FCS Awards

By JOSH BUCHANAN

FCS POSTSEASON AWARDS
National Champion Richmond and Big Sky Auto Bid Weber State led with five selections to the teams while SoCon Auto Bid App State and CAA Auto Bid James Madison had four selections each.

Richmond also led in the national awards with two winners while ASU, EWU, and TSU each had one selection.

Below are the selections for each major award and complete All-America teams.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.- The junior signal-caller won the Walter Payton award in one of the most lopsided victories in the history of the award after rushing for 941 yards and 11 scores while passing for 2,902 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. He ranked second nationally in passing efficiency, seventh in total offense (296 yards per game, 3,843 total yards) and 11th in passing yards as well.
Others Considered: QB Rodney Landers, James Madison, Sr.; RB Herb Donaldson, Western Illinois, Sr.; QB Cameron Higgins, Weber State, Soph.; WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly, Sr.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DE Greg Peach, Eastern Washington, Sr.- Peach also took home the coveted 2008 Buck Buchanan Award in the largest margin in the history of the award after posting 18 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, and recording six multi-sack games throughout the season. His final year also included a four-sack game against National Runner-Up Montana on October 11.
Others Considered: DE Jovan Belcher, Maine, Sr.; LB Nathan Williams, Murray State, Sr.; S Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, Soph.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
OT Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State, Sr.- Lewis, a former Florida State transfer, earned All-OVC honors for the second straight year on his way to All-America honors by the AP and is considered a prime NFL prospect rated anywhere from the 3rd-6th round by NFL insiders. Lewis has also been invited to participate in the prestigious 2009 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Others Considered: OT Nick Hennessey, Colgate, Sr.; OG Matthew McCracken, Richmond, Jr.; OG Colin Dow, Montana, Sr.; C Stephen Field, Cal Poly, Sr.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MVP
RB Josh Vaughan, Richmond, Sr.- Vaughan did as he had over the course of the year and led the Spiders in rushing with 162 yards and one touchdown on 23 attempts in their 24-7 win over Montana in the FCS National Championship game. He also had one catch for four yards in the contest. Vaughan finished his senior campaign with 1,884 yards and 20 touchdowns on 355 carries through 16 games.
Others Considered: None.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Mike London, Richmond- After Richmond entered the playoffs as the #3 CAA team they went on a tear to defeat four straight ranked teams, including the three-time defending champion Appalachian State Mountaineers in Boone, NC and then defeated Northern Iowa on the road and Montana in the championship game. London led the Spiders to a 13-3 record and a unanimous #1 ranking.
Others Considered: None.

Photo Credit: ASU Sports Information/Keith Cline