Quarterback Ryan Nassib, a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, earned the 2012 Bill Horr Most Valuable Player award.
Shafer Cites Seniors for Cuse Success
4/19/2013 9:40:00 PM | Football
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The Syracuse football program and head coach Scott Shafer honored 20 members of the 2012 senior class at the annual awards banquet, including 17 student-athletes and three managers. The 2012 senior class includes team captains Siriki Diabate, Ryan Nassib, Justin Pugh and Shamarko Thomas, in addition to Lou Alexander, Dom Anene, Zak Chibane, Carl Cutler, Deon Goggins, James Jarrett, Alec Lemon, Ryan Lichtenstein, Andrew Phillips, Marcus Sales, Brandon Sharpe, David Stevens and Dan Vaughan, and senior managers Darius Rose, Josh Evans and Aaron Rudy.
"These seniors took a program that was in the depths of NCAA football and brought us to a championship," Shafer said. "It is hard to be a champion. This senior class is full of champions. You believed when no one else believed. This group said, 'No more' and you turned it around. You taught us to fight when all we had was faith in one another. You pushed forward when everyone on the outside said, 'No way.' You played the game with great respect.
"I want to thank Coach Marrone and the previous coaching staff for leading the program," Shafer continued. "I appreciate the foundation that was laid under his leadership. I am proud to have been part of that staff."
Twelve individuals were honored with team awards for their contributions to the 2012 team and the Orange football program.
The Bill Horr Award for Most Valuable Player was awarded to Nassib, a 2012 Pro Football Weekly All-American, National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, ECAC FBS All-Star and All-BIG EAST Second Team selection. A 2012 team captain, Nassib participated in the 2013 Senior Bowl. He BIG EAST and Syracuse career record for completions and Orange records for completions in a game, consecutive games with a touchdown pass (11), passing yards in a game (vs. Northwestern), season and career, passing touchdowns in a season and total offense in a game (vs. Northwestern) and a season. He is pursuing his Master's degree in accounting after earning a dual degree in managerial accounting and finance.
Stevens won the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance. He caught 29 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown in 37 career games, including a career-best game against Rutgers with six receptions for 60 yards in 2012. Stevens earned undergraduate degrees in forensic science and sociology and currently working toward Master's degree in forensic science.\
Sharpe and Goggins shared the Tim Green Award for outstanding defensive lineman. A 2012 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Sharpe posted 6.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks against Pittsburgh. He is the fourth Orange player to have at least four sacks in a game. His 6.0 tackles for a loss is second on the Syracuse single-game record list. He led Syracuse defense that ranked sixth in the nation and led the BIG EAST in tackles for a loss.
Goggins' 53 tackles were the most for a defensive lineman this season. He also had 8.5 tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery. Against Rutgers, he had a career-best 11 tackles. Goggins was nominated for the AFCA Good Works team, which honors college football players for their off-the-field dedication to making a difference in their communities.
A 2011 and 2012 BIG EAST All-Academic selection, Chibane won the Pat Miller Award, which is given to an outstanding athlete, student and citizen. Chibane was a three-year starter on the offensive line that blocked for 1,000-yard rushers each season, including Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Jerome Smith. He started 38 of the 49 games he played for the Orange
The Duffy Daugherty Player's Player, Coaches Player Award was presented to Pugh. A 2011 and 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and 2010 second-team all-league honoree, Pugh started all 34 games he played for the Orange. He blocked for 1,000-yard rushers Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Jerome Smith in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2012, Pugh served as a team captain.
A three-year letter winner at SU, Vaughan earned the Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award after leading Syracuse's kickoff coverage unit that ranked second nationally and led the BIG EAST. A four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection, Vaughan played in all 50 games in his Syracuse career, including 11 starts. In 2011, he recorded a career-high 15 tackles against Rutgers. Vaughan earned undergraduate degrees in finance from the Whitman School of Management and currently working toward Master's degree in television, radio and film at the Newhouse School of Public Communications
A 2012 team captain, Diabate earned the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizenship. Second on the team in tackles (69) in his first season as the starting middle linebacker. He recorded a career-high 13 tackles against Rutgers this season. Diabate played in 24 games, including 12 starts in his two seasons at Syracuse.
A 2012 unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Lemon earned the Ben Schwartzwalder Exemplary Football Player Award. He was also honored as a 2012 ECAC FBS All-Star and participated in the 2013 Senior Bowl. Lemon set Syracuse records for receptions in a season and career. He is the only Syracuse receiver to record back-to-back 150-yard receiving game, which he accomplished twice. Lemon ranks second on Syracuse's career receiving yards record list (2,596 yards) and fourth on the career receiving touchdowns record list (18). In 2012, he had a career-day with 12 receptions for 244 yards, which is five yards shy of the Syracuse single-game record, and two touchdowns, in Syracuse's come-from-behind win at Missouri.
