Ryan Tabbed Team MVP at Annual Football Bust
12/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 8, 2014
LIVONIA, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit held the 94th annual football bust Monday evening (Dec. 8) at the Laurel Manor in Livonia where the 2014 team awards were announced, and the senior football student-athletes received their coveted 'M' rings. In addition to Team 135 being recognized, U-M All-Americans from the 1970s and 1980s were honored.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner and fifth-year senior linebacker Jake Ryan were elected captains of the 2014 football team by a vote of their teammates at the conclusion of the regular season. Ryan was also named BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER and received the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD as the team's top linebacker for the third straight year.
Ryan, an All-Big Ten first-team selection by the coaches and media this year, led Michigan with 112 tackles, including 14.0 for loss with 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. The Butkus Award finalist also grabbed one interception and registered three pass breakups. A senior from Westlake, Ohio, Ryan ranks second in the Big Ten in tackles and is sixth in the conference in tackles-for-loss. In his career, Ryan recorded 267 tackles, 45.5 for loss with 9.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and one interception. His forced fumbles total is tied for second on Michigan's all-time list, and his tackles-for-loss total is sixth all-time in school history.
Gardner completed 174-of-283 passing for 1,896 yards with 10 touchdowns and added 258 yards and four touchdowns rushing this season. Gardner's completion percentage of 61.5 ranks third in the Big Ten. The Detroit native finished his collegiate career 475-of-787 passing for 6,336 yards and 44 touchdowns with 916 yards and 24 touchdowns rushing. He ranks in the top 10 on Michigan career lists for completions, passing efficiency, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, passing yards, passing yards per game, total offense and total offense per game. Gardner is one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, which is given to a student-athlete with notable achievements in four areas of excellence -- community, classroom, character and competition.
Senior defensive end Brennen Beyer received the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD as U-M's top defensive lineman and was the recipient of the ROBERT P. UFER BEQUEST award as the senior who demonstrated the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan. Beyer, who earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches and media, finished his senior season with 35 tackles, 7.5 for loss with a team-high 5.5 sacks, and two quarterback hurries while starting 11 of 12 games at defensive end. His sack total is tied for 16th in the Big Ten. The senior from Canton, Michigan, recorded single-season career-high totals in tackles, tackles-for-loss and sacks this year. Beyer is also a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Joey Burzynski received the DR. ARTHUR D. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD as the leading senior scholar on the team. Burzynski holds a 3.7 grade-point average and will graduate in May with a degree in biomedical engineering. The Carlsbad, Calif., native started one game at right guard this season and played in 18 career games along the offensive line for the Maize and Blue.
Senior/junior center Jack Miller received the HUGH H. RADER JR. MEMORIAL AWARD as the team's top offensive lineman. Miller started all 12 games at center in 2014, anchoring an offensive line that helped U-M generate 333.0 yards of total offense and 162.8 rushing yards per game.
Following are the 2014 University of Michigan football team award winners:
Bo Schembechler MVP: Jake Ryan
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award: Joey Burzynski
Hugh R. Rader Memorial Award: Jack Miller
Roger Zatkoff Award: Jake Ryan
Robert P. Ufer Bequest: Brennen Beyer
Richard Katcher Award: Brennen Beyer
Captains Award: Devin Gardner and Jake Ryan
Communications Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
