TicketsDec. 3, 2006
, -- Brent Celek received the top honor as the recipient of the Claude Rost Most Valuable Player at the 's postseason awards banquet at the annual event Marriott Kingsgate on the UC campus. Celek proved to be a leader both on and off the field. He was voted team captain prior to the season and he has been one of UC's leading receivers in each of the past three seasons, setting career receiving records for a tight end.
A native of , Celek finished the regular season with a streak of 24 games with a reception. His 83-yard touchdown reception in the win over was the third-longest pass play in UC history. The product owns every UC career receiving mark for tight ends: receptions (88), yards (1,114) and touchdown receptions (14).
The presentation of the Claude Rost Award capped off an evening of team awards for the Bearcats in front of an audience of more than 300.
Sophomore Trevor Anderson, who is tops on the team in sacks (6) and second in tackles for loss (13), received the defense's half of the John Pease Award as the most outstanding lineman. Senior Jeff Reinstatler, who started 10 games on the offensive front, was the offense's John Pease Award winner.
Kevin McCullough and Greg Moore shared the Brig Owens Award as the team's most outstanding back. McCullough, a senior linebacker, is pacing the Bearcats with 68 stops, including 13.5 for loss. A junior running back, is UC's top ground gainer, and has amassed 652 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Derrick Stewart was named the program's outstanding receiver. The sophomore from leads UC with a 20.8 yards per catch average and five touchdown grabs.
Voted team co-captains Celek and Dominic Ross shared the Captain's Trophy. Ross and Bill Poland shared the Jim Kelly Coaches Spirit Award. During the regular season, Ross snagged a team-leading four interceptions while caught 15 passes in 11 games.
Redshirt freshman Jeff Linkenbach, a starter in all 12 regular season games at left tackle, was the Offensive Newcomer of the Year. True freshman Aaron Webster became the defensive secondary's top reserve to earn the Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Senior defensive tackle Tony Carvitti was presented the C Club Strothman Award for Academic Excellence for the second consecutive year. Junior linebacker Jon Carpenter was honored with the Iron Cat Award for his attitude, leadership, performance, and toughness in the strength and conditioning program.
Senior quarterback Nick Davila was honored with the inaugural Glenn Sample Community Service Award. Davila completed 25-of-40 passes for 509 yards and three touchdowns over the last two games.
Sophomore Dominick Goodman garnered the Special Teams Player of the Year award. During the regular season, Goodman averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return.
The trio of John Goebel, Jason Kelce and Marshwan Gilyard split the Scout Team Player of the Year honors.
concluded the regular season with a record of 7-5 and is headed to the International Bowl on Jan. 6, 2007 in , Ont., its fifth bowl game in seven years.