Fresno State Athletics
Pinegar Named Bulldog MVP for 2005
12/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Pat Hill handed out the awards for the 2005 football season at the annual football awards banquet held at the New Exhibit Hall in downtown Fresno Sunday afternoon. Nearly 600 fans attended the function.
Senior quarterback Paul Pinegar was selected the team's Most Valuable Player in voting by the Bulldog players. Pinegar had a magical senior season in which he led the WAC and ranking among the best quarterbacks in the nation. During his senior season he broke the Fresno State career record for touchdown passes (83)
"Paul has had an amazing senior season and a great career," said Hill. "All he does is win games. He will go down as one of the greatest in school history."
Hill credited the senior class of 16 players for earning four straight bowl invitations and winning the last three. Fresno State will play Tulsa in the 47th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31. The game will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 10 a.m. PT Tickets for the game are available at the Bulldog Ticket Office or on line at www.gobulldogs.com.
"This awards banquet is to not only honor the team for an outstanding season, but also to honor the seniors," said Hill. "This was their team. They showed great leadership and maturity and they will be remembered for that. In no way should the outcome of the last three games diminish what they have accomplished in their careers. We have one big game left at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and we will write a classic ending to a great season."
Senior defense end Garrett McIntyre was selected the team's most inspirational player award, which was selected the team. McIntyre also claimed his third straight most valuable defensive lineman award.
Senior running back Matt Rivera was awarded a new award this season, called the Don Duncan Over Achiever Award. Rivera, a former walk-on, has been a valuable offensive contributor in his career. The award was named for former Bulldog quarterback Don Duncan, who played at Fresno State in the 1950s. Duncan and his family were on hand to present the award.
The Director' Academic Award was presented to two outstanding student-athletes, safety Tyrone Culver and linebacker Kyle Goodman. Culver is a Health Sciences Major who plans to attend dental school, while Goodman graduated with honors in three years and is enrolled in the Craig School of Business MBA program.
Here's a breakdown of the awards handed down during the ceremony.
Other awards presented were:
Dick Duncan Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year: Sean Norton
Dick Duncan Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year: Moses Harris
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman:Kyle Young
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman:Garrett McIntyre
Most Valuable Offensive Back:Wendell Mathis
Most Valuable Defensive Back:Tyrone Culver and Dwayne Andrews
Special Teams Player of the Year:Adam Jennings
Director's Academic Award:Kyle Goodman and Tyrone Culver
Don Duncan Over Achiever:Matt Rivera
Most Inspirational Player:Garrett McIntyre
Most Valuable Player:Paul Pinegar
