The 2008 Dartmouth football team awards, as well as the 2009 captains, have been announced by head coach Buddy Teevens.
Junior wide receiver Tim McManus and senior defensive back Peter Pidermann were selected by their teammates to serve as captains next year.
A total of 16 players earned recognition from the coaching staff for what they brought to the team on and off the field during the 2008 season:
- Senior strong safety Ian Wilson garnered the Bob Blackman Trophy as the Big Green's most valuable player, given annually to the player who contributed the most to the success of the team. Wilson was a second-team All-Ivy selection and was second in the league in tackles per game at 9.3. He also picked off a pair of passes and had two tackles for a loss.
- Pidermann took home the Kenneth T. Young Award as the underclassman who made the most significant contribution to the team. Pidermann will be the team's leading returning tackler next season having made 56 stops in 2008 with an interception, three passes broken up and a forced fumble. In addition, he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the final game of the season.
- McManus was given the Jake Crouthamel Award as the underclassman who contributed the most to the success of the team on offense. He became just the fifth player in Dartmouth history to catch 60 passes in a season, going for 637 yards, figures that ranked among the Ivy League's top receivers. His three touchdown receptions also led the squad. In just two seasons, he has already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and ranks 16th on the Big Green charts with 1,022 yards.
- The Doten Award, given to the sophomore on defense who made significant contributions to the team, was given to Charles Bay. The defensive end recorded 30 tackles, two for a loss, recovered a fumble and blocked two kicks.
- Senior safety Kyle Cavanaugh took home the Manners Makyth Man Award. This distinction goes each year to the player who best conducted himself to the advantage of Dartmouth and displayed good manners in the sense of William Wykeham's phrase, "Manners Makyth Man." Cavanaugh had his season cut short by injury, but in his five games, he registered eight tackles.
The Earl Hamilton Freshman Award, given to the top rookie contributor, was bestowed upon cornerback Shawn Abuhoff. Abuhoff quickly earned the reputation as Dartmouth's top cover man, leading the team with three interceptions and five passes broken up, not to mention 43 tackles (23 solo). He also was a terrific return man, averaging more than eight yards on each of his 17 punt returns, plus brought back a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against Brown.
The scout team players of the year were freshman offensive lineman Ryan O'Neill for offense and freshman linebacker Aaron Limonthas on defense.
The John M. Manley '40 Award was given to senior defensive end Rehan Muttalib as the player who demonstrated the most improvement through his efforts in the weight room. Muttalib led all the Big Green linemen with 40 tackles and five tackles for a loss. His two sacks also led the Big Green. He also was awarded the Gordon P. Bennett Award as the team's outstanding lineman who exemplified the high degree of performance, sportsmanship, and character exhibited by Gordon P. Bennett '37.
Senior defensive lineman Rich Cummings was presented with the 12th Man Award as the varsity team's player who showed hard work and dedication regardless of playing time.
The Lester R. Goodwin Award was awarded to senior Ben Duke as the senior football squad member who, through extraordinary perseverance, has risen above personal disadvantage to contribute measurably to the team. Duke's career was curtailed by injuries, but he continued to provide a valuable service filming the games for video breakdown.
Senior Andrew Dete was awarded the Alan Hewitt '34 and Robert Hewitt '40 Award. This honor goes to the player who best epitomizes athletic performance with academic achievement. An economics major with a 3.74 GPA, Dete was second on the squad with 76 tackles, plus was a first team Academic All-District selection.
The Earl Hamilton Varsity Award was given to senior Casey Frost as the senior football player who has displayed the sincere friendliness and sense of humor plus appreciation of the outdoors that ere the late Mr. Hamilton's characteristics. Frost moved into a starting role this season and contributed 29 tackles and blocked two kicks, nearly returning one for a defensive extra point.
The Frank Hershey Award -- given to the senior football player who possesses a genuine zest for life, has maintained a strong, positive attitude and has displayed a sincere desire to win -- was presented to Milan Williams. Williams led the team in rushing with 310 yards and two touchdowns, finishing his career 17th all-time at Dartmouth with 1,320 yards thanks to a 4.1-yard average.
