Dec. 13, 2008
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Mitch King and junior Shonn Greene have been named co-winners of the 2008 Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player Award for the Hawkeye football team. The announcement came today (Saturday, Dec. 13) at the team’s annual awards banquet in Iowa City.
Iowa finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, sharing fourth place in the Big Ten Conference at 5-3. The Hawkeyes accepted a bid to the 2009 Outback Bowl, which marks the fifth time in seven years that Iowa has played in a January bowl game.
Greene, a 5-foot-11, 235-pound running back from Sicklerville, N.J., recently received the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football award, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first team all-Big Ten pick by the media. On Thursday he received the Doak Walker Award, recognizing the nation’s top running back. Greene ranks second nationally in rushing yards and rushing yards per game and is the only FBS running back to eclipse 100 rushing yards in all 12 games this season. His total of 1,729 is the most in single-season history at Iowa and his 17 touchdowns are tied for the most by an Iowa player in a season.
King, a 6-3, 284-pound defensive tackle from Burlington, Iowa, was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was also chosen as a first team all-Big Ten player by both the media and coaches, including a unanimous selection by the coaches. King posted 52 tackles, including a team-best 15 ½ for loss this season. The tackles for loss total ties him for 25th nationally. King was named to the 2008 Lott Trophy, Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists this year.
King, along with seniors Rob Bruggeman and Matt Kroul were named winners of the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award. Bruggeman is a 6-3, 287-pound offensive lineman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was named second team all-Big Ten by the league coaches and media. He was also selected ESPN the Magazine first team Academic all-district and academic all-Big Ten. Kroul, a 6-3, 281-pound defensive lineman from Mount Vernon, Iowa, was named second team all-Big Ten by the conference media and honorable mention all-Big Ten by the coaches. He was also the Iowa recipient of the Big Ten Conference Sportsmanship Award. Kroul collected 53 total tackles this season, including 4 ½ for loss and two sacks. The Hayden Fry Award is given in honor of Iowa’s Hall of Fame coach who retired after the 1998 season. It goes to a player who gives that little bit extra at all times.
Kroul also received the Iron Hawk Award that is presented to a Hawkeye who gives his all every play, for the entire season, and has represented the team and school in an exemplary fashion. He was also a candidate for the Draddy Award.
Senior Anton Narinskiy was named the Forest Evashevski Scholastic Achievement Award winner. The honor goes annually to a player who displays a high degree of proficiency in both the classroom and on the playing field. Narinskiy was named ESPN the Magazine first team academic all-district and academic all-Big Ten this season.
Seniors Seth Olsen, Brandon Myers and Andy Brodell were given the offensive Coaches Appreciation Award, while sophomore Amari Spievey and junior A.J. Edds were given the award on the defensive side. Senior Gavin McGrath and Brodell received the Coaches Appreciation Award for special teams.
Sophomore punter Ryan Donahue was named winner of the Reggie Roby Special Team Specialist of the Year for the second-straight season. Sophomore Jayme Murphy received the overall Reggie Roby Special Teams Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The awards are named after the late Iowa punter who was a first team All-American in 1981 and ’82. Roby, who died in 2005, punted 16 seasons in the NFL.
Bruggemen and sophomore Bryan Bulaga earned the offensive Hustle Team Award. Defensive Hustle Team Award honors were given to junior Pat Angerer and senior Bradley Fletcher. Junior Chris Rowell and sophomore Lance Tillison were honored with the Hustle Team Award for special teams.
Team Leader Awards were given offensively to senior Austin Postler and junior Kyle Spading. Junior Tyler Blum and freshman Jason Semmes received the award on the defensive side, and junior Taylor Herbst, along with freshman Jonathan Gimm, won the award for special teams.
The Win During the Week Award went to sophomores Ricky Stanzi and Brett Morse offensively, Kroul and sophomore Brett Greenwood defensively, and sophomore Andrew Schulze for special teams.
Sophomore Allen Reisner was the offensive recipient of the Next Man in Award. Junior Chad Geary was honored on defense, and freshman Jewel Hampton won the award for special teams.
Greene and Bruggeman (offense), King and Kroul (defense) and McGrath (special teams) were named permanent team captains for the 2008 season.
The Bump Elliott Appreciation Award went to the Kinnick Stadium grounds crew of Ted Thorn, Cale Doyle, Andy Eiffert and Tony Senio.
The Player Appreciation Award was given to Dick Jacobson, who recently donated $5 million toward a new football practice facility.