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Boone Named 2014 Duke Football MVP
1/23/2015 8:09:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Senior quarterback Anthony Boone was named the recipient of the Carmen Falcone Most Valuable Player Award at Duke University's annual football banquet held on Friday evening at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, N.C.
Boone was also one of five Blue Devils who received the Steve Brooks Captain Award.
In 2014, Boone helped Duke to a 9-4 mark and third straight bowl appearance with a trip to the Hyundai Sun Bowl. Boone completed 255-of-453 passes for 2,700 yards and tossed 19 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He also added 375 rushing yards and five ground scores. Boone threw four touchdown passes versus Elon in the season opener and added three scoring strikes at Pittsburgh in a key ACC double-overtime victory.
The Weddington, N.C., native ended his time as a Blue Devil holding or sharing 12 Duke single season or career records, including most wins as a starting QB in a career (19), most wins as a starting QB in a season (nine in 2013 & 2014), most pass attempts in a quarter (26 vs. Miami, 2014 [4th]), most games with 100+ passing yards in a season (13 in 2014), best pass completion-to-interception ratio in a career (22.50-1), best pass attempt-to-interception ratio in a career (38.46-1), most TD passes of 50 or more yards by a combination in a career (4; to Jamison Crowder), most total offensive plays in a season (547 in 2014), most passing yards in a bowl game (427 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl), most passing TDs in a bowl game (3 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl), most total offensive yards in a bowl game (454 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl) and most total touchdown responsibility in a bowl game (4 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl).
Other honorees included Tinashe Bere (Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award), Kelby Brown (Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jeremy Cash (Willis Aldridge Award, Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jamison Crowder (Clarkston Hines Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo (Mike McGee Award), DeVon Edwards (K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award), David Helton (Vincent Rey Award), Chris Hoover (Ace Parker Award Award), Dezmond Johnson (Micah Harris Trinity Teammate Award), Will Monday (Bill Keziah Award), Shaquille Powell (Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award), Alex Skidmore (Mike Suglia Award), Matt Skura (Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award), Josh Snead (Bob Pascal Award), Laken Tomlinson (Dan “Tiger” Hill Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award) and a trio of Ace Parker Award recipients in Marcus Aprahamian, Chris Hoover and Jack Wise.
Bere, a freshman linebacker from Cincinnati, Ohio, was one of three Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award winners. The honor is presented annually to one offensive player, one defensive player and one player in the developmental program for their year-round commitment to strength training and conditioning. These players best exemplify the strength staff's expectations with their daily effort, commitment, pride, toughness, and discipline. This year, Bere represented the developmental program while Cash was the defensive honoree and Skura, a redshirt junior center from Columbus, Ohio, was the offensive recipient.
Brown, a redshirt senior linebacker from Matthews, N.C., received the Steve Brooks Captain Award. Brown was elected as one of five Duke captains but did not play in 2014 due to a knee injury. Brown has received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and will return to action for the 2015 campaign.
Cash, a redshirt senior safety from Miami, Fla., was named the recipient of the Willis Aldridge Award as the team's top defensive back. Cash was also one of the squad's five captains and one of three Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award winners. Cash ended the 2014 campaign as the only defensive back in the country to have tallied 100 or more tackles (111), 10.0 tackles for loss or more (10.5) and 5.0 sacks or more (5.5). He was named a second team Walter Camp Foundation All-America after picking up 2013 All-America honors from USA Today (second team). Cash is Duke's first All- American in consecutive years since Clarkston Hines in 1988-89 and the Blue Devils' first defensive player to receive All-America accolades in consecutive years since linebacker Keith Stoneback, in 1973-74.
Crowder, a senior wide receiver from Monroe, N.C., earned the Clarkston Hines Award for the team's top receiver and was a squad captain. Crowder led the Blue Devils with 85 receptions for 1,044 yards and hauled in six touchdown passes in 2014. The two-time first team All-ACC selection ended his career tied for the ACC and Duke career reception records, reaching 283 total catches. He tied former Blue Devil Conner Vernon (2009-12/283 catches) for the all-time ACC and school records. Crowder also departs as the school's all-time leader in punt returns for TDs with four and became the first player in Duke history to lead the team in all-purpose yardage in four consecutive seasons.
