Wake Forest Holds Football Awards Banquet
Moore named team MVP

April 19, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team gathered at BB&T Field one final time on Saturday as the 2007 squad was honored for its accomplishments.

Following the conclusion of spring drills earlier in the day, the Demon Deacons, along with the 2007 seniors, gathered under two large tents at midfield to hand out awards earned by last year's team.

The 2007 Deacons posted a 9-4 record and finished the season with a 24-10 win over Connecticut in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Wake Forest ran off six consecutive wins during the season and earned a second consecutive bowl berth for the first time in school history.

Wide receiver Kenny Moore was named the team MVP. Moore was named first team All-ACC and set the conference record with 99 receptions. He became just the third player in school history to collect over 1,000 receiving yards in a season, finishing the year with 1,011.

Center Steve Justice received the Outstanding Offensive Lineman award. Justice was a consensus All-American, earning first team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, CBSSports.com, the Associated Press and ESPN. He also was a first team All-ACC pick and received the league's Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

Cornerback Alphonso Smith was named the Outstanding Defensive Back. The rising senior tied for the national lead with eight interceptions including three returns for touchdowns. A first team All-ACC honoree, Smith was a second team All-America on the Walter Camp squad.

Quarterback Riley Skinner won the Most Outstanding Offensive Back award. Skinner led the nation in completion percentage last fall at 72.4 percent. He threw for 2,204 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Defensive end Jeremy Thompson received the Bill George Award, given annually to the most outstanding lineman or linebacker and named in honor of Wake Forest's first All-American. Thompson was an Academic All-District III pick and an Academic All-ACC selection while leading the Deacons with 6.5 sacks. He played in the Senior Bowl and was a finalist for the National Sportsmanship Award.

Wide receiver Kevin Marion received the Outstanding Special Teams Player award. Marion excelled as a kick returner, finishing third in the nation with a 31.3 return average. He also set school career records with 88 kickoff returns and 2,160 career KOR yards.

Wake Forest team awards Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Steve Justice Outstanding Defensive Back: Alphonso Smith Outstanding Offensive Back: Riley Skinner Bill George Award (most outstanding lineman or linebacker, given in honor of the school's first All-American): Jeremy Thompson Outstanding Special Teams Player: Kevin Marion Team MVP: Kenny Moore

All of the awards were chosen by the coaches except for MVP which was voted on by the players.