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Jan. 20, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The University of Virginia football program presented the team awards for the 2006 season Saturday night (Jan. 20) at its annual team banquet at the Abbott Center at the Darden Graduate School of Business.
Defensive end Chris Long was the recipient of three team awards-the Ned McDonald Award as the team’s outstanding defensive player, the Colonel F.C. McCue Award as the outstanding interior lineman and the Joe Palumbo Award for self-sacrifice, dedication and enthusiasm. One of the team’s captains despite being just a junior, Long had a breakout season this year and earned second-team All-ACC honors. He finished fourth among ACC defensive linemen in tackling with an average of 4.8 tackles per game. He led the Cavaliers with 12 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback pressures, while making with five sacks.
The Cavaliers improved from 60th in the country in total defense last season to 20th this year and allowed an average of 289.5 yards per game, the fewest yards allowed since 1979.
Senior tailback Jason Snelling received the Ben Wilson Award as the team’s outstanding offensive player. Snelling moved to tailback from fullback this season and led the team with 772 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He was also the team’s second-leading receiver with 29 catches for 282 yards.
Senior cornerback Marcus Hamilton was presented with the John Polzer Award for ability, sportsmanship and character. One of the top cover corners in the ACC he ranked third in the league with five interceptions and earned second-team All-ACC honors. He also broke up four passes and averaged 3.5 tackles per game. Hamilton finished his career tied with Ronde Barber for third in school history with 15 interceptions.
Sophomore inside linebacker Jon Copper was named the recipient of the Speed Elliot Award as the most improved player. Copper joined the program two years ago as a walk-on and worked his way into the starting line-up this season. He finished as the team’s leading tackler with 81 tackles, including nine for loss. He also tied for fifth among ACC linebackers with four sacks.
Junior Josh Zidenberg received the George Welsh Special Teams Award for outstanding special teams play. He played on four of the six special teams units-kickoff coverage, punt, kickoff return and punt return and was named the team’s special teams player of the week twice last season. He blocked two punts and made six tackles to lead the kickoff team.
Defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald received the Bill Dudley Award as UVa’s outstanding first-year player. After redshirting in 2005, Fitzgerald made a tremendous impact this fall playing opposite Long. A unanimous freshman All-American, he started all 12 games and averaged 5.3 tackles per game, tops in the nation among freshmen linemen and 18th among all freshmen. He also led the team with six sacks, third most by a Cavalier freshman, and ranked third nationally among rookies.