DeWalt-Ondijo, a redshirt senior defensive end from Prairie View, Texas, received the Mike McGee Award as the team's most outstanding defensive lineman. DeWalt-Ondijo tallied 45 tackles while placing second on the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (7.5). He also added four quarterback pressures and a pair of caused fumbles.
Edwards, a redshirt sophomore safety and kickoff returner, received the K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award for playing the most snaps of any Blue Devil (1,068) during the season. Edwards finished second on the squad with 133 tackles, including 7.5 for lost yardage, and added a team-high 29 kickoff returns for 745 yards and a touchdown. During the 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl, Edwards set one bowl record and matched another by setting the bowl game's standard for kickoff return yardage (135) while equaling the mark for most kickoff returns (five). On defense against the Sun Devils he contributed 14 tackles, 1.0 sack and a caused fumble.
Helton, a senior linebacker from Chattanooga, Tenn., was the recipient of the Vincent Rey Award as the squad's most outstanding linebacker. He topped the ACC with 10.42 tackles per game (134 total), leading the league for the second straight year. Helton is only the fifth player in league history to repeat as league tackle champion, and the first since current NFL Pro Bowler Luke Kuechly accomplished the feat from 2009-11. Off the field, Helton became the first Duke student-athlete, and only the second in ACC history, to receive the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the nation's absolute best football student-athlete. Helton was also a Capital One/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America, Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist and recipient of the ACC's Jim Tatum Award, given annually to the league's top senior football student-athlete.
Johnson, a redshirt senior defensive end from Nashville, Tenn., was presented with the Micah Harris Trinity Teammate Award, which is given annually to the member of the Duke football program who displays the highest teammate qualities such as inspiration, unselfishness and commitment to the team. Micah Harris was tragically killed in an automobile accident in June of 2004, just prior to his senior year at Duke. Johnson totaled 20 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He also recorded one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. Johnson helped a defense that held seven opponents to under 20 points in 2014, its most in a year since keeping eight under 20 in 1974.
Monday, a redshirt junior punter from Flowery Branch, Ga., received the Bill Keziah Award as the team's most outstanding special teams performer. An honorable mention All-America selection, Monday punted 59 times for 2,537 yards (43.00 average) with a long boot of 65 yards. He had 17 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and induced 20 fair catches. He was a key part of a punt return defense that limited foes to 2.06 yards per runback, the third-best mark in the nation.
Powell, a junior running back from Las Vegas, Nev., was named the Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award recipient. The honor is presented annually to the player who best displays the toughness and perseverance to overcome challenges and continue to strive for victory. Powell, who during the season found out his younger brother was diagnosed with cancer, led Duke with 618 rushing yards on 134 carries. He helped the Blue Devils averaged 181.85 rushing yards per game in 2014, its highest average since gaining 198.64 yards per contest in 1977. Powell excelled in the Hyundai Sun Bowl with 29 rushing attempts for a career-high 117 yards as well as a trio of receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Skidmore, a sophomore offensive guard from Virginia Beach, Va., brought home the Mike Suglia Award, presented annually to the second-year member of the Duke football program who best exemplifies the qualities of the late Mike Suglia. Suglia was an offensive lineman at Duke in 1976-77 who died suddenly during the spring of his sophomore year. He was an excellent student, an outstanding football player, and, most importantly, a young man of the highest integrity.
Snead, a redshirt senior running back from Smithfield, N.C., received the Bob Pascal Award as Duke's top offensive back. Snead finished the year with 401 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 12 receptions for 92 yards. His performance helped Duke reach 5,178 yards of total offense for the season, reaching the 5,000-yard plateau for the third straight season, a first in program history.
