Arnaud Named MVP at Banquet

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud, who set an ISU school record for completions in a season (247) and compiled 3,193 yards of total offense to rank second all-time in Cyclone history for a single season, earned the Pete Taylor MVP Award as Iowa State's Most Valuable Player. The award was given at the 2008 ISU Football Banquet Sunday at the Gateway Hotel.

Arnaud threw for 2,792 yards in 2008, the third-best total in school history. The Ames native's completion percentage of .616 ranks fourth all-time. A sophomore, Arnaud set an ISU record with 440 yards passing in the season finale at Kansas State. His 493 yards of total offense in the game equaled the school record. Arnaud is the only player in school history with two games of more than 400 yards of total offense.

Wide receiver R.J. Sumrall was tabbed as Iowa State's offensive MVP to earn the Ray Scott Award. Sumrall finished his Iowa State career with 156 receptions to finish third on the all-time ISU list. The senior's 1,805 career yards ranks him fifth all-time. His 57 receptions in 2008 rank sixth in Cyclone single-season history. Sumrall had seven receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns at Kansas State, tying him for second with Lane Danielsen (2002) with four 100-yard receiving games in 2008. Sumrall was also recognized as a senior team captain with the Ralph Aulmann Memorial Award.

Senior captain Kurtis Taylor was also honored with the Aulmann Award as a captain. The defensive end from Fort Dodge finished his career with 11 ? sacks and 19 tackles for loss among 85 career stops. He was second in the Big 12 in sacks during the 2007 season.

Linebacker Jesse Smith earned the Al and Dean Knudson Award as the team's defensive MVP. The former Southeast Polk product from Altoona finished second on the team in tackles with 84 stops this season. The junior owns 170 career tackles.

Punter Michael Brandtner was chosen as the recipient of the Jim Doran Award for being the most valuable player on special teams. Brandtner averaged 41.6 yards per boot in 2008, equaling the 10th-best single-season mark in school history. The junior from Bettendorf owns a career average of 40.6 yards per punt that ranks fifth in school history. He was an honorable mention all-Big 12 selection.

Jason Scales was given the Ennis Haywood Award as a major contributor on the field who was also the best possible ambassador for Iowa State off the field. Scales, a senior from West Des Moines, rushed for 786 yards and 11 touchdowns during his career. He also had 23 career receptions for 114 yards. Scales blocked a punt earlier this season and then rushed for a TD on the ensuing series. Scales also received the Arthur Floyd Scott Award as the Cyclone football player whose work ethic, commitment, and leadership by example demonstrate the characteristics and qualities of the ISU football strength and conditioning program.

The Durwood “Dury” Moss Award for the outstanding newcomer went to defensive back Leonard Johnson and placekicker Grant Mahoney. Johnson earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches as a kick returner and as a defensive back. Johnson, a freshman, averaged 26.4 yards per kickoff return this season, the second-best mark in school history. He also made 47 tackles as a cornerback with two interceptions. Mahoney, a Marion native, earned honorable mention all-Big 12 honors from the AP. The freshman kicked 17 field goals in 2008, tying him for third with Adam Benike (2002) on the ISU all-time single-season chart. His 84 points rank second all-time. Mahoney had a pair of 48-yard field goals this season.

The Bill Dailey Award, given annually to the player who has made a great contribution to the team with little public recognition went to wide receiver Euseph Messiah of Bettendorf who was a great contributor on special teams.

Sophomore safety Michael O'Connell of Cedar Rapids was given the Rueben J. Miller Award as the Cyclone player whose conduct on and off the field has brought honor and distinction to the university. O'Connell made 21 tackles last season.

Lonzie Range, a freshman wide receiver from Carrollton, Texas was named the offensive scout team player of the year. Freshman defensive lineman Roosevelt Maggitt of Riviera Beach, Fla. was recognized as the team's defensive scout team player of the year.

Iowa State football players recognized for academic all-Big 12 honors were: fullback Taylor Mansfield (first team) of Decorah, O'Connell (second team), offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (second team), defensive back Zac Sandvig of West Des Moines (second team) and wide receiver Joel Zitek (second team).

Players Mentioned

Austen Arnaud

Austen Arnaud

Leonard Johnson

Roosevelt Maggitt

Grant Mahoney

Taylor Mansfield

Taylor Mansfield

Euseph Messiah

Euseph Messiah

Michael O'Connell

Michael O'Connell

Kelechi Osemele

Kelechi Osemele

Lonzie Range

Zac Sandvig

Zac Sandvig

Jason Scales

Jason Scales

Jesse Smith

Jesse Smith

R.J. Sumrall

R.J. Sumrall

Kurtis Taylor

Kurtis Taylor

Joel Zitek

Joel Zitek

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics