CHRISTIAN DUNBAR EARNS OWL AWARD AS TEAM MVP AT ANNUAL FOOTBALL BANQUET

PHILADELPHIA -- Senior Christian Dunbar received the Owl Award as the team's most valuable player tonight at the annual football banquet, sponsored by the Owl Club, on campus. Dunbar, who received the honor based upon a team vote, was one of several student-athletes honored for their contributions to the University both on and off the field this season.

Dunbar was a constant for the Owls in 2005, playing three positions on defense, as well as on special teams. After playing linebacker in the preseason, he was moved to strong safety prior to the season opener at Arizona State. After senior Rodney Wormley suffered a season-ending knee injury at Bowling Green, Dunbar then moved to defensive end, starting the final six contests at the position. He concluded the year ranked tied for sixth nationally in forced fumbles and tied for 41^st in tackles-for-losses.

Seniors Umar Ferguson and Mike Mendenhall earned most valuable offensive and defensive player honors, respectively. Ferguson had three 100-plus yard rushing games and accumulated 701 yards on 191 attempts for five touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 198 yards and a score en route 899 all-purpose yards. Mendenhall was named the coaching staff's defensive player of the game five times this year and made 64 total tackles, 14 TFLs and seven sacks. He currently ranks tied for 41^st nationally in TFLs and tied for 52^nd in sacks.

Senior DB Justin Johnson received the Dr. Arthur N. Cook Most Courageous Athlete Award, while senior QB Mike McGann was the winner of the George M. Illman Award for leadership on and off the field. Senior OT John Gross earned the "Top Hog Award" as the best offensive lineman and senior OG Stan Primus captured the Carlos Diaz Award as the team's most improved player. The J. Myron Honigman Award for Spirit, Dedication and Loyalty was given to junior DB Charles McLaughlin and senior LB Manuel Tapia earned the John Rienstra Award for excellence in off-season conditioning.

Senior punter Jake Hendy received the Owl Club Academic Award, sponsored by Dr. Peter Chodoff. Hendy, a journalism major, maintains a 3.47 cumulative grade point average.

Captains' Awards were granted to Dunbar, Gross, Mendenhall and senior CB Ray Lamb. The John D Award for the top student manager went to Chuck Young.

Temple University Athletics

CHRISTIAN DUNBAR EARNS OWL AWARD AS TEAM MVP AT ANNUAL FOOTBALL BANQUET

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