Steve Worthy named Michigan Tech football MVP
Courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Senior wide receiver Steve Worthy (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) earned the Al Bovard Award (team’s most valuable player) and 12 others were honored as the Michigan Tech football team handed out its awards last week.
Worthy had a breakout senior season with 50 pass receptions for 831 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011. He averaged 16.6 yards per catch and came within one of the school record for receiving touchdowns in a season (nine). Worthy, who did tie the Tech mark for receiving touchdowns in a game (three at Grand Valley State), also earned the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player Award.
The Fred Baird Memorial Award for the team’s defensive player of the year went to Todd Storm (Calumet, Mich.) for the second straight year. The All-American and two-time GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year posted 68 tackles and 7.5 sacks on the season. He ranked second in the GLIAC in sacks per game and finished his career with 18.5 sacks—third-most all-time at Michigan Tech.
Other defensive awards went to seniors Drew Vanderlin (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest), Jesse Vandenberg (Kaukauna, Wis.) and Ben Foelker (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest). Vanderlin was the team’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman with 33 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season. The team co-captain, who concluded his career second all-time at Tech with 20.0 sacks, was also given the Iron Man Award.
Vandenberg and Foelker were co-recipients of the Outstanding Defensive Back Award. Vandenberg, a strong safety, paced the team in tackles for the third straight year with 84. He wrapped up a four-year career fifth all-time at Michigan Tech in tackles with 304. Foelker, a free safety, posted 55 tackles and two interceptions in his final season at Tech.
The squad’s Outstanding Freshman Award was presented to quarterback Tyler Scarlett (Clarkston, Mich.), who was also the team’s Outstanding Offensive Back. Scarlett enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, setting school records in completion percentage (66.1), passing yards (2,406) and completions (199). He accounted for 18 touchdowns (two shy of the school record) while starting all 11 games. Scarlett was the GLIAC Freshman of the Year in 2011.
The Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award went to senior Matt Gaudard (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.), who started all 11 games at right tackle for an offense that averaged 374 yards per game.
Cornerback Kenny Stiger (Anaheim, Calif.) was given the Daniel Dopp Memorial Award as the squad’s special teams player of the year. Stiger returned both kickoffs and punts on the season.
The Omer LaJeunesse Award recipient for the second consecutive fall was defensive end Jacob Clark (Lansing, Mich./Catholic Central). The junior, who possesses a 3.96 cumulative grade point average in civil engineering, was recently named an Academic All-American.
The Ted Kearly Award, which is given to a player who played and practiced with great passion, pride and integrity for Michigan Tech football, went to senior defensive back Tom Tollefson (De Pere, Wis.).
Senior defensive back Chet White (Rhinelander, Wis.) earned the Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award.
The scout team players of the year went to running back Josh Hauswirth (White Bear Lake, Minn.) on offense and defensive lineman Tanner Agen (Kaukauna, Wis.) on defense.
Michigan Tech finished its 89th season of football with a 7-4 overall record and 6-4 mark in the GLIAC.