Shafer Applauds Senior Class at Annual Football Banquet

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

Shafer Applauds Senior Class at Annual Football Banquet

4/3/2015 9:25:00 PM | Football

Linebacker Cameron Lynch earns 2014 MVP Award

View the Award Winner Photo Gallery

    The Syracuse football program and head coach Scott Shafer honored 27 members of the 2015 senior class at the annual awards banquet, including 26 student-athletes and one manager. The 2015 senior class includes team captains Prince-Tyson Gulley, Sean Hickey, Cameron Lynch and Sam Rodgers, in addition to Adonis Ameen-Moore, Travon Burke, Clay Cleveland, Eric Crume, Dyshawn Davis, Ritchy Desir, Durell Eskridge, Adrian Flemming, Keenan Hale, Darius Kelly, Josh Kirkland, Jeremiah Kobena, John Miller, Joe Nassib, Brandon Reddish, Micah Robinson, Ryan Sloan, Greg Tobias, Trevon Trejo, Robert Welsh, Jarrod West, Jessie Wolf Gould and senior manager Steve Fantagrossi.

    "We have a quality group of seniors who carried themselves with integrity," said head coach Scott Shafer after personally thanking each member of the senior class. "They know how much we appreciate them. The seniors who were here for at least four years won three bowl games in their career. This past year they led a team that came together and stayed together when things got tough. There was never any finger pointing – even when things were hard. They embodied the 'Next man up,' mentality. They were disappointed, but never discouraged. I am proud of that fact. We thank the parents and families for trusting us with their sons."

     The 2014 senior class led the Orange to victories in the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowls and the 2013 Texas Bowl. At the banquet, 11 individuals were honored with team awards for their contributions to the 2014 team and the Orange football program.

    The Bill Horr Award for Most Valuable Player was awarded to Lynch. The Linebacker led the Orange with 97 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. A Capital One Academic All-District selection and member of the 2014 All-ACC Academic Team, Lynch finished his career with 243 tackles, including five games with at least 10 tackles this seaon.

   Miller won the Ray Martino Award for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance, presented to the student-athlete who best represents these attributes and who brings the best attitude, effort, and enthusiasm day in and day out. Miller started 10-of-12 games this season and centered a line that blocked for four-different ball carriers who rushed for 100-yard games. He was also named to the 2014 All-ACC Academic Team.

   A trio of defensive linemen shared the Tim Green Award for outstanding defensive lineman. Crume, Robinson and Welsh helped anchor a defensive line that combined for 38.5 tackles for loss this season and was one of four defenses in the nation to allow less than 10 rushing touchdowns on the year.

       The Pat Miller Outstanding Athlete, Student and Citizenship Award was presented to West. This award is given to the 'total package' student-athlete – a loyal and dedicated team mate who excels in the classroom, is a selfless contributor in his community. West finished his career fifth all-time in receptions at Syracuse (134) and seventh in receiving yards (1,836). A 2014 All-ACC Academic Team selection, West ranked eighth in the ACC this year with 58.3 receiving yards per game.

     The Duffy Daugherty Player's Player, Coaches Player Award is given to the student-athlete who is the consummate teammate. Desir picked up the award after finishing the season fifth on the team with 57 tackles, including six games with five or more stops. He is sixth in Orange history with 56 punt returns.

   Riley Dixon earned the Joe Szombathy Special Teams Award for the second year in a row, which is given to the most outstanding contributor on special teams. His 75 punts and 3,182 punting yards in 2014 both rank third on the SU single-season record list. Dixon was a named to the All-ACC Academic team for the second-straight year and threw the eventual game-winning touchdown pass on a fake field goal in the Orange's double-overtime win over Villanova this year.

      The Joe Alexander Excellence in Football, Scholarship and Citizenship Award was awarded to Rodgers. This award is presented annually to the player who takes a professional approach to the game of football as well as to the game of life. Rodgers, a team captain, was the team's long snapper in every game of his collegiate career. He was named a Capital One Academic All-American and to the AFCA Good Works team for his work in the community.

   A team captain, Hickey was awarded the Ben Schwartzwalder Exemplary Football Player Award given to the student-athlete whose leadership skills and on-field production embody the hard-nosed approach of the program. The 2014 All-ACC Academic Team honoree started the final 38 games of his career and was one-of-two offensive players to start every game this season.

     Fellow captain Gulley earned the Mark Hoffman Award for most outstanding back. Gulley finished his Orange career 21st on the program's all-time rushing list, with 2,063 yards and seventh in school history with 3,500 career all-purpose yards.

     The Coach Mac Intensity, Focus, Effort and Attitude Award was given to Davis and Kelly. This award celebrates the student-athlete who has represented the football program and the University with class, professionalism, passion, and intensity and whose efforts on the field have been an inspiration to everyone around him. Davis finished second on the Orange with 71 tackles and led the team with seven quarterback hurries. He finished his career sixth in program history with 37.5 tackles for loss. Kelly finished fourth on the team this year with 61 tackles and recorded his first-career interception at Clemson.

     Reddish earned the Thomas S. Pirro Award for character and coach-ability. He led the Orange in passes defended (6) and interceptions (3). At Wake Forest, he recorded a career-best seven tackles, including a sack-fumble that was returned for a touchdown by teammate Micah Robinson.

The Syracuse football team will return to action on Saturday, April 4, at the Carrier Dome for its annual Spring Game in a day filled with activities and opportunities for 'Cuse fans. In addition to a preview of the 2015 Orange team on the field, fans will have the opportunity to interact with the coaches and student-athletes following the scrimmage at 'Selfie Stations' on the Dome field and to enjoy inflatable bouncers and jump houses.

The Carrier Dome will open at 9 a.m. prior to the women's lacrosse game vs. Virginia Tech with 'Select-A-Seat' beginning at 10 a.m. There is no admission charge and parking is free in all Stadium West lots. Coupons for the free hot dog and soda will be distributed at the Carrier Dome gates. The offer is available while supplies last.

The annual 'Select-A-Seat' event gives fans the opportunity to walk the Dome and choose the best available location for 2015 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.

The 2015 Spring game will be televised live by Time Warner Cable Sports and streamed online on ESPN3.

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