Offensive Player-of-the-Year

Erik Meyer, Sr., QB, Eastern Washington

Our offensive player of the year is Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer. Meyer threw for 3,616 passing yards in the regular season, and directed an Eastern Washington offense that finished second nationally in passing yardage (337.6 ypg) and third in total offense (477.7 ypg). Meyer threw for 26 touchdowns and five interceptions, and added four touchdowns in a playoff loss to Northern Iowa. His passing rating of 166.47 is an all-time I-AA record. For his career, Meyer finished with 9,874 yards passing, 80 touchdowns and only 17 interceptions.

Defensive Player-of-the-Year

Brent Hawkins, Sr., DE, Illinois State

Our defensive POY is Illinois State's senior defensive-lineman Brent Hawkins. Hawkins was key in a defense that helped lead the Redbirds to their best season since 1999. He finished the regular season leading all of Division I-AA in tackles for loss (26.5) and forced fumbles (7), while ranking second in sacks (17). His sack total set the Illinois State and Gateway Conference single season records, while he also claimed the school mark for tackles for loss and forced fumbles in a single-season. The 2005 All-Gateway First Team selection was named to the first team's of six all-America organizations.

He ended his collegiate career by playing in the 2006 Hula Bowl and ended up being recognized as the game's defensive MVP. Hawkins was drafted by to the NFL by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Special Teams Player-of-the-Year

Steve Silva, Sr., RB/KR, Holy-Cross

Our special teams "Power Performer" for 2005 is Steve Silva of Holy-Cross. Silva is the first non-kicker/punter to win the award. This Crusader was a "one-man" show his entire collegiate career, and 2005 was no exception. Proving this point, was the fact that this "Power Performer" is a candidate for Pete's Offensive POY, Special Teams POY, and Lifetime Achievement award for his collegiate career performance. A multiple-time All-American, Silva was the first Crusader to win both Patriot League offensive and special teams MVP for the season. He is the first player in school history with touchdowns on a pass, a catch, a rush, a kickoff return and a punt return. He is also the first player in Holy Cross history to rush for a touchdown, throw for a touchdown and catch a touchdown pass in the same game (three rushing, two passing, one receiving).

In the category of punt returns; Silva finished third in the nation with 22 attempts for 395 yards, and 2 TD's. His average yardage per return was 17.95. His numbers for kick-off returns are equally-impressive, with 19 attempts for 462, and a TD. His average per return was an outstanding 24.32.

Head Coaches-of-the-Year

Jon Heacock, Youngstown St.

Youngstown State University football coach Jon Heacock spearheaded an impressive reversal of fortune for the Penguin program during the 2005 season. Not a whole lot of thought around the Gateway Football Conference or throughout the country was on YSU making a major splash this year. But Heacock, along with a dedicated staff and some solid senior leadership, was able to turnaround a program that had two consecutive losing seasons and was picked sixth in the conference at the start of the year. Youngstown State finished the 2005 campaign with an 8-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the highly-competitive Gateway. YSU earned a part of its first-ever Gateway Conference title. The Penguins went undefeated at home for the first time in over a decade.

Bob Spoo, Eastern Illinois University

The co-coach-of-the-year honors go to another coach at a tradition rich program that turned things around after back-to-back losing seasons ... legendary coach Bob Spoo of Eastern Illinois. The dean of coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference, is the ‘Coach of the Year’ in the OVC after directing the Panthers to the NCAA I-AA playoffs for the sixth time in the last 11 years, a league championship with a perfect 8-0 record and No. 15 national ranking finishing 9-3 overall.