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Ridley named offensive MVP
LSU junior running back Stevan Ridley of Natchez received the Percy E. Roberts Award for most valuable player on offense and was also named as one of four permanent team captains for the Tigers Sunday at LSU's annual football banquet.
"I was surprised, but at the same time I wasn't surprised," Ridley said. "I was a little disappointed not making the first team All-SEC by the AP, but I was happy to be named first team on the Coaches All-SEC team. It's really been an exciting year."
Ridley said he is just as thrilled at being named as a team captain as being named MVP on offense. Joining him as the National L-Club permanent team captains as voted on by members of the squad were Nevis and Kelvin Sheppard on defense and Josh Jasper on special teams.
"I took more of a leadership role this year," Ridley said. "I had to get more vocal instead of staying quiet like I did my freshman and sophomore years. I was trying to do and say things to get this team fired up. We accomplished a lot more this year and I believe we are still blossoming. I believe next year will be even better."
Ridley led the Tigers and ranked third in the SEC with 1,042 yards and 14 touchdowns.
One of his best-known plays of the season came against Alabama with LSU trailing 14-13 in the final quarter. Runs of 18 and 19 yards by Ridley put the Tigers at the Alabama 35. LSU was faced with fourth-and-1 from the Tide 30. After taking a timeout, Miles called a two-toss reverse which was first pitched to Ridley and then to Deangelo Peterson who took off to the left. With Jefferson blocking ahead, the 23-yard run to the 3-yard line stunned the Tide and led to a 1-yard Ridley touchdown on third down.A two-point conversion pass from Jefferson hit Randle in the numbers and LSU led 21-14 with 8:13 left to play.
"That was a play Coach (Les) Miles put in that we worked on all week in practice," Ridley said. "We knew he was going to call it, we just didn't know when. I practiced that pitch about 30 times. We were confident it would work. We knew Alabama would sell out on me running the ball. I just didn't want to make it harder than it was."
Ridley said he looks forward to next season. When asked about the chance of representing LSU at the SEC Media Days in July of 2011, Ridley said that would be a big deal for him.
"I'm hoping LSU will promote me a lot more next year," he said. "I love talking to the media. And I'm looking forward to taking even more of a leadership role."
Cornerback Patrick Peterson was named the recipient of the Charles McClendon Award as the most outstanding player on the LSU football team.
The Percy E. Roberts Award for defense was shared by defensive tackle Drake Nevis and safety Brandon Taylor. Nevis, a first-team All-SEC pick, led the Tigers with 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Taylor recorded 44 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss before suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama in early November.
Sheppard was also presented with the George M. Wallace Memorial Award, which goes to the defensive player who distinguished himself by performance, leadership and commitment to the team. Sheppard led the Tigers and ranked third in the league with 108 tackles.
A first-team All-SEC selection, Sheppard was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following LSU's win over Alabama.
The Butch Duhe Award, which is given annually to the players who most personify unselfishness, dependability, and commitment to the team, was awarded to Terrence Toliver, Joseph Barksdale, and Lazarius Levingston.
Nevis, Peterson and Richard Murphy were each given the Alvin Roy Award for their year-round dedication to strength and conditioning, while Richard Dugas was presented with the Dr. Charles Coates Award as the top student-athlete on the football team. Dugas graduates this week with a 3.2 grade point average in business.
The Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award was given to Murphy, T.C. McCartney, Jai Eugene and T-Bob Hebert as a result of their contributions to the team without receiving a great deal of recognition.
Daniel Graff earned the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for most special teams production, while Jasper, Peterson and Ron Brooks were give the Special Teams Coaches Award. |
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