Harris, Hart Share Bo Schembechler MVP Award

LIVONIA, Mich. -- The M-Club of Greater Detroit hosted the 86th annual University of Michigan Football Bust tonight (Monday, Nov. 27) at Laurel Manor, with fifth-year senior inside linebacker David Harris (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills HS) and junior tailback Mike Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) sharing the BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER award for the 2006 season in a vote of their teammates. The Wolverines handed out 18 individual awards, and the fourth- and fifth-year seniors received their coveted 'M' rings.

Harris		Hart

This is the first time in the history of the U-M football program that two players have shared the top team honor. Harris joins Charles Woodson (1997) as the only defensive players to receive the team's MVP award in head coach Lloyd Carr's tenure. Hart is the ninth consecutive offensive player and the 11th offensive performer in Carr's career to earn MVP honors. Hart joins Chris Perry (2003), B.J. Askew (2003), Anthony Thomas (2000) and Tshimanga Biakabutuka (1995) as the running backs to receive the team's MVP award under Carr.

In addition to sharing MVP honors, Harris was named the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD winner as the team's top linebacker and collected the MIKE GITTLESON AWARD as the player who exhibits a resolute work ethic and commitment to preparing for the game. An All-Big Ten first team selection, Harris led the team with career highs in tackles (95), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (four). He also contributed two pass breakups, his first career interception and one forced fumble.

An All-Big Ten first team performer and finalist for the Doak Walker Award, Hart was the only running back in the country to gain 90 or more rushing yards in every game this season. He carried the ball 301 times for 1,515 yards (5.0 avg.) and scored 14 rushing touchdowns, all career highs. Hart cracked the 100-yard barrier in nine of the 12 games. He also contributed 15 receptions for 127 yards.

Senior co-captain left tackle Jake Long (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East HS) earned the HUGH R. RADER JR. MEMORIAL AWARD as the team's top offensive lineman and shared the DAVID BRANDON LEADERSHIP AWARD with co-captain and defensive end LaMarr Woodley (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw HS). Long started all 12 games at left tackle and helped pave the way for the Wolverines' rushing offense that ranked 11th nationally. Woodley was voted the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD winner as the team's top defensive lineman for the second time in his career. He also won the award following the 2004 season. Woodley made 15.5 of his 33 stops in the opposition's backfield, including a career-best 11 sacks. He tied a school record with four forced fumbles and recovered four fumbles, including a 54-yard return for a touchdown at Notre Dame (Sept. 16). Woodley was a consensus All-Big Ten first team selection and the conference's defensive player of the year, and he is a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards.

The DESMOND HOWARD AWARD as the team's top wide receiver was presented to sophomore wide receiver Mario Manningham (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS). Manningham led the team with career highs in receiving yards (624) and touchdowns (nine) this season. He had a 19.5-yard average on 32 receptions and was named an All-Big Ten first team performer by the coaches.

Senior cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS) received the CHARLES WOODSON AWARD as the Wolverines' top defensive back. A consensus All-Big Ten first team selection, Hall tied the U-M single-season pass breakup record with 18, including three interceptions. He amassed 41 stops, two tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries. Hall is a finalist for the Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back) and the Bednarik Award (nation's top defensive player).

Seniors Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS) and Garrett Rivas (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit HS) shared the SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD. Breaston had 29 punt returns for 332 yards (11.4 avg.) and one touchdown and returned 17 kickoffs for 415 yards (24.4 avg.) this season. He led the team with 51 receptions for 555 yards (10.9 avg.) and one touchdown. Rivas led the team in scoring with 89 points, converting 16 of 19 field goals and 41 point-after attempts.

The ROBERT P. UFER BEQUEST, given to the senior football player who shows the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan, was awarded to a pair of fifth-year seniors in center Mark Bihl (Washington Court House, Ohio/W.C.H. HS) and safety Willis Barringer (Toledo, Ohio/Scott HS). Bihl started all 12 games at center for the Wolverines, while Barringer contributed 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and two pass breakups in 11 games of action.

