University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Football Hands Out 2005 Season Awards
2/9/2006 7:00:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS - Sophomore quarterback Eric Sanders (Oelwein, Iowa) and senior safety Tanner Varner (Ottumwa, Iowa) were named the University of Northern Iowa's Most Valuable Players at the team's annual football banquet at the Pipac Center. Senior Kevin Stensrud (Lake Mills, Iowa) was named the Special Teams Most Valuable Player.
Sanders, a second-team CollegeSportsReport.com All-American, started 13 games this season and passed for 2,929 yards and 23 touchdowns. Sanders passing efficiency rating (168.2) ranks as the second-best in school history. Sanders set a Gateway Conference record with a 68.3 percent completion ratio. Sanders has compiled a record of 17-3 as a starter at UNI, including an impressive 3-1 mark in postseason play. In the 2005 postseason, Sanders passed for a I-AA best 1,113 yards on 87-of-127 passing. He threw seven touchdowns and only one interception in the four playoff games. Sanders passed for a career-high 417 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-31 passing to lead the Panthers to a 40-37 overtime win over Texas State in the I-AA national semifinals.
Varner, a first-team Football Gazette All-American, tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Varner's final collegiate interception came against Appalachian State in the NCAA I-AA National Championship game. Varner ranked second on the team in tackles with 85.5. Varner also ranked on the squad with 13.5 tackles-for-loss. Varner notched four quarterback sacks on the season.
Stensrud served as the long snapper for the UNI punt, field goal and extra point squads. Stensrud's timely snaps allowed junior kicker Brian Wingert to set a UNI single-season record with 51 extra points. Stensrud also notched 22 total tackles on the defensive line as a starter. Stensrud racked up seven tackles-for-loss and two quarterback sacks.
Senior Jason Breeland (St. Louis, Mo.) was awarded the Stan Sheriff Award (Oil Can Award) by the UNI coaching staff. This award is given to the player who helps the team perform in the smoothest manner. Breeland saw action in all 15 games and tallied 24 catches for 274 yards. Breeland caught a season-high eight passes for 98 yards in the Panthers' 41-38 first-round playoff win over Eastern Washington in the UNI-Dome. Breeland also nabbed a four passes for 35 yards in UNI's 40-37 overtime win over Texas State in the national semifinals. Breeland also rushed for 168 yards on 24 carries. He had at least one rushing attempt in 12 of the Panthers' 15 games.
Senior center John Schabilion (Bettendorf, Iowa) was given the Don Erusha Most Valuable Offensive Lineman award. The award is named after former UNI assistant coach Don Erusha. Schabilion started the first 10 games of the season at the center spot and guided the Panthers to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. Unfortunately, Schabilion suffered a knee injury in UNI's 25-24 come-from-behind victory over Southern Illinois and did not play the rest of the season. Schabilion earned first-team academic all-Gateway honors and was one of seven finalists for the 8th annual Athletic Director's Association Academic postgraduate scholarship award.
Freshmen linebacker Osayi Ehigiamusoe (Concordville, Pa.) and wide receiver Everett Roberts (Waterloo, Iowa) were selected Scout Team Players of the Year.
Finally, the team's Hammer Awards, given to the top defensive players from each segment, went to senior linebacker Darin Heideman (Council Bluffs, Iowa) and John Hermann (Clive, Iowa). The Super Hammer Award, for the top overall player, went to Varner.
Heideman, a second-team Associated Press All-American, led the team in tackles with 98 stops. He ranked third on the squad with 13 tackles-for-loss. Heideman also racked up 3.5 quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Heideman was a first-team all-Gateway selection at linebacker. Heideman tallied a season-high 17 tackles in the Panthers' 24-21 quarterfinal victory over No. 1-ranked New Hampshire.
Hermann, a third-team CollegeSportsReport.com All-American, led the team with 20.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 quarterback sacks. Hermann set a UNI single-game record with 5.5 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback sacks in the Panthers' 41-17 win over Northern Arizona. Hermann also notched two quarterback sacks of Walter Payton Award winner Erik Meyer in UNI's first-round playoff win over Eastern Washington.
