Big Ten Co-MVP's Announced

dc

A lot of people thought Wisconsin’s John Clay would be the recipient of the Silver Football Award this season but instead touchdown machine Daryll Clark from Penn State and Michigan mad man defensive end Brandon Graham took home the hardware.  The Silver Football Award is given out based on voting by the Big Ten coaches and is presented by the Chicago Tribune.  This was the first time there were co-mvp’s for this award since its inception back in 1924.


“I was really surprised I was up for the award,” Clark said during a special on the Big Ten Network. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches. I really got excited when I found out. I’m very happy and very blessed.”


Clark joins Kerry Collins and Michael Robinson as the third player to win this award for Penn State.  Clark, originally from Youngstown, Ohio, leads the Big Ten Conference in passing efficiency (145.7) as well as touchdown passes with a school record 23.  Clark also holds a slew of other records at Penn State including career touchdown passes (42) and season passing yards (2,787).  He was also 21-4 as starter…not too shabby DC.

 bg

Daryll will be sharing this honor with his Co-MVP Brandon Graham from the University of Michigan.  Graham has become the schools sixteenth recipient of this award.  With this award, it moves Michigan out of a tie with The Ohio State University and into first place for most MVP awards received.


“It means a lot,” Graham said on the Big Ten Network’s announcement show tonight. “Just being a team player, that’s all I strive for, to be recognized from that is a great honor. I appreciate everything that’s happened to me and I worked so hard to be here.”


Graham is the first Wolverine to win the award since Braylon Edwards in 2004, but he is the first defensive Michigan man to win it since a little guy by the name of Charles Woodson in 1997.  He led the nation is tackles for loss with 26 and is second only to Mark Messner (70) for career tackles for loss with 53.  He also blocked 2 punts this season, returned a fumble for a touchdown and recorded 10.5 sacks.  All in all, Graham was a bright spot in an otherwise dim season for the Wolverines.

Both Clark and Graham are both exceptional talents and more of an asset to their respective teams than they might know.  Both of these players were named their team MVPs and it was the second straight year Brandon Graham received the team award.  This a feat only accomplished six previous times in Michigan’s storied football history.  So Thunder Treats would like to congratulate these two players on their outstanding seasons and college football careers.  Keep up the good work and we hope to see you on Sundays.

Detroit Free Press

Readingeagle.com


Posted in