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Mike Hart Named Duke Football MVP
Dec. 10, 2001
Senior tight end Mike Hart was named the recipient of the Carmen Falcone Most Valuable Player Award at Duke University's annual football banquet held on Sunday evening in Durham, N.C.
Hart finished the season with 30 pass receptions for 476 yards and four touchdowns and was named First Team All-ACC and honorable mention All-America for his efforts. The Sayville, N.Y., native also earned the program's Co-Most Outstanding Receiver and Co-Trinity Teammate awards, and was named one of four team captains. Hart concluded his career with at least one pass reception in each of his last 22 games along with career totals of 86 catches for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns. Hart becomes just the fourth Duke player ever to earn two team MVP awards joining Leo Hart (1969 & 1970), Keith Stoneback (1973 & 1974) and Scottie Montgomery (1998 & 1999).
Other award winners included Ryan Fowler (Mike Suglia Award & Outstanding Linebacker), Ronnie Hamilton (Captain Award, Co-Outstanding Special Teams Player, Outstanding Defensive Back & Iron Devil Award), Kyle Moore (Co-Outstanding Special Teams Player), Kenneth Stanford (Co-Outstanding Special Teams Player), Matt Zielinski (Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman), Nate Krill (Captain Award, Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman), Shawn Lynch (Outstanding Offensive Lineman), Chris Douglas (Outstanding Offensive Back), Ben Erdeljac (Captain Award, Co-Outstanding Receiver), Drew Strojny (Co-Ace Parker Award), B.J. Hill (Co-Ace Parker Award) and Charles Porter (Co-Trinity Teammate Award).
Fowler, a sophomore outside linebacker from Redington Shores, Fla., was named the recipient of the Mike Suglia Award as well as the Outstanding Linebacker honor. The Mike Suglia Award is presented to an outstanding second-year member of the program who best exemplifies the total student-athlete. Fowler led Duke in tackles with 127 and added seven tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, three caused fumbles and one interception.
Hamilton, a senior cornerback from Oxford, N.C., was honored as one of four team captains while garnering the Iron Devil Award (presented to the individual who plays the most snaps), Co-Outstanding Special Teams Player and Outstanding Defensive Back. Hamilton led the ACC and finished fourth nationally in punt return average (15.6) en route to earned honorable mention All-ACC honors. Defensively, he was credited with 47 tackles and a team-leading nine pass breakups. He finishes his career ranking third all-time at Duke with 30 pass breakups.
Moore, a senior wide receiver from Detroit, Mich., earned Co-Outstanding Special Teams Player honors after recording 13 special teams tackles and returning nine kickoffs for 181 yards.
Stanford, a freshman defensive back from Detroit, Mich., earned Co-Outstanding Special Team Player recognition after leading the Blue Devils in special teams performance points and returning nine kickoffs for 195 yards.
Zielinski, a sophomore nose guard from East Amherst, N.Y., was named the Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman after recording 46 total tackles. Zielinski, who overcame a knee injury suffered during the 2000 season along with a position change from outside linebacker to nose guard, also totaled five tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Krill, a senior outside linebacker from McLean, Va., was honored with a Captain Award and as a Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Krill, who sat out the entire 2000 season following back and neck surgeries, tallied 45 tackles on the season along with seven tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Lynch, a senior center from West Palm Beach, Fla., was tabbed as the Outstanding Offensive Lineman after starting all 11 games for the Blue Devils. Lynch started 32 career games at Duke and served as the mainstay of the offensive line in 2001.
Douglas, a sophomore tailback from Sherrills Ford, N.C., was named the Outstanding Offensive Back after leading Duke in rushing (841 yards) and scoring (48 points). An honorable mention All-ACC pick, Douglas led the league and finished seventh nationally in all-purpose yards per game (168.1) and became the first non-kicker to lead Duke in scoring in consecutive seasons since 1967
Erdeljac, a senior wide receiver from Oakmont, Pa., received a Captain Award as well as Co-Outstanding Receiver accolades. Erdeljac led Duke in receiving with 42 catches for 684 yards and one touchdown, and finished his career by hauling in at least two passes over his final 18 games.
Strojny and Hill were named the co-recipients of the Ace Parker Award which is given to individuals who overcome adversity to contribute to the program both on and off the field. Strojny, a sophomore offensive tackle from Wrentham, Mass., battled through shoulder and foot injuries throughout the season to play in all 11 games. Hill, a junior safety from Detroit, Mich., missed the 2000 season while recovering from knee surgery, and returned to the field to play in all 11 games. Hill responded by making 46 tackles including three behind the line of scrimmage.
Porter, a senior defensive end from Columbia, Md., shared the Trinity Teammate Award with Hart. An emotional leader, Porter recorded 47 tackles on the season with six tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and a team-high five quarterback hurries.
