Awards is part 3 of a four part review of the Brigham Young Cougars' 2012 football season. Part 1 was a general recap of the season, and can be found by clicking here. Part 2 was grading the offense, defense, special teams, as well as the position groups within each, and the coaches. It can be found by clicking here. Part 4--Highlights and Milestones will be Friday, December 1.
No analysis of a football season can be complete without giving out awards to the players who stood out. Blue Cougar football has selected its Team MVP, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and many more. Each award has three nominees. To help keep things interesting, and to spread the wealth, once one player wins an award he will be ineligible for another individual award.
Team MVP
Nominees
Squally Canada: 120 carries, 710 yards, 6 TD
Sione Takitaki: 79 tackles, 5 sacks, 12.5 TFL, 4 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups
Fred Warner: 87 tackles, 1 sack, 9 TFL, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Winner: Fred Warner
Warner led the team in tackles on the season and in five different games. He was second in tackles for loss and pass breakups. His fumble recovery against Utah set up BYU's first touchdown. His interception against UNLV sealed the game. Warner's value went beyond the plays he made on the field. He was the heart and soul of the team. During much of the seven-game losing streak, he was the one bright spot. He continued to give 100% no matter how out of reach the game seemed.
Runner up: Sione Takitaki
Offensive Player of the Year
Nominees
Matt Bushman: 49 receptions, 520 yards, 3 TD
Squally Canada: 120 carries, 710 yards, 6 TD
Tejan Koroma, Center
Winner: Squally Canada
Canada's late push gets him the Offensive Player of the Year award. He played a key role in all four of BYU's wins. His 213 yards against UNLV is the tenth most in school history. Canada was on pace for a second 200-yard game at Hawai'i before missing the second half with an undisclosed injury. He was the only player on offense with multiple 100-yard games (rushing or receiving), and he was two yards shy of a third 100-yard rushing performance in the season opener. Canada's six touchdowns was double the next closest player.
Runner up: Tejan Koroma
 |
| Corbin Kaufusi sacks the Wiconsin QB |
Defensive Player of the Year
Nominees
Zayne Anderson: 61 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Corbin Kaufusi: 67 tackles, 6 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 1 pass breakup, 1 QB hurry, 2 forced fumbles
Sione Takitaki: 79 tackles, 5 sacks, 12.5 TFL, 2 pass breakups, 4 QB hurries
Winner: Sione Takitaki
Takitaki was second on the team in tackles, and first in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries. He was the leader of the defensive line, and really picked up the slack after Fred Warner was hurt in the San Jose State game. Takitaki had two games with double-digit tackles (Fresno State, 11; Mississippi State, 10). He led the team in tackles in three games.
Runner up: Corbin Kaufusi
Play of the Year
Nominees
- Micah Hannemann 46-yard interception return for a touchdown at Utah State
- Brayden El-Bakri huge hit forcing a fumble and recovering it himself on kickoff against San Jose State
- Aleva Hifo 11-yard touchdown catch at UNLV
Hifo made a fantastic catch on this play. Just to catch the ball required a lot of concentration as the ball was coming over his shoulder. Add to that the awareness to stay in bounds. He just barely kept both feet inside the end zone long enough for the catch to count.
Runner up: Brayden El-Bakri huge hit forcing a fumble and recovering it himself on kickoff against San Jose State
Newcomer of the Year
Nominees
Matt Bushman: 49 receptions, 520 yards, 3 TD
Micah Simon: 27 receptions, 386 yards, 3 TD
Khyiris Tonga: 19 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 TFL, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
Winner: Matt Bushman
Tonga may have the most potential, but this year Bushman played the biggest role and had the greatest impact. He led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and tied with Simon for most receiving touchdowns. After what has felt like an eternity, BYU has a receiving threat and a playmaker at the tight end spot again. From game one, Bushman was making big catches that displayed the ability to be a difference maker on offense.
Runner up: Micah Simon
Most Improved Player
Nominees
Aleva Hifo: 37 receptions, 437 yards, 2 TD
Corbin Kaufusi: 67 tackles, 6 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 1 pass breakup, 1 QB hurry, 2 forced fumbles
Kesni Tausinga: 29 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 pass breakups, 1 QB hurry
Winner: Corbin Kaufusi
Kaufusi more than doubled his production from 2016 (31 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL). He led the team in sacks and was third in tackles for loss.
