Football Announces 2015 Season Award Winners
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 17, 2016) – West Virginia University Football Coach Dana Holgorsen has announced the Mountaineers’ award winners for outstanding performance during the 2015 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wendell Smallwood; DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Kwiatkoski; SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick O’Toole; OFFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Colton McKivitz; DEFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR: David Long
Smallwood led the WVU rushing attack with 1,519 yards and nine touchdowns. The junior had eight 100-yard rushing performances, including a career-high 165 yards against Texas. The All-Big 12 Second-Team honoree was the Big 12 rushing champion finished No. 4 in WVU history for rushing yards in a season and No. 10 in all-purpose yards (1,679). He finished the season ranked No. 14 nationally in total rushing yards, No. 15 in rushing yards per game, No. 22 in rushing yards per carry and No. 25 in all-purpose yards.
Kwiatkoski led the Mountaineer defense in tackles for the third straight year. The ProFootballFocus All-American First Team member and All-Big 12 First-Team selection finished with 86 tackles, including three sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The senior had three interceptions, seven pass breakups and forced a fumble. Kwiatkoski registered six or more tackles in 10 games and had at least one tackle for loss in eight games.
O’Toole had an outstanding senior season, earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors. He was WVU’s punter, held for field goals and extra points and handled the kickoffs. O’Toole averaged 45.4 yards per punt, had a long punt of 65 yards and placed 25 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He also had 26 punts of 50 yards or more, 18 which resulted in a fair catch and 15 that went through the end zone for a touchback.
Seniors Cody Clay and Jared Barber were the recipients of the Ed Pastilong Award, which goes to the Mountaineers’ top player each season, taking into account on and off the field performance.
This year’s team captains were Karl Joseph, Kwiatkoski, Tyler Orlosky and Skyler Howard.
West Virginia finished the 2015 season with an 8-5 record, posting the most wins in a season since joining the Big 12, and defeated Arizona State, 43-42, winning the 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 17, 2016) – West Virginia University Football Coach Dana Holgorsen has announced the Mountaineers’ award winners for outstanding performance during the 2015 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wendell Smallwood; DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Kwiatkoski; SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick O’Toole; OFFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Colton McKivitz; DEFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR: David Long
Smallwood led the WVU rushing attack with 1,519 yards and nine touchdowns. The junior had eight 100-yard rushing performances, including a career-high 165 yards against Texas. The All-Big 12 Second-Team honoree was the Big 12 rushing champion finished No. 4 in WVU history for rushing yards in a season and No. 10 in all-purpose yards (1,679). He finished the season ranked No. 14 nationally in total rushing yards, No. 15 in rushing yards per game, No. 22 in rushing yards per carry and No. 25 in all-purpose yards.
Kwiatkoski led the Mountaineer defense in tackles for the third straight year. The ProFootballFocus All-American First Team member and All-Big 12 First-Team selection finished with 86 tackles, including three sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The senior had three interceptions, seven pass breakups and forced a fumble. Kwiatkoski registered six or more tackles in 10 games and had at least one tackle for loss in eight games.
O’Toole had an outstanding senior season, earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors. He was WVU’s punter, held for field goals and extra points and handled the kickoffs. O’Toole averaged 45.4 yards per punt, had a long punt of 65 yards and placed 25 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He also had 26 punts of 50 yards or more, 18 which resulted in a fair catch and 15 that went through the end zone for a touchback.
Seniors Cody Clay and Jared Barber were the recipients of the Ed Pastilong Award, which goes to the Mountaineers’ top player each season, taking into account on and off the field performance.
This year’s team captains were Karl Joseph, Kwiatkoski, Tyler Orlosky and Skyler Howard.
West Virginia finished the 2015 season with an 8-5 record, posting the most wins in a season since joining the Big 12, and defeated Arizona State, 43-42, winning the 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
