University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Football Holds Team Banquet
12/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
December 8, 2002
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut football team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Rome Ballroom in South Campus. The Huskies recently completed a highly-successful 6-6 campaign, highlighted by a 37-20 win at bowl-bound Iowa State and a 38-0 shutout of Navy in Annapolis.
The team Most Valuable Player Award was given out to each of the team’s 15 seniors as head coach Randy Edsall honored Dwaun Black, Clewi Challenger, Tommy Collins, Steve Cully, Marc Hickok, Cliff Hill, Roy Hopkins, Matt Jackson, Jeff Larson, Jamal Lundy, Frank Quagliano, Greg Smoot Wes Timko, Joe Villapiano and Razul Wallace. The group has ushered in a new era of Husky football this season and most were a part of Edsall’s first recruiting class.
The team’s Offensive Player of the Year Award was shared by sophomore quarterback Dan Orlovsky (back) and true freshman tailback Terry Caulley (front).
Orlovsky helped guide the offense to 373 points this year, making the 2002 Huskies the third-highest scoring team in school history. Orlovsky was 221-for-366 (60.4%) passing this year for 2,488 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 128.60 passing efficiency rating. His efficiency rating ranks 39th in the nation, ahead of Florida State’s Chris Rix, Ole Miss’ Eli Manning, Boston College’s Brian St. Pierre, Florida’s Rex Grossman and Michigan’s John Navare, amongst others. Orlovsky became just the second Husky to throw a touchdown pass in every game for an entire season, joining Shane Stafford’s 1997 campaign. Though just a sophomore, Orlovsky ranks in UConn’s career top five in most passing categories.
Caulley is the nation’s leading freshman rusher heading into bowl season (11th overall) at 124.70 yards per game. He also leads all freshman nationally (21st overall) in all-purpose yards at 145.20 yards per game and is tied for the freshman scoring lead (10th overall) with 9.60 points per game. Caulley set an NCAA record by scoring four touchdowns in one quarter when he ran for three and caught another in the second quarter against Kent State. He became the 55th freshman to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, doing so in his ninth game, just two shy of the NCAA record of seven set by Emmitt Smith of Florida and equaled by Marshall Faulk of San Diego State. His 1,247 rushing yards are the most by a true freshman since Jamal Lewis of Tennessee ran for 1,364 in 1997. His 1,247 rushing yards on the season are also second best in school history and just 15 shy of tying the school record. His 15 rushing touchdowns are the third-best seasonal total at UConn as are his 16 total touchdowns. Caulley’s seven 100-yard rushing games this year tied Eric Torkelson’s school record set back in 1973.
Senior corner back Roy Hopkins was named UConn’s Defensive Player of the Year. Hopkins started the final 44 games of his school-record 48-game career, had 53 tackles on the season and broke up 18 passes, making a career-high six interceptions. The six interceptions rank tied for 15th in the nation and are the most by a Husky since Mark Chapman picked off eight passes in 1992.
Marc Hickok received the Special Teams Player of the Year honor after a record-breaking senior season. After missing the extra point on the UConn touchdown on the season’s opening drive, Hickok did not miss again, setting a school record by hitting on 47 consecutive PAT tries. His 47 made PATs this season rank second in school history while his 82 career PATs rank third amongst Huskies all-time. He also set a single game school record by going a perfect nine-for-nine on his PAT tries against Kent State.
The Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes (CPIA) Scholar Athlete Award was given to senior wide receiver Joe Villapiano, an education major. The award recognizes a senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and citizenship while making a significant contribution to the overall success of the team.
The Huddle Club Award went to walk-on senior quarterback Jeff Larson. The honor is bestowed upon the Husky who best exhibits leadership and dedication and is viewed as the ultimate team player.
The Kendall Madison Award was given to senior tri-captain Jamal Lundy. The linebacker, who graduates as the Huskies’ seventh leading tackler all-time, was recognized for being a "strong team player who’s dedication, hard work and outstanding citizenship best exemplify the strong spirit of the UConn Huskies." The award is named for the former Husky who was tragically killed in the mid 1990s while being a good samaritan in his attempt to break up a bar room fight.
The Brian Kozlowski Award was given to senior wide receiver Wes Timko for being courageous, hard working and productive. The award is named for the former Husky and current Atlanta Falcons tight end who through relentless hard work, effort and dedication has been able to have a lengthy NFL career.
In addition, UConn formally presented its Player of the Game awards for the team’s six wins in 2002. The awards went to the following:
BUFFALO (Terry Caulley - offense, Roy Hopkins, defense, Jason Dellaselva, special teams)
OHIO (Matt Cutaia - offense, James Hargrave - defense, Marc Hickok - special teams)
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (Dan Orlovsky - offense, Uyi Osunde - defense and special teams)
KENT STATE (Terry Caulley - offense, Chris Meyer - defense, Dwaun Black and Marc Hickok - special teams)
NAVY (Offensive Line and Tight Ends (Tommy Collins, Steve Cully, LeAndre Dupree, Billy Irwin, Ryan Krug, Tim Lassen, Brian Markowski) - offense, Maurice Lloyd - defense, Adam Coles - special teams)
IOWA STATE (Terry Caulley - offense, Roy Hopkins - defense, James Hargrave - special teams)
