Dec. 13, 2008
The Fighting Illini football team, families and friends gathered to honor 17 seniors and the season's award winners at the 107th annual football banquet sponsored for the 89th straight year by the Rotary Club, Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
The following are the Illini award winners from the 2008 Illinois Football Banquet:
Most Valuable Player: Arrelious Benn, wide receiver
Benn finished the season with 1,055 receiving yards, the first 1,000-yard receiving year for an Illini since 2002. It was also the fifth-best performance for the Illini in a season. During the year, he put together four consecutive 100-yard games, the first time for an Illini. He finished the year with 67 catches, one in every game and five touchdowns.
Most Improved Player: Michael Hoomanawanui
In his first two years combined, Hoomanawanui had seven catches. Last year alone he hauled in 25. He was integral in the Illinois passing game ranking No. 1 in the Big Ten. He scored two touchdowns and had 312 yards.
Rookie of the Year: Jason Ford, running back & Corey Liuget, defensive tackle
Ford and Liuget share the award this season. Both athletes came to Illinois and made an immediate impact as true freshmen. Ford started two games at running back, scoring a team-high eight touchdowns. He rushed for 172 yards against Indiana, which was the second-most by a freshman in school history. Liuget did what many could not. He started as a true-freshman on the defensive line. He logged 26 tackles, five for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also ranked in the Big Ten's top 10 with two recovered fumbles.
Outstanding Offensive Back: Juice Williams, quarterback
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Jon Asamoah, offensive guard
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Derek Walker, defensive end
Outstanding Linebacker: Brit Miller
Outstanding Defensive Back: Dere Hicks, cornerback
Outstanding Special Teams Award: Nate Bussey, defensive back; Matt Eller, placekicker
I BELIEVE Key Contributors Award: Eric Block, offensive line; Will Davis, defensive end; Rodney Pittman, linebacker; Will Judson, wide receiver
Wright Commitment to Excellence Award: David Lindquist, defensive line
Lindquist came to Illinois as a walk-on. In two years he had earned a scholarship and in three was a starter on the defensive line. In four years, he totaled 132 tackles, 20.5 for loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks. 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: Xavier Fulton, offensive line
Fulton overcame great obstacles to be a two-time All-Big Ten offensive lineman. He blew his knee out as a true-sophomore as a defensive lineman and when he returned to health moved to the offensive side of the ball. Despite no experience at the position, he started every game in two years even with a shoulder injury making that feat more difficult. 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: Kameno Bell
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 Kameno Bell. Bell was a three-year letterwinner at Illinois and the 1991 MVP. His two goals were to come to Illinois as a walk on and contribute and become a physician. He did both. Bell is currently a on the clinical staff at the Hackensack Medical University, while also serving as the associate team physician for the New York Giants.
Scholar-Athlete Award: Ryan McDonald, offensive lineman (3.83 GPA in aerospace engineering/graduate school)
Rotary Service Beyond Self Award: Sam Carson, linebacker
Scout Team Players of the Year: Jarred Fayson, wide receiver (offense); Whitney Mercilus, defensive line (defense)
2008 Team Captains: Brit Miller, linebacker; David Lindquist, defensive line; Juice Williams, quarterback; Arrelious Benn, wide receiver.