Fifth-year senior wide receiver Carl Tabb (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) was the recipient of the DR. ARTHUR D. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD as the top student-athlete on the football team. Tabb has been a contributor throughout his career at wide receiver and on special teams. He will graduate this spring with a biology degree from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

The coaches' selection for the OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTOR was fifth-year senior fullback Obi Oluigbo (Laurel, Md./Episcopal HS) and the OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTOR was shared by fifth-year senior defensive end Rondell Biggs (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup HS) and senior linebacker Prescott Burgess (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS). Oluigbo, the team's starting fullback, helped pave the way for the Wolverines' No. 11 nationally ranked offense. He caught two passes for 23 yards and contributed two solo tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery on special teams. Biggs tallied career highs with six sacks, eight tackles for loss, one pass breakup and 16 total tackles on the season. Burgess finished the regular season second on the team with 48 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He was third on the team with five pass breakups and collected both of his interceptions at Notre Dame (Sept. 16), returning his first pick 31 yards for a touchdown.

Fifth-year senior safety Mike Carl (Troy, Mich./Troy Athens HS) was named the BEN HUFF CHAMPION OF THE YEAR as the player who provides leadership, focus and spirit to the demonstration squad. The award was renamed in memory of Ben Huff, a former Wolverine defensive lineman who was a member of the 1997 national championship team.

The JIM BRANDSTATTER/FRANK BECKMANN COACHES AWARD is awarded by the U-M coaching staff to the senior that best demonstrates passion, dedication and commitment to the team. The inaugural recipients of the award are fifth-year senior fullback Brian Thompson (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic HS) and senior tailback Jerome Jackson (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw HS). Thompson played fullback, tight end and special teams in all 12 games, and Jackson finished as the team's third-leading rusher with 28 carries for 213 yards (7.6 avg.) and two touchdowns.

Fifth-year senior right tackle Rueben Riley (Grand Rapids, Mich./Creston HS) was presented with the JON FALK AWARD, named in honor of U-M's equipment manager, as the player who demonstrates devotion and loyalty to the team. Riley started 11 games at right tackle this season.

The PAUL SCHMIDT AWARD, given in honor of the Wolverines' athletic trainer, went to fifth-year senior defensive end Jeremy Van Alstyne (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS). The recipient of the award is a player who displays an unshakable courage and love for the game. Van Alstyne contributed six tackles in 12 games of action as the primary backup to Woodley.

Senior cornerback Darnell Hood (Detroit, Mich./Bishop Gallagher HS) received the DEREK HOWARD AWARD as the top hustler on the Wolverine squad. Hood led the team with 14 of his 16 stops and one forced fumble coming on special teams this season.

Following are the 2006 team award winners:

Glenn E. "Bo" Schembechler Most Valuable Player: Mike Hart, RB; David Harris, LB
Roger Zatkoff Award: David Harris, ILB
Hugh R. Rader Jr. Memorial Award: Jake Long, LT
Desmond Howard Wide Receiver Award: Mario Manningham, WR
Richard Katcher Award: LaMarr Woodley, DE
Charles Woodson Defensive Back Award: Leon Hall, CB
Special Teams Player of the Year: Steve Breaston, PR/KR; Garrett Rivas, PK
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Mark Bihl, C; Willis Barringer, S
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award: Carl Tabb, WR
Outstanding Offensive Contributor: Obi Oluigbo, FB
Outstanding Defensive Contributor(s): Rondell Biggs, DE; Prescott Burgess, LB
Ben Huff Champion of the Year: Mike Carl, S
Brandstatter/Beckmann Coaches Award: Brian Thompson, TE; Jerome Jackson, RB
Jon Falk Award: Rueben Riley, RT
Paul Schmidt Award: Jeremy Van Alstyne, DE
Mike Gittleson Award: David Harris, LB
David Brandon Leadership Award: Jake Long, LT; LaMarr Woodley, DE
Derek Howard Award: Darnell Hood, CB