Runner up: Aleva Hifo
 |
| Hifo makes an 11-yard TD catch at UNLV |
Biggest Surprise
Nominees
- Missing a bowl game for the first time since 2004
- Over 37 injuries, including 25 to players on the two-deep roster
- First seven-game losing streak since 1968
Injuries happen all the time in football. Yes, the amount was ridiculous, but having this many injuries seems like something that would be more likely than losing seven games in a row. By that same token, as much as it feels like a birthright for BYU to go to a bowl game each year, missing a bowl has happened in most fans' lifetime. While it was a surprising, it wasn't as big of a surprise as losing seven games in a row.
Seven games is more than half the season. How can a BYU team lose continuously for over 50 percent of any given season? That's impossible, or it seemed that way, especially since such a streak has not happened since before LaVell Edwards became head coach.
Runner up: Over 37 injuries, including 25 to players on the two-deep roster
Biggest Disappointment
Nominees
- Offense was one of the worst in the nation
- Unreliable placekicking
- Honor Code/Off-Field issues
Winner: Offense was one of the worst in the nation.
It always hurts, a lot, whenever any BYU football player has to sit out for Honor Code or other off the field issues. Unfortunately, it happens on a regular basis, so to say that was the biggest disappointment wouldn't be honest. It is something you get used to as a fan or follower of BYU football.
Terrible offense is not. BYU has been synonymous with great offense for decades. Being ranked near the bottom of all college football in points, total offense, and other key statistical categories is a sign that things have gone completely off track. The offense was historically bad, and the reason BYU didn't make a bowl.
Runner up: Honor Code/Off-Field issues
Best Defensive Series
Nominees
- Utah State: 10:16 1st Quarter, 3 plays 9 yards, Micah Hannemann returned interception 46-yards for a touchdown
- Boise State: 14:38 1st Quarter, 4 plays 18 yards, Grant Jones intercepts the ball (BYU offense then scored to take 7-0 lead)
- East Carolina: 9:58 1st Quarter, 2 plays 17 yards, Zayne Anderson forced fumble recovered by Adam Pulsipher (BYU offense then scored to take 7-0 lead)
The momentum from that series carried BYU to a commanding 21-7 lead.
Runner up: Boise State, 14:38 1st Quarter, 4 plays 18 yards, Grant Jones intercepts the ball (BYU offense then scored to take 7-0 lead)
 |
| Micah Hannemann returns an interception for a TD at Utah State |
Best Offensive Series
Nominees
- San Jose State: 12:33 1st Quarter, 5 plays 85 yards 1:56, Micah Simon 23-yard TD catch
- UNLV: 4:25 2nd Quarter, 11 plays 74 yards 3:53, Aleva Hifo 11-yard TD catch
- Hawai'i: 15:00 1st Quarter, 5 plays 85 yards 2:33, Squally Canada 40-yard TD run
BYU managed the clock extremely well to leave just a few seconds before halftime. The score made it 14-7, and was a big part of BYU being able to take over the game.
Runner up: San Jose State: 12:33 1st Quarter, 5 plays 85 yards 1:56, Micah Simon 23-yard TD catch
Biggest Overachiever
Nominees
Zayne Anderson: 61 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Brayden El-Bakri: 17 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD; 9 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD
KJ Hall: 30 carries, 206 yards, 1 TD; 10 receptions, 111 yards
Winner: Brayden El-Bakri
El-Bakri started at BYU as a walk on. He was not rated by any of the major recruiting services. It is really quite amazing that he has earned the coaches trust to the point that his role has reached the size that it was last season.
Runner up: KJ Hall
Biggest Underachiever
Nominees
Koy Detmer, Jr.: 7 completions, 20 attempts, 91 yards, 0 TD, 3 Int., 43.2 pass eff.
Tanner Mangum: 147 completions, 257 attempts, 1540 yards, 8 TD, 9 Int., 110.8 pass eff.
Michael Shelton (PR): 17 punt returns, 114 yards (6.7 ave.)
Winner: Tanner Mangum
This one was obvious. Mangum played no where near the level he played at as a freshman in 2015. He struggled against the East Carolina defense for three quarters. He made poor decisions that turned into interceptions. His accuracy was terrible, at times. Many passes were short or just plain off target.
Runner up: Michael Shelton
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment