Christion, Schult highlight MVFC awards

Published Nov. 23, 2016 1:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

(STATS) - Taryn Christion's emergence as the leader of one of the nation's most prolific offenses was a big reason why South Dakota State captured a share of its first Missouri Valley Football Conference title since joining the league in 2008.

The sophomore quarterback was named the MVFC's Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday after leading the conference with school records of 3,369 passing yards and 3,754 total yards. He's the first Jackrabbit - and the first sophomore - to earn the honor.

The Jackrabbits picked up two more awards as John Stiegelmeier was named 'Bruce Craddock' Coach of the Year after leading SDSU to a program record-tying 7-1 record in MVFC play and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Linebacker Christian Rozeboom took home Freshman of the Year honors after finishing with a team-best 107 tackles to go along with three sacks and five tackles for loss. He's also a finalist for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award as top freshman.

Though Northern Iowa lost 45-24 to SDSU on Saturday and fell short of a playoff berth, Karter Schult became the second straight Panther to claim Defensive Player of the Year honors. The senior defensive end finished with nation bests of 17 sacks and 24 tackles for loss to become the ninth Panther to receive the award after current Chicago Bears cornerback Deiondre' Hall won it last year.

South Dakota's dynamic two-way threat Chris Streveler was named the Newcomer of the Year, making a tremendous first impression after transferring in from Minnesota. The junior quarterback ranked third in the league with 82.3 rushing yards per game and sixth with 194.7 passing yards while also finishing 25th nationally with a 140 pass efficiency rating. He ended up with five 100-yard rushing games for the Coyotes, who only had four such efforts from QBs between 2006-15.

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MVFC POSTSEASON AWARDS=

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Taryn Christion, QB, South Dakota State

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Karter Schult, DE, Northern Iowa

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Christian Rozeboom, LB, South Dakota State

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Chris Streveler, QB, South Dakota

'BRUCE CRADDOCK' COACH OF THE YEAR - John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota State