Aggie News

Update 01/24/06

UC DAVIS ANNOUNCES 2005 FOOTBALL AWARDS

DAVIS, Calif. -- Junior receiver Tony Kays, whose school-record 93 receptions were the most in the NCAA Division I-AA rankings, was named recipient Sunday of the Jerry Norris Award as the UC Davis football team's most inspirational and valuable player for the 2005 season, headlining several teams honors on at the Aggies' annual banquet at Freeborn Hall.

UC Davis finished the 2005 campaign with a 6-5 overall record and tied for the Great West Football Conference championship with a 4-1 mark. Besides the league title, the season was highlighted by a monumental 20-17 upset at Stanford on Sept. 17.

Kays finished his season with 93 receptions, far surpassing the regular-season record of 55 set by Charley Enos in both 2000 and 2001, and also the overall record of 75 established by Michael Oliva in 2001. Kays, named to All-America teams by The Sports Network, The Associated Press and the Football Gazette, finished with 1,213 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He also set a school record with 15 receptions against Portland State in September and had a career-best 212 receiving yards against Cal Poly in October.

Head coach Bob Biggs distributed several honors, including the Aggie Pride Award to cornerback Kyle Tarp and defensive tackle Ryan Sharp, the Outstanding Back/Receiver Award to cornerback Nevan Bergan, Most Improved Player Awards to receiver Blaise Smith and defensive end Mike Ng, and Outstanding Lineman/Linebacker Awards to Dan Elbanna and Ben Reece.

Ryan Ramey was named Special Teams Player of the Year, defensive tackle John Faletoese and defensive end James Amos were selected as the Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore, respectively, and center Tim Keane and linebacker Ryan Payne were awarded the Bob Oliver Award for Unsung Heroes. Running back Alex Garfio was named Outstanding Transfer and the George Belenis Awards for Outstanding Redshirts were given to Patrick Michelier and Chris Carter.

Eleven awards, most voted by players, were given during the evening.

UC Davis captains for the 2006 season were also announced during the banquet which was attended by more than 300 people. Kays was named captain for a second consecutive season and will be joined by quarterback Jon Grant, Amos and Bergan.

In addition to the awards given to on Sunday, UC Davis players have also received several other awards recently. Grant was named to the 44-player NACDA Div. I-AA Academic All-Star Team while Kays earned second-team All-America recognition by Don Hansen's Football Gazette.

The Great West Football Conference also announced its All-Academic Team on Tuesday with free safety Jonathan Barsi (exercise biology), defensive tackles Aaron Campbell (neurobiology, physiology and behavior) and Naveen Daftari (electrical engineering), linebacker Dan Elbanna (exercise biology), cornerbacks Nick Johnston (international relations) and Tarp (exercise biology) and Grant (history) each earning distinction. Members of the All-Academic Team must have at least a 3.20 GPA, be in their second year at the institution and be either a starter or key reserve.

2005 UC Davis Football Awards
George Belenis Award (Outstanding Redshirts): DT Patrick Michelier, WR Chris Carter
Mike Wise Award (Outstanding Freshman): DT John Faletoese
T. Palmer Moody Award (Outstanding Sophomore): DE James Amos
Jim Ferrier Award (Outstanding Transfer): RB Alex Garfio
Most Improved Players: DE Mike Ng, WR Blaise Smith
Bob Oliver Award (Unsung Heroes): C Tim Keane, LB Ryan Payne
Special Teams Players of the Year: WR Ryan Ramey
Outstanding Lineman/Linebackers: LB Dan Elbanna, LB Ben Reece
Outstanding Back/Receiver: CB Nevan Bergan
Aggie Pride Awards: DT Ryan Sharp, CB Kyle Tarp
Jerry Norris Award: (Most Inspirational and Valuable): WR Tony Kays

Information courtesy UC Davis ICA/Media Relations