Junior Jerome Smith earned the Mark Hoffman Award for most outstanding back. He rushed for 1,171 yards, which ranks fifth on the Syracuse single-season record list and is the 11th Orange running back to have a 1,000-yard season. He had five 100-yard rushing games in 2012, which ties for 11th in school history. Against Louisville, Smith rushed for a career-best 144 yards and one touchdown
The Coach "Mac" Award for intensity, focus, effort and attitude was presented to Thomas. A 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and ECAC FBS All-Star, Thomas ranks fifth on the Syracuse record list for tackles by a defensive back (263). The team captain led the SU defense with 88 tackles and he posted a career-best 14 tackles against Cincinnati in 2012
Cutler earned the Thomas S. Pirro Award for character and coach-ability. A 2010 and 2012 BIG EAST All-Academic selection, Cutler played in all 12 games as a sophomore, including two starts. He missed 2010 and 2011 seasons due to a knee injury, but returned to play in all 13 games in 2012.
Shafer and the 2013 Orange will host the annual Spring game on Saturday, April 20, at the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m.). The Syracuse squad will be split up into two teams for the game. Fans are invited onto the field for a 30 minute autograph session with the team following the game.
There is no admission charge and parking is free in all Stadium West lots. The Dome gates open at 10:00 a.m. for the 'Select-A-Seat' program while the team takes the field for pre-game warm-ups. Fans are invited to enter the Carrier Dome through the lower level gates (A, B, C, D, E and F).
The annual 'Select-A-Seat' event gives fans the opportunity to walk the Dome and choose the best available location for 2013 season tickets. A sampling of available seats will be marked in each section, and members from the Carrier Dome Box Office will be on hand to assist with the selection process and to answer any questions. In addition, fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for Syracuse's season-opener against Penn State at MetLife Stadium. All fans who buy their tickets through the Carrier Dome Box Office have the opportunity for the best seats behind the Orange bench.
All fans are invited to join 'Orangenation Rising,' a state of mind where passion, tradition and die-hard loyalty intersect, by renewing their season tickets or reserving new 2013 season tickets with a $25 deposit. Fans can use the internet (SUAthletics.com), telephone (888-DOME-TIX), or visit the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at just $99 each.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football) and Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball). Check out exclusive videos on Orange All-Access and behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram (syracuseathletics).
The Syracuse football program and head coach Scott Shafer honored 20 members of the 2012 senior class at the annual awards banquet, including 17 student-athletes and three managers. The 2012 senior class includes team captains Siriki Diabate, Ryan Nassib, Justin Pugh and Shamarko Thomas, in addition to Lou Alexander, Dom Anene, Zak Chibane, Carl Cutler, Deon Goggins, James Jarrett, Alec Lemon, Ryan Lichtenstein, Andrew Phillips, Marcus Sales, Brandon Sharpe, David Stevens and Dan Vaughan, and senior managers Darius Rose, Josh Evans and Aaron Rudy.
"These seniors took a program that was in the depths of NCAA football and brought us to a championship," Shafer said. "It is hard to be a champion. This senior class is full of champions. You believed when no one else believed. This group said, 'No more' and you turned it around. You taught us to fight when all we had was faith in one another. You pushed forward when everyone on the outside said, 'No way.' You played the game with great respect.
"I want to thank Coach Marrone and the previous coaching staff for leading the program," Shafer continued. "I appreciate the foundation that was laid under his leadership. I am proud to have been part of that staff."
Twelve individuals were honored with team awards for their contributions to the 2012 team and the Orange football program.
The Bill Horr Award for Most Valuable Player was awarded to Nassib, a 2012 Pro Football Weekly All-American, National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, ECAC FBS All-Star and All-BIG EAST Second Team selection. A 2012 team captain, Nassib participated in the 2013 Senior Bowl. He BIG EAST and Syracuse career record for completions and Orange records for completions in a game, consecutive games with a touchdown pass (11), passing yards in a game (vs. Northwestern), season and career, passing touchdowns in a season and total offense in a game (vs. Northwestern) and a season. He is pursuing his Master's degree in accounting after earning a dual degree in managerial accounting and finance.
Stevens won the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance. He caught 29 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown in 37 career games, including a career-best game against Rutgers with six receptions for 60 yards in 2012. Stevens earned undergraduate degrees in forensic science and sociology and currently working toward Master's degree in forensic science.\
Sharpe and Goggins shared the Tim Green Award for outstanding defensive lineman. A 2012 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Sharpe posted 6.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks against Pittsburgh. He is the fourth Orange player to have at least four sacks in a game. His 6.0 tackles for a loss is second on the Syracuse single-game record list. He led Syracuse defense that ranked sixth in the nation and led the BIG EAST in tackles for a loss.