Tomlinson, a redshirt senior offensive guard from Chicago, Ill., was named the recipient of the Dan “Tiger” Hill Award as well as being a team captain. In 2014, Tomlinson was named a consensus All-America selection and anchored a Duke offensive front which led the ACC in fewest sacks allowed per passing attempt (36.23). A two-time first team All-ACC selection, he helped the Blue Devil offensive unit become the first in school history to average 180-plus rushing yards and 210-plus passing yards per game. This fall, he was also the recipient of the Courage Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America in conjunction with the Orange Bowl, named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which recognizes community service in addition to academic and athletic achievement, and finished second in the balloting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, an honor presented annually to the top blocker in the ACC.
Aprahamian, Hoover and Wise were all recipients of the Ace Parker Award, which is presented annually to individuals who display unparalleled commitment to the team and overcome adversity to contribute. Parker, one of 12 former Duke players and coaches to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, was a two-time All-America pick in 1935 and 1936. Following his successful NFL career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972. Aprahamian, from Brookfield, Wis., Hoover, from Maumee, Ohio, and Wise from Rumson, N.J., all had their playing careers end prematurely due to injury. All three served as undergraduate assistants during the 2014 campaign.
2014 Duke Football Award Winners
- Cameron Falcone Team MVP: Anthony Boone
- Steve Brooks Captain Awards: Anthony Boone, Jamison Crowder, Laken Tomlinson, Kelby Brown and Jeremy Cash
- Bob Pascal Award - Top Offensive Back: Josh Snead
- Dan "Tiger" Hill Award - Top Offensive Lineman: Laken Tomlinson
- Willis Aldridge Award - Top Defensive Back: Jeremy Cash
- Clarkston Hines Award - Top Receiver: Jamison Crowder
- Mike McGee Award - Top Defensive Lineman: Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo
- K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award: DeVon Edwards
- Vincent Rey Award - Top Linebacker: David Helton
- Micah Harris Trinity Teammate: Dezmond Johnson
- Bill Keziah Award - Top Specialist: Will Monday
- Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award: Shaquille Powell
- Mike Suglia Award: Alex Skidmore
- Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award: Tinashe Bere, Jeremy Cash and Matt Skura
- Ace Parker Award: Chris Hoover, Marcus Aprahamian and Jack Wise
#GoDuke
Boone was also one of five Blue Devils who received the Steve Brooks Captain Award.
In 2014, Boone helped Duke to a 9-4 mark and third straight bowl appearance with a trip to the Hyundai Sun Bowl. Boone completed 255-of-453 passes for 2,700 yards and tossed 19 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He also added 375 rushing yards and five ground scores. Boone threw four touchdown passes versus Elon in the season opener and added three scoring strikes at Pittsburgh in a key ACC double-overtime victory.
The Weddington, N.C., native ended his time as a Blue Devil holding or sharing 12 Duke single season or career records, including most wins as a starting QB in a career (19), most wins as a starting QB in a season (nine in 2013 & 2014), most pass attempts in a quarter (26 vs. Miami, 2014 [4th]), most games with 100+ passing yards in a season (13 in 2014), best pass completion-to-interception ratio in a career (22.50-1), best pass attempt-to-interception ratio in a career (38.46-1), most TD passes of 50 or more yards by a combination in a career (4; to Jamison Crowder), most total offensive plays in a season (547 in 2014), most passing yards in a bowl game (427 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl), most passing TDs in a bowl game (3 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl), most total offensive yards in a bowl game (454 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl) and most total touchdown responsibility in a bowl game (4 vs. Texas A&M in 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl).
Other honorees included Tinashe Bere (Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award), Kelby Brown (Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jeremy Cash (Willis Aldridge Award, Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jamison Crowder (Clarkston Hines Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award), Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo (Mike McGee Award), DeVon Edwards (K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award), David Helton (Vincent Rey Award), Chris Hoover (Ace Parker Award Award), Dezmond Johnson (Micah Harris Trinity Teammate Award), Will Monday (Bill Keziah Award), Shaquille Powell (Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award), Alex Skidmore (Mike Suglia Award), Matt Skura (Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award), Josh Snead (Bob Pascal Award), Laken Tomlinson (Dan “Tiger” Hill Award & Steve Brooks Captain Award) and a trio of Ace Parker Award recipients in Marcus Aprahamian, Chris Hoover and Jack Wise.
