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 Maine Football Presents Annual Awards
April 23, 2005 ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine football team concluded the 2004 season with its annual awards banquet on Saturday, April 23 at the Wells Conference Center, located on campus. Senior tailback Marcus Williams (Amherst, Mass.) garnered the Harold Westerman Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. Williams was an Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team selection after averaging 97.5 yards per game on the ground in 2004. With 1,077 yards this year, he became Maine's all-time leading rusher with 3,940 yards. Williams finished his career as a Black Bear with 35 total touchdowns (14 in 2004), the most scores in program history. The Jack Butterfield Outstanding Offensive Player Award was presented to senior wide receiver Christian Pereira (Bronx, N.Y.). He recorded 58 receptions for 818 yards and 10 scores this season and was named third-team all-conference. Pereira averaged 74.4 yards receiving and 5.27 catches per game, ranking him in the top-10 in the A-10 in both categories. Junior linebacker Jermaine Walker (Teaneck, N.J.) claimed the Walter Abbott Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Walker earned a spot on the A-10 All-Conference Second Team after completing the campaign with 98 total tackles, one sack and two interceptions. A first-team all-league pick, junior center Ben Lazarski (New Windsor, N.Y.) was given the Sam Sezak Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award. Lazarski lined up for every play at center during the season. Sophomore end Mike DeVito (Wellfleet, Mass.) was honored with the Roger Ellis Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award. DeVito concluded the year with 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Senior punter/kicker Mike Mellow (Stonington, Conn.) garnered the George Wood Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year Award for the second time. Mellow, a first-team all-conference selection, averaged 43.1 yards per punt, leading the A-10 and ranking fifth nationally. He pinned 21 punts inside the 20-yardline with a long of 76 against Northeastern on Oct. 23, establishing a school record. Mellow, who also earned the honor in 2002, concludes his career with 9,795 punting yards, the most ever by a Black Bear. The Thurlow Cooper Rookie of the Year Award went to redshirt freshman defensive end Patrick McCrossan (Sparta, N.J.). In 2004, McCrossan totaled 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Another defensive end, senior Marcus Walton (White Plains, N.Y.) was selected as the Woody Carville Senior Achievement Award winner. Walton, a captain, led the squad with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks for a loss of 35 yards. Junior Kevin McMahan (Rochester, N.Y.) took home the "Maine Man" Strength and Conditioning Award. A pair of seniors - John Baumgartner (Carteret, N.J.) and Ivi Nwosu (Bridgewater, Mass.) - shared the Ron Rogers Spirit/Dedication Award. Redshirts Nabil Salim (Union City, N.J.) and Devin Shepard (Brunswick, Maine) were presented the Scout Team Player of the Year Awards.
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