Brinkley and Jones Are 2008 Orange MVPs

Senior running back Curtis Brinkley (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior defensive tackle Arthur Jones (Endicott, N.Y.) are the 2008 Syracuse Football Most Valuable Players, recognized for their outstanding performance throughout the season. Brinkley and Jones were honored along with 17 seniors and several award winners at the annual team banquet at Manley Field House on Saturday.

"It has been nothing but a pleasure to work with this group of young men," said head coach Greg Robinson of his senior class. "From head to toe this class is the most together group of seniors. They made such an effort to extend themselves to their teammates. They are a tremendous group of people."

In addition to Brinkley, the 2008 senior class includes A.J. Brown (Bealton, Va.), Roland Burke (Cicero, N.Y.), Corey Chavers (Jamesville, N.Y.), Paul Chiara (Mountain Lakes, N.J.), Ryan Donnelly (East Syracuse, N.Y.), Ryan Durand (Leominster, Mass.), Tony Fiammetta (Walkersville, Md.), Jake Flaherty (Wakefield, R.I.), Vincenzo Giruzzi (Utica, N.Y.), Ryan Howard (Carson, Calif.), Ben Maljovec (Warren, Pa.), Dan Pena (New York, N.Y.), Nick Santiago (Utica, N.Y.), Patrick Shadle (Morgantown, W. Va.) and Bruce Williams (Syracuse, N.Y.) and manager Steve Castello (Goode, Va.).

Brinkley closed his Syracuse career as the school’s 15th-leading rusher with 2,132 career yards, including 1,164 rushing yards in 2008, which ranks fifth on the Orange single-season record list. He set the Syracuse record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games in one season with five and his seven career 100-yard rushing games ties for ninth on Syracuse’s record list. Brinkley averaged 97.0 yards per game in his final campaign, which ranks 12th in the Orange record book and is 29th in the nation this season. His 237 carries are sixth on the SU single-season list and his 494 career rushes is 10th all-time.

Jones recorded 60 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss of yards, and had one fumble recovery. His 13.0 tackles for loss ranks 11th on Syracuse’s single-season record list and his career total of 31.5 is sixth-best in school history. The two-year starter has 126 tackles in his career, which ranks 13^th on SU’s record list for tackles by a defensive lineman. In SU’s win at Notre Dame, Jones posted a career-high 15 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss, earning an ESPN College GameDay ‘Helmet Sticker’ and the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week award. In 2007, Jones was the Tim Green Award winner, presented to the team’s outstanding defensive lineman.

Durand earned the Pat Miller Award presented to the outstanding athlete, student and citizen. A two-time ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Second Team selection, Durand was also a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation 2008 Draddy Trophy. He started 35 games at guard for the Orange, including all 12 in 2008 when he and the Orange offensive line blocked for Brinkley in his record-breaking effort. The Orange offense ranks fifth nationally in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.89). A health and exercise science major, Durand is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star and been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester. In 2007, Durand was presented the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizenship.

Shadle, a 2008 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, earned the 2007 Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award for outstanding performance. He scored 67 points, including 14 field goals and 25 PATs, in 2008 as a team co-captain. He closed his Syracuse career as the most accurate field goal kicker in school history (80.0 percent). He also put his name on other Orange record lists, including career field goals made, where he ranks seventh with 40, career PATs made, where his 69 successful kicks is seventh, and career scoring, where he is 10th with 189 points. His 80.0 career accuracy percentage is 12th among active kickers in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A).

Fiammetta , who played in 44 games in his Orange career, earned the Ben Schwartzwalder Award, presented to the exemplary football player. In 2008 Fiammetta was a receiving threat out of the backfield and finished as the team’s third-leading receiver (16 receptions for 127 yards) as a team co-captain. In his final Syracuse game he recorded a career-long 58 yard run against Cincinnati. Fiammetta was the 2007 Mark Hoffman Award winner, which is presented to the team’s most outstanding back.

Sophomore center Jim McKenzie (Springfield, Pa.) earned the Duffy Daugherty Award presented to the player’s player and coaches player. McKenzie broke in to SU’s starting lineup as a redshirt freshman and has been there for 22 consecutive games. He was part of an offensive line that blocked for Brinkley in his record-breaking effort. The Orange offense ranks fifth nationally in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.89). McKenzie earned 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team honors and was a 2007 BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

Santiago earned the Tim Green Award presented to the outstanding defensive lineman after leading the Orange in sacks with 4.5 for 25 yards. He also had 33 tackles, including nine for a loss of yards, and forced two fumbles in 2008. In SU’s win against Louisville, Santiago recorded a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss, including a personal-best two sacks, and had four total tackles.

Flaherty, a 2008 team co-captain, was presented the Coach Mac Award for intensity, focus, effort and attitude. Flaherty, who earned 2007 and 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team honors and is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star, played in every game during his Syracuse career. He led the Orange in tackles as a senior and finished second as a junior. His 6.8 tackles per game in 2008 ranks eighth in the BIG EAST.

Williams, who played receiver, safety and punt returner in 2008, was honored with the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance. As a defender, Williams recorded 46 tackles, had two interceptions and one fumble recovery and he had two receptions in two games as a receiver. The 2008 team co-captain played in 40 games during his Orange tenure, recording

Sophomore defensive back Mike Holmes (Jacksonville, Fla.) earned the Mark Hoffman Award for the most outstanding back. A 12-game starter at either cornerback or safety, Holmes was a key contributor in SU’s turnovers in 2008, recovering four fumbles and forcing another and recording two interceptions. His .33 fumble recoveries per game is tied for second nationally. In addition to his defensive contributions, Holmes excels as a kick returner for the Orange. His23.0 yards per return average ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and his 941 kick return yards ranks second on SU’s single-season list. In two seasons as a kick returner, Holmes has 1,293 yards, which ranks sixth in Syracuse history.

Maljovec was presented with the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizenship. He played in 45 games for the Orange, on offense, defense and special teams, posting 47 career tackles. Maljovec moved to tight end from linebacker prior to 2008 Spring practice after beginning his career as a free safety. He is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

Giruzzi won the Thomas S. Pirro Award, which is given to a football student-athlete who demonstrates great character and coach-ability. He closed his career with 96 tackles, including 50 solo and 6.0 for a loss of 15 yards, and one fumble recovery, playing in all 47 games during his Syracuse tenure. He moved to the defensive line late in the 2007 season after starting seven games at linebacker. Giruzzi earned 2007 BIG EAST All-Academic Team honors.

Syracuse University Athletics

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