zervos, Ohio
2016 All-MAC First Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Blair Brown, Ohio
Outside Linebacker – Ulysees Gilbert, Akron
Inside Linebacker – Quentin Poling, Ohio !
Inside Linebacker – Malik Fountain, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Tarell Basham, Ohio %
Down Lineman – Terence Waugh, Kent State ^
Down Lineman – John Stepec, Toledo
Down Lineman – Pat O’Connor, Eastern Michigan &
Defensive Back – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan *
Defensive Back – Amari Coleman, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Heath Harding, Miami
Defensive Back – Najee Murray, Kent State
Punter – Joe Davidson, Bowling Green ^
2016 All-MAC First Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Logan Woodside, Toledo
Offensive Linemen – Taylor Moton, Western Michigan !
Offensive Linemen – Storm Norton, Toledo ^
Offensive Lineman – Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
Offensive Linemen – Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
Offensive Linemen – Mike Ebert, Toledo
Tight End – Michael Roberts, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Corey Davis, Western Michigan ^&@
Wide Receiver – Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois *
Wide Receiver – Cody Thompson, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Scott Miller, Bowling Green
Running Back – Kareem Hunt, Toledo *&
Running Back – James Gilbert, Ball State
Placekicker – Louis Zervos, Ohio
2016 All-MAC First Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Blair Brown, Ohio
Outside Linebacker – Ulysees Gilbert, Akron
Inside Linebacker – Quentin Poling, Ohio !
Inside Linebacker – Malik Fountain, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Tarell Basham, Ohio %
Down Lineman – Terence Waugh, Kent State ^
Down Lineman – John Stepec, Toledo
Down Lineman – Pat O’Connor, Eastern Michigan &
Defensive Back – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan *
Defensive Back – Amari Coleman, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Heath Harding, Miami
Defensive Back – Najee Murray, Kent State
Punter – Joe Davidson, Bowling Green ^
2016 SECOND TEAM ALL-MAC
2016 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Zach Terrell, Western Michigan !+
Offensive Lineman – John Keenoy, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Troy Watson, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Levon Myers, Northern Illinois *
Offensive Lineman – Collin Buchanan, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Cole Gardner, Eastern Michigan
Tight End – Mason Schreck, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Corey Willis, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – KeVonn Mabon, Ball State !%
Wide Receiver – Jon’Vea Johnson, Toledo
Wide Receiver – JoJo Natson, Akron
Running Back – Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan &
Running Back – Joel Bouagnon, Northern Illinois ^
Placekicker – Paul Fricano, Eastern Michigan
2016 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Trenton Greene, Bowling Green *
Outside Linebacker – Asantay Brown, Western Michigan !
Inside Linebacker – Robert Spillane, Western Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Khalil Hodge, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Joe Ostman, Central Michigan %
Down Lineman – JT Jones, Miami !
Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo +#
Down Lineman – Keion Adams, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois ^
Defensive Back – Dejuan Rogers, Toledo !
Defensive Back – Javon Hagan, Ohio
Defensive Back – Jerrell Foster, Kent State
Punter – Austin Barnes, Eastern Michigan
2016 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan *%
Punt Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
2016 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Zach Terrell, Western Michigan !+
Offensive Lineman – John Keenoy, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Troy Watson, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Levon Myers, Northern Illinois *
Offensive Lineman – Collin Buchanan, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Cole Gardner, Eastern Michigan
Tight End – Mason Schreck, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Corey Willis, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – KeVonn Mabon, Ball State !%
Wide Receiver – Jon’Vea Johnson, Toledo
Wide Receiver – JoJo Natson, Akron
Running Back – Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan &
Running Back – Joel Bouagnon, Northern Illinois ^
Placekicker – Paul Fricano, Eastern Michigan
2016 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Trenton Greene, Bowling Green *
Outside Linebacker – Asantay Brown, Western Michigan !
Inside Linebacker – Robert Spillane, Western Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Khalil Hodge, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Joe Ostman, Central Michigan %
Down Lineman – JT Jones, Miami !
Down Lineman – Treyvon Hester, Toledo +#
Down Lineman – Keion Adams, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois ^
Defensive Back – Dejuan Rogers, Toledo !
Defensive Back – Javon Hagan, Ohio
Defensive Back – Jerrell Foster, Kent State
Punter – Austin Barnes, Eastern Michigan
2016 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan *%
Punt Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
2016 THIRD TEAM ALL-MAC
2016 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Cooper Rush, Central Michigan *
Offensive Lineman – Andrew Wylie, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jake Pruehs, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Tim McAuliffe, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Logan Dietz, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – James O’Hagan, Buffalo
Tight End – Donnie Ernsberger, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Jerome Lane, Akron
Wide Receiver – Sebastian Smith, Ohio !
Wide Receiver – Sergio Bailey II, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – James Gardner, Miami
Running Back – Jordan Johnson, Buffalo
Running Back – Fred Coppet, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Tom O’Leary, Akron
2016 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Sean Wiggins, Ball State ^
Outside Linebacker – De’Andre Montgomery, Miami
Inside Linebacker – Ja’Wuan Woodley, Toledo
Inside Linebacker – Junior McMullen, Miami
Down Lineman – Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Jon Cunningham, Kent State
Down Lineman – Casey Sayles, Ohio
Down Lineman – Anthony Winbush, Ball State
Defensive Back – Justin Ferguson, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Josh Cox, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – DaQuan Pace, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Jamari Bozeman, Bowling Green
Punter – Michael Farkas, Ohio
2016 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Maurice Thomas, Miami
Punt Return Specialist – Corey Jones, Toledo ^
^ 2015 First-Team All-MAC
* 2015 Second-Team All-MAC
! 2015 Third-Team All-MAC
& 2014 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2014 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2014 Third-Team All-MAC
@ 2013 Second-Team All-MAC
# 2013 Third-Team All-MAC
2016 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Cooper Rush, Central Michigan *
Offensive Lineman – Andrew Wylie, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jake Pruehs, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Tim McAuliffe, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Logan Dietz, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – James O’Hagan, Buffalo
Tight End – Donnie Ernsberger, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Jerome Lane, Akron
Wide Receiver – Sebastian Smith, Ohio !
Wide Receiver – Sergio Bailey II, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – James Gardner, Miami
Running Back – Jordan Johnson, Buffalo
Running Back – Fred Coppet, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Tom O’Leary, Akron
2016 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Sean Wiggins, Ball State ^
Outside Linebacker – De’Andre Montgomery, Miami
Inside Linebacker – Ja’Wuan Woodley, Toledo
Inside Linebacker – Junior McMullen, Miami
Down Lineman – Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Jon Cunningham, Kent State
Down Lineman – Casey Sayles, Ohio
Down Lineman – Anthony Winbush, Ball State
Defensive Back – Justin Ferguson, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Josh Cox, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – DaQuan Pace, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Jamari Bozeman, Bowling Green
Punter – Michael Farkas, Ohio
2016 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Maurice Thomas, Miami
Punt Return Specialist – Corey Jones, Toledo ^
^ 2015 First-Team All-MAC
* 2015 Second-Team All-MAC
! 2015 Third-Team All-MAC
& 2014 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2014 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2014 Third-Team All-MAC
@ 2013 Second-Team All-MAC
# 2013 Third-Team All-MAC
RSS Feed