Robinson Wins Chicago Tribune Silver Football as Big Ten MVP
12/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 10, 2010
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Chicago Tribune announced Friday morning (Dec. 10) that University of Michigan football sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach HS) has been named the recipient of the Silver Football as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player. The award is voted upon by the conference's 11 head coaches. Robinson was a finalist along with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan.
This is the second straight year that a Wolverine has claimed the Chicago Tribune's Silver Football Award; Brandon Graham shared the honor with Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark last season. The Chicago Tribune Silver Football has been presented to the best player in the Big Ten annually since 1924.
Robinson led the league's top-rated and most balanced offense, a unit that averaged 251.2 yards per contest on the ground and 249.8 yards through the air. The Wolverines racked up a school record 6,011 yards of total offense on the season. Robinson led the Big Ten in total offense (329.9 yards per game) and rushing (136.9).
He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by the conference coaches and the media and earned All-Big Ten first team accolades from the media. Robinson set the NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,643) and became the first player in NCAA history to both rush and pass for 1,500 yards in a season. He holds the Michigan season record with 3,959 total offensive yards and has accounted for 30 touchdowns (14 rushing, 16 passing).
Robinson becomes the 17th Wolverine to win the Silver Football and is the seventh signal caller in school history to garner the prestigious award.
Following are Michigan's Chicago Tribune Silver Football winners: QB Denard Robinson (2010), DE Brandon Graham (2009 co-winner), WR Braylon Edwards (2004), RB Chris Perry (2003), CB Charles Woodson (1997), WR Desmond Howard (1991), QB Jim Harbaugh (1986), WR Anthony Carter (1982), QB Rick Leach (1978), RB Rob Lytle (1976), RB Ron Johnson (1968), QB Bob Timberlake (1964), RB Jim Pace (1957), QB Chalmers "Bump" Elliott (1947), RB Tom Harmon (1940), QB Harry Newman (1932) and QB Benny Friedman (1926).
Robinson will lead Michigan against Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Tickets are available through the U-M Athletic Ticket Office and may be purchased online at MGoBlue.com/tickets or by calling 866-296-MTIX or 734-764-0247.
Media Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