Bere, a freshman linebacker from Cincinnati, Ohio, was one of three Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award winners. The honor is presented annually to one offensive player, one defensive player and one player in the developmental program for their year-round commitment to strength training and conditioning. These players best exemplify the strength staff's expectations with their daily effort, commitment, pride, toughness, and discipline. This year, Bere represented the developmental program while Cash was the defensive honoree and Skura, a redshirt junior center from Columbus, Ohio, was the offensive recipient.
Brown, a redshirt senior linebacker from Matthews, N.C., received the Steve Brooks Captain Award. Brown was elected as one of five Duke captains but did not play in 2014 due to a knee injury. Brown has received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and will return to action for the 2015 campaign.
Cash, a redshirt senior safety from Miami, Fla., was named the recipient of the Willis Aldridge Award as the team's top defensive back. Cash was also one of the squad's five captains and one of three Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award winners. Cash ended the 2014 campaign as the only defensive back in the country to have tallied 100 or more tackles (111), 10.0 tackles for loss or more (10.5) and 5.0 sacks or more (5.5). He was named a second team Walter Camp Foundation All-America after picking up 2013 All-America honors from USA Today (second team). Cash is Duke's first All- American in consecutive years since Clarkston Hines in 1988-89 and the Blue Devils' first defensive player to receive All-America accolades in consecutive years since linebacker Keith Stoneback, in 1973-74.
Crowder, a senior wide receiver from Monroe, N.C., earned the Clarkston Hines Award for the team's top receiver and was a squad captain. Crowder led the Blue Devils with 85 receptions for 1,044 yards and hauled in six touchdown passes in 2014. The two-time first team All-ACC selection ended his career tied for the ACC and Duke career reception records, reaching 283 total catches. He tied former Blue Devil Conner Vernon (2009-12/283 catches) for the all-time ACC and school records. Crowder also departs as the school's all-time leader in punt returns for TDs with four and became the first player in Duke history to lead the team in all-purpose yardage in four consecutive seasons.
DeWalt-Ondijo, a redshirt senior defensive end from Prairie View, Texas, received the Mike McGee Award as the team's most outstanding defensive lineman. DeWalt-Ondijo tallied 45 tackles while placing second on the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (7.5). He also added four quarterback pressures and a pair of caused fumbles.
Edwards, a redshirt sophomore safety and kickoff returner, received the K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award for playing the most snaps of any Blue Devil (1,068) during the season. Edwards finished second on the squad with 133 tackles, including 7.5 for lost yardage, and added a team-high 29 kickoff returns for 745 yards and a touchdown. During the 2014 Hyundai Sun Bowl, Edwards set one bowl record and matched another by setting the bowl game's standard for kickoff return yardage (135) while equaling the mark for most kickoff returns (five). On defense against the Sun Devils he contributed 14 tackles, 1.0 sack and a caused fumble.
Helton, a senior linebacker from Chattanooga, Tenn., was the recipient of the Vincent Rey Award as the squad's most outstanding linebacker. He topped the ACC with 10.42 tackles per game (134 total), leading the league for the second straight year. Helton is only the fifth player in league history to repeat as league tackle champion, and the first since current NFL Pro Bowler Luke Kuechly accomplished the feat from 2009-11. Off the field, Helton became the first Duke student-athlete, and only the second in ACC history, to receive the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the nation's absolute best football student-athlete. Helton was also a Capital One/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America, Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist and recipient of the ACC's Jim Tatum Award, given annually to the league's top senior football student-athlete.
Johnson, a redshirt senior defensive end from Nashville, Tenn., was presented with the Micah Harris Trinity Teammate Award, which is given annually to the member of the Duke football program who displays the highest teammate qualities such as inspiration, unselfishness and commitment to the team. Micah Harris was tragically killed in an automobile accident in June of 2004, just prior to his senior year at Duke. Johnson totaled 20 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He also recorded one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. Johnson helped a defense that held seven opponents to under 20 points in 2014, its most in a year since keeping eight under 20 in 1974.
