Graham Becomes First Defensive Player Voted MVP Twice
12/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 3, 2009
LIVONIA, Mich. -- The nation's leader in tackles for loss, senior defensive end Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) became the first defensive player in University of Michigan football history to be selected the BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER on two occasions. The senior defensive end was announced as the team MVP for the second straight season at the 89th annual football bust held at Laurel Manor in Livonia on Thursday night (Dec. 3).
Graham became the sixth Wolverine to earn the MVP honor twice. The previous two-time MVPs are running back Mike Hart (2006, '07), wide receiver Anthony Carter (1980, '82), running back Ron Johnson (1968, '69), running back Tom Harmon (1939, '40) and guard Ralph Heikkinen (1937, '38).
Graham leads the nation with 26 TFLs this season, including a league-high 21 in conference play, with the next closest player recording 14.5 TFLs. He registered a career-best 64 tackles to go along with the 26 TFLs and 10.5 sacks. He also contributed two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Graham blocked a pair of punts and returned another for a touchdown. He earned 2009 All-Big Ten first team honors from both the coaches and media.
A first team Academic All-American, fifth-year senior punter Zoltan Mesko (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg HS) received the DR. ARTHUR D. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD as the leading senior scholar on the football team. Mesko received his bachelor's degree in spring 2009 from the Ross School of Business, majoring in marketing and finance. He is currently enrolled in the sport management master's program at U-M. Mesko is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award as the nation's outstanding punter and is a two-time All-Big Ten first team performer.
Fifth-year senior offensive lineman David Moosman (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville HS) received the ROBERT P. UFER BEQUEST as the senior football player who demonstrates the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan. Moosman started three games at right guard but moved to center for seven starts at the end of the season. He was the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.
Fifth-year senior left tackle Mark Ortmann (Klein, Texas/Klein HS) and senior/junior left guard Stephen Schilling (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue HS) shared the HUGH R. RADER JR. MEMORIAL AWARD as the squad's top offensive linemen. The duo started all 12 games at their respective positions. This is the second straight season that Schilling has earned this honor.
The top tackler in 2009, senior Stevie Brown (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East HS) was named the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD winner as the team's top linebacker. Brown led the squad with a career-best 80 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He also contributed one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and four pass breakups.
Sophomore Mike Martin (Redford, Mich./Catholic Central HS) was awarded the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD as the team's top defensive lineman or outside linebacker. Martin set career highs in every statistical category, posting 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and forced one fumble. He started all 12 games at nose tackle.
Following are the 2009 team award recipients:
Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player: Brandon Graham
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award: Zoltan Mesko
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: David Moosman
Hugh R. Rader Jr. Memorial Award: Mark Ortmann and Stephen Schilling
Roger Zatkoff Award: Stevie Brown
Richard Katcher Award: Mike Martin
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
