NAU football awards: Cookus, Butler, Alford, Hawkins win top honors
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Quarterback Case Cookus, wide receiver Emmanuel Butler, cornerback Marcus Alford and punter/kicker Ryan Hawkins shared the top honors at the Northern Arizona football awards banquet.
Cookus and Butler shared the Offensive Most Valuable Player Award.
Cookus, a redshirt freshman, set an NAU record with 37 touchdown passes -- most ever by a freshman at the Football Championship Series level. Among FCS quarterbacks, he ranks first in touchdown passes, second in passing efficiency, sixth in passing yards (3,111) and 10th in total offense. He has been named a finalist for FCS Offensive and Freshman Player of the Year.
Butler, a sophomore, set a school record with 1,208 receiving yards and tied the school record for receiving touchdowns with 15, which ranks second among FCS receivers.
Alford, a senior, was named Defensive MVP. He had three interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 49 tackles.
Hawkins, a senior, was named Special Teams MVP. He leads the nation in punting average (46.3 yards) and connected on 11 of 12 field-goal attempts and all 57 of his extra-point attempts.
Other award winners were:
Jacob Julian, junior: Offensive Lineman of the Year
Zach McDonnell, senior: Defensive Lineman of the Year
Casey Jahn, senior running back: Most Inspirational Offensive Player
Josh Bamrick, senior linebacker: Most Inspirational Defensive Player
Eric Rodriguez, junior offensive lineman: Comeback Player of the Year
Jake Casteel, redshirt freshman linebacker: Defensive Competitive Greatness Award
Alex Holmes, senior wide receiver: Offensive Competitive Greatness Award
R.J. Rickert, senior tight end: Offensive Hardest Hitter
Eddie Horn, senior safety: Defensive Hardest Hitter
Dejzon Walker, senior wide receiver: Offensive Most Improved
Cole Sterns, redshirt freshman cornerback: Defensive Most Improved
Corbin Jountti, sophomore running back: Right Way Every Day Character Award
Patrick Baldenegro, junior tight end: Academic Excellence Award
Cole Norris, quarterback: Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year
Jake Skadeland, linebacker: Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year
The Lumberjacks finished their season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 vs. Big Sky competition. They were unbeaten in five home games, averaging 50.8 points in those five games.