Monday, a redshirt junior punter from Flowery Branch, Ga., received the Bill Keziah Award as the team's most outstanding special teams performer. An honorable mention All-America selection, Monday punted 59 times for 2,537 yards (43.00 average) with a long boot of 65 yards. He had 17 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and induced 20 fair catches. He was a key part of a punt return defense that limited foes to 2.06 yards per runback, the third-best mark in the nation.
Powell, a junior running back from Las Vegas, Nev., was named the Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award recipient. The honor is presented annually to the player who best displays the toughness and perseverance to overcome challenges and continue to strive for victory. Powell, who during the season found out his younger brother was diagnosed with cancer, led Duke with 618 rushing yards on 134 carries. He helped the Blue Devils averaged 181.85 rushing yards per game in 2014, its highest average since gaining 198.64 yards per contest in 1977. Powell excelled in the Hyundai Sun Bowl with 29 rushing attempts for a career-high 117 yards as well as a trio of receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Skidmore, a sophomore offensive guard from Virginia Beach, Va., brought home the Mike Suglia Award, presented annually to the second-year member of the Duke football program who best exemplifies the qualities of the late Mike Suglia. Suglia was an offensive lineman at Duke in 1976-77 who died suddenly during the spring of his sophomore year. He was an excellent student, an outstanding football player, and, most importantly, a young man of the highest integrity.
Snead, a redshirt senior running back from Smithfield, N.C., received the Bob Pascal Award as Duke's top offensive back. Snead finished the year with 401 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 12 receptions for 92 yards. His performance helped Duke reach 5,178 yards of total offense for the season, reaching the 5,000-yard plateau for the third straight season, a first in program history.
Tomlinson, a redshirt senior offensive guard from Chicago, Ill., was named the recipient of the Dan “Tiger” Hill Award as well as being a team captain. In 2014, Tomlinson was named a consensus All-America selection and anchored a Duke offensive front which led the ACC in fewest sacks allowed per passing attempt (36.23). A two-time first team All-ACC selection, he helped the Blue Devil offensive unit become the first in school history to average 180-plus rushing yards and 210-plus passing yards per game. This fall, he was also the recipient of the Courage Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America in conjunction with the Orange Bowl, named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which recognizes community service in addition to academic and athletic achievement, and finished second in the balloting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, an honor presented annually to the top blocker in the ACC.
Aprahamian, Hoover and Wise were all recipients of the Ace Parker Award, which is presented annually to individuals who display unparalleled commitment to the team and overcome adversity to contribute. Parker, one of 12 former Duke players and coaches to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, was a two-time All-America pick in 1935 and 1936. Following his successful NFL career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972. Aprahamian, from Brookfield, Wis., Hoover, from Maumee, Ohio, and Wise from Rumson, N.J., all had their playing careers end prematurely due to injury. All three served as undergraduate assistants during the 2014 campaign.
2014 Duke Football Award Winners
- Cameron Falcone Team MVP: Anthony Boone
- Steve Brooks Captain Awards: Anthony Boone, Jamison Crowder, Laken Tomlinson, Kelby Brown and Jeremy Cash
- Bob Pascal Award - Top Offensive Back: Josh Snead
- Dan "Tiger" Hill Award - Top Offensive Lineman: Laken Tomlinson
- Willis Aldridge Award - Top Defensive Back: Jeremy Cash
- Clarkston Hines Award - Top Receiver: Jamison Crowder
- Mike McGee Award - Top Defensive Lineman: Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo
- K.D. Kennedy Iron Devil Award: DeVon Edwards
- Vincent Rey Award - Top Linebacker: David Helton
- Micah Harris Trinity Teammate: Dezmond Johnson
- Bill Keziah Award - Top Specialist: Will Monday
- Frances Cutcliffe Spirit of Perseverance Award: Shaquille Powell
- Mike Suglia Award: Alex Skidmore
- Sonny Falcone Iron Duke Award: Tinashe Bere, Jeremy Cash and Matt Skura
- Ace Parker Award: Chris Hoover, Marcus Aprahamian and Jack Wise
#GoDuke
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