Fresno State Athletics
Awards Presented at 98 Football Banquet
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
November 22, 1998
Fresno, Calif. - Senior tailback Jaime Kimbrough was named Fresno State football's most valuable player for the 1998 season, rushing for 1,168 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as leading the team in all-purpose yardage and scoring. The Doak Walker candidate ranked as the team's second leading receiver and returned 13 kickoffs, including a 96-yard return against San Jose State for the deciding touchdown.
Kimbrough joined seniors Jerry Lemon and Jeff Roberts as the team captains for offense, defense and special teams, respectively, the honor determined by a vote of the team. Lemon finished the season with 46 tackles and four quarterback sacks, including seven tackles against Texas Tech and Utah. Roberts, who was also named Special Teams Player of the Year, finished the season with 65 punts for 2,605 yards (42.0 avg.) and a career average of 41.8, second on the Bulldog career list. He added a touchdown play on a fake punt formation for a 47-yard score against Utah.
Nose Tackle Jerry Lemon was named the team's Most Inspirational Player for his contributions to the defensive line. Often lining up against players 30-40 pounds heavier and several inches taller, Lemon disrupted opponent offenses.
Standing at 5' 6 -3/4", sophomore linebacker Tim Skipper was presented with the inaugural Coaches Award. Skipper leads the Bulldogs in tackles with 115 and tackles for loss with 16. He posted double digits in tackles in six games this season, with a high of 14 vs. Texas Tech.
Senior Ken Foersch, who played at both guard and center this season after injuries to the offensive line, was named the team's Most Valuable Lineman (offense) and sophomore Justin Johnson earned the team's Most Valuable Lineman (defense) award. Foersch helped anchor an offensive line which ranked 55th nationally in rushing offense, 63rd nationally in passing offense and 55th in scoring offense, an improvement across the board from last season. Johnson was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week following an interception return for a touchdown against Texas Tech as well as four tackles.
Seniors Cory Hall and Bobby Brooks were named the Most Valuable Backs (defense) for their stellar performances this season. Hall recorded 13 total tackles on two occasions, against Texas Tech and Utah. He finished second on the team in total tackles with 90. Brooks, fourth on the team in tackles with 62, lead the Bulldogs with 6.5 quarterback sacks for 41 yards. Kimbrough was named the Most Valuable Back (offense).
Junior defensive back Payton Williams retained his spot as the team's "Top Dog" academically, posting the highest cumulative grade point average on the team.
The Dick Duncan Scout Team Player awards were presented to Joe Schey (offense) and Nick Burley (defense).