Goggins' 53 tackles were the most for a defensive lineman this season. He also had 8.5 tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery. Against Rutgers, he had a career-best 11 tackles. Goggins was nominated for the AFCA Good Works team, which honors college football players for their off-the-field dedication to making a difference in their communities.
A 2011 and 2012 BIG EAST All-Academic selection, Chibane won the Pat Miller Award, which is given to an outstanding athlete, student and citizen. Chibane was a three-year starter on the offensive line that blocked for 1,000-yard rushers each season, including Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Jerome Smith. He started 38 of the 49 games he played for the Orange
The Duffy Daugherty Player's Player, Coaches Player Award was presented to Pugh. A 2011 and 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and 2010 second-team all-league honoree, Pugh started all 34 games he played for the Orange. He blocked for 1,000-yard rushers Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Jerome Smith in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2012, Pugh served as a team captain.
A three-year letter winner at SU, Vaughan earned the Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award after leading Syracuse's kickoff coverage unit that ranked second nationally and led the BIG EAST. A four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection, Vaughan played in all 50 games in his Syracuse career, including 11 starts. In 2011, he recorded a career-high 15 tackles against Rutgers. Vaughan earned undergraduate degrees in finance from the Whitman School of Management and currently working toward Master's degree in television, radio and film at the Newhouse School of Public Communications
A 2012 team captain, Diabate earned the Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizenship. Second on the team in tackles (69) in his first season as the starting middle linebacker. He recorded a career-high 13 tackles against Rutgers this season. Diabate played in 24 games, including 12 starts in his two seasons at Syracuse.
A 2012 unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Lemon earned the Ben Schwartzwalder Exemplary Football Player Award. He was also honored as a 2012 ECAC FBS All-Star and participated in the 2013 Senior Bowl. Lemon set Syracuse records for receptions in a season and career. He is the only Syracuse receiver to record back-to-back 150-yard receiving game, which he accomplished twice. Lemon ranks second on Syracuse's career receiving yards record list (2,596 yards) and fourth on the career receiving touchdowns record list (18). In 2012, he had a career-day with 12 receptions for 244 yards, which is five yards shy of the Syracuse single-game record, and two touchdowns, in Syracuse's come-from-behind win at Missouri.
Junior Jerome Smith earned the Mark Hoffman Award for most outstanding back. He rushed for 1,171 yards, which ranks fifth on the Syracuse single-season record list and is the 11th Orange running back to have a 1,000-yard season. He had five 100-yard rushing games in 2012, which ties for 11th in school history. Against Louisville, Smith rushed for a career-best 144 yards and one touchdown
The Coach "Mac" Award for intensity, focus, effort and attitude was presented to Thomas. A 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and ECAC FBS All-Star, Thomas ranks fifth on the Syracuse record list for tackles by a defensive back (263). The team captain led the SU defense with 88 tackles and he posted a career-best 14 tackles against Cincinnati in 2012
Cutler earned the Thomas S. Pirro Award for character and coach-ability. A 2010 and 2012 BIG EAST All-Academic selection, Cutler played in all 12 games as a sophomore, including two starts. He missed 2010 and 2011 seasons due to a knee injury, but returned to play in all 13 games in 2012.
Shafer and the 2013 Orange will host the annual Spring game on Saturday, April 20, at the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m.). The Syracuse squad will be split up into two teams for the game. Fans are invited onto the field for a 30 minute autograph session with the team following the game.
There is no admission charge and parking is free in all Stadium West lots. The Dome gates open at 10:00 a.m. for the 'Select-A-Seat' program while the team takes the field for pre-game warm-ups. Fans are invited to enter the Carrier Dome through the lower level gates (A, B, C, D, E and F).
The annual 'Select-A-Seat' event gives fans the opportunity to walk the Dome and choose the best available location for 2013 season tickets. A sampling of available seats will be marked in each section, and members from the Carrier Dome Box Office will be on hand to assist with the selection process and to answer any questions. In addition, fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for Syracuse's season-opener against Penn State at MetLife Stadium. All fans who buy their tickets through the Carrier Dome Box Office have the opportunity for the best seats behind the Orange bench.
All fans are invited to join 'Orangenation Rising,' a state of mind where passion, tradition and die-hard loyalty intersect, by renewing their season tickets or reserving new 2013 season tickets with a $25 deposit. Fans can use the internet (SUAthletics.com), telephone (888-DOME-TIX), or visit the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at just $99 each.
For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football) and Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball). Check out exclusive videos on Orange All-Access and behind-the-scenes pictures on Instagram (syracuseathletics).
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