Illini Honor 22 Seniors At Annual Banquet
December 8, 2007
Dec. 8, 2007
The Fighting Illini football team, families and friends gathered to honor 22 seniors and the season's award winners at the 106th annual football banquet sponsored for the 89th straight year by the Rotary Club, Saturday night at the Illini Union.
The following are the Illini award winners from the 2007 Illinois Football Banquet:
Most Valuable Player: Rashard Mendenhall, running back
Rashard Mendenhall proved to be an extremely valuable member of an Illini team that won nine games for only the eighth time in school history. He broke the school season rushing record with 1,526 yards and scored a school record 18 touchdowns. He also posted seven games rushing over 100 yards, which also was an Illinois record. Mendenhall led a rushing offense that ranks fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten, for the second straight year. The team rushed for over 3,000 yards for only the first time in school history.
Most Improved Player: Mike Ware, defensive tackle
Mike Ware joined the Illini team in the fall of 2005, when he transferred from Wheaton College. He was told he couldn't play at the Division I level, but that didn't stop him from badgering the Illinois coaching staff. After only playing one game in 2006, Ware became a regular in the rotation at defensive tackle this season. He played 12 games, recorded 13 tackles, three for loss and two sacks.
Rookie of the Year: Arrelious Benn, wide receiver & Martez Wilson, linebacker
Arrelious Benn and Martez Wilson share the award this season. Both athletes came to Illinois and made an immediate impact as true freshmen. Benn started at wide receiver, broke school freshmen records for receptions and receiving yards, as well as led the team in both categories. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and has been named to three freshmen All-America teams. Wilson increased his playing time at linebacker during the course of the season, finishing the 12-game regular season with 26 tackles, three tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.
Outstanding Offensive Back: Juice Williams, quarterback
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Xavier Fulton, offensive tackle
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Will Davis, defensive end
Outstanding Linebacker: J Leman
Outstanding Defensive Back: Kevin Mitchell, safety
Outstanding Special Teams Award: Frank Lenti, wide receiver; Jason Reda, placekicker
I BELIEVE Key Contributors Award: Akim Millington, offensive line; Justin Sanders, safety; Antonio Steele, linebacker; Jacob Willis, wide receiver
Wright Commitment to Excellence Award: Chris Norwell, defensive line
Chris Norwell came to Illinois as a part of the Bridge Transition program, which helps lead students with academics. Four years later in May of 2007, Norwell graduated from the University with an undergraduate degree in communications. He is a four-year starter at defensive tackle for the Illini and this season broke the school record for career starts on the line with 45. The Wright Commitment to Excellence Award is presented to the individual who has dedicated themselves to academic excellence despite obstacles faced during his collegiate career.
Bruce Capel Award: Kyle Knezetic, snapper; Justin Harrison, safety; Russ Weil, fullback
This trio overcame great obstacles to be integral parts of this 2007 football team. In week three of the season, Knezetic injured his shoulder, which threatened his ability to long snap. Because he had never missed a snap, Knezetic battled through pain to keep his streak in tact. To this point, he has snapped for every punt, extra point and field goal in his four years as a starter. Harrison has been a four-year starter since his true freshman year at safety. Two years ago, doctors believed he could have a hip injury that would keep him from finishing his career. Three hip surgeries later and a tough recovery, Harrison returned to his spot in the lineup and hasn't relinquished it yet. Weil already plays the glamourless position of fullback, but did so while nursing a ankle sprain sustained during training camp. In the middle of Illinois' win over No. 1 Ohio State, Weil left the game with a knee injury. But has promised he will return for the team's game in the 2008 Rose Bowl. The Bruce Capel Award is given to the Illini player who displays the most courage, dedication and accomplishment throughout the season.
Monsignor E. Duncan Award: Revie Sorey
The Monsignor Edward J. Duncan Award, the Illini team chaplain since 1943, was initiated in 1994 in recognition of the more than 60 years of service the director of the Newman Foundation has provided the football team and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The award is presented annually to the University of Illinois football letterman, which has displayed exemplary integrity and dedication to this community/state/country/church through public service and citizenship. This year's recipient is Revie Sorey. Sorey played offensive guard at the University of Illinois from 1972-75. A Former Chicago Bears offensive lineman, Sorey used to create running lanes for Walter Payton. Today, with a master's degree in social work from Dominican University, he creates bright futures for young people. As education director of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, he provides scholarships and educational opportunities to more than 2,000 disadvantaged high school
students each year.
Scholar-Athlete Award: Ryan McDonald, offensive lineman (3.83 GPA in engineering)
Rotary Service Above Self Award: DaJuan Warren, wide receiver
Scout Team Players of the Year: Alex Reavy, wide receiver (offense); Ian Thomas, linebacker (defense)
2007 Team Captains: J Leman, linebacker; Rashard Mendenhall, running back; Kevin Mitchell, safety; Martin O'Donnell, offensive lineman.
