Jan. 22, 2005
LOGAN, Utah - Wide receiver Kevin Robinson was named Utah State's offensive most valuable player, while lineman Ronald Tupea was tabbed as the defensive MVP at Utah State's annual postseason football banquet held Saturday night. In all 23 team awards were handed out.
Tupea, a senior from West Valley City, Utah, was also named the team's top defensive lineman as well as earning the Aggie Iron Man Award for his work in the weight room. It marked the third straight year Tupea was named the team's top deffensive lineman.
Earlier this year, Tupea earned second-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors for the second consecutive season. Tupea started 41 consecutive games in his Aggie career and had 43 tackles this past season.
Robinson, who earned freshman All-America honors by a number of publications, picked up the team's special teams MVP honor in addition to his offensive award.
On the year, Robinson finished second in the country in punt return average and was one kickoff return shy of ranking in the top 20 in that category. Offensively he became the first freshman in school history to lead the team in receptions as he had 44 catches for 602 yards.
Pace Jorgensen was named the team's top offensive lineman, John Chick the top linebacker and Cornelius Lamb the top defensive back. All three return for next season.
Backup quarterback and punter Leon Jackson III and defensive lineman Emosi Fiefia were tabbed as the team's top freshmen, while wide receiver Antonio Pennyman and safety Joe Lindsay were named the top sophomores.
Senior cornerback Jerome Dennis won the John Hill Award for overcoming a serious injury. Dennis missed the last nine games of the 2003 season after it was discovered he had a blood clot in his shoulder. He returned for 2004 and responded by recording 48 tackles and intercepting one pass while starting nine games.
Senior Trent Nate was selected for the Big Blue Club Award for his efforts on and off the field. Nate majored in business and was very involved in community service.
Other awards included Otis Nelson and Eric Soboleski sharing scout team MVP honors, Andre Bala and Nick George being named most improved, Chick earning the Golden Helmet for being the hardest hitter, Jared Johnstun for most inspirational, and Travis Cox, Dennis and Robert Watts earning the captain award.
2004 Utah State Football Team Awards
Offensive MVP - Kevin RobinsonDefensive MVP - Ronald TupeaOffensive Lineman - Pace JorgensenDefensive Lineman - Ronald TupeaLinebacker - John ChickSecondary - Cornelius LambSpecial Teams - - Kevin RobinsonScout Team - Otis Nelson, Eric SobolewskiFreshman - Emosi Fiefia, Leon Jackson IIISophomore - Antonio Pennyman, Joe LindsayMost Inspirational - Jared JohnstunMost Improved - Andre Bala, Nick GeorgeGolden Helmet - John ChickCaptains - Travis Cox, Robert Watts, Jerome DennisJohn Hill Award - Jerome DennisBig Blue Club Award - Trent NateAggie Iron Man Award - Ronald Tupea
