Jacob Richard Takes Home MVP Award at Football Team?s Honors Banquet
February 29, 2016 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State football team officially wrapped up the 2015 season Saturday night with the team's annual Honors Banquet, which was held at the BSU Alumni Center.
Offensive lineman Jacob Richard, who started 37 consecutive games at center, took home the headline award as the team's most valuable player, the John Magnabosco Award. The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco's 68 victories as the Cardinals' head coach is still the program record.
Richard began his Ball State career as a walk-on and left as a three-time All-MAC honoree. This past fall, Richard was selected to the All-MAC second team and also served as one of three team captains. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State last spring.
The John Hodge Award, which goes to the team's most valuable freshman or freshmen, went to quarterback Riley Neal and defensive back Lamont McPhatter. Neal made his first collegiate start at No. 17 Northwestern on Sept. 26 and started the final nine games of the season. He ranked eighth in the MAC in passing yards (2,276) while throwing for 16 scores and rushing for two more.
McPhatter played in every game with three starts on the defensive side of the ball. His 14 tackles in the win over UMass on Oct. 31 equaled a team season high. McPhatter also recorded double-figure stops at Northern Illinois on Oct. 10 (12).
Kick returner KeVonn Mabon received the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000. Mabon averaged 27.2 yards per return, which ranked 13th nationally. He returned a fourth quarter kick 89 yards for a touchdown against Central Michigan on Oct. 24.
Jordan Williams, a senior wide receiver, was named the winner of the Gene Booker Academic Award. The award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's history. Williams owns a 3.038 cumulative grade point average and is majoring in risk management and insurance.
Offensive lineman Nick Plavchak was honored with the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and the late Mary Ellen Hays, who spent their lives as fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program. Plavchak saw action in every game with eight starts on the offensive line as a senior.
Fellow offensive lineman Ian Anderson picked up the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award, which is given in honor of former Ball State football coach (1985-94), who led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 MAC championships. Schudel guided Ball State to its first-ever NCAA Division I FBS bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
The Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were defensive lineman Fred Schroeder and offensive lineman Grant Williamson. The award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club board member as well as longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football.
Senior linebacker Ben Ingle was the recipient of the Dave McClain Leadership Award. The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He oversaw the Cardinals during the transition into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC championship in only the Cardinals' second season in the conference. McClain's final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC record.
Ingle, a two-time team captain, started more than 30 games in his time as a Cardinal. As a senior, Ingle led the team in tackles (102) while ranking second in both tackles for loss (6.0) and pass break-ups (four).
Linebacker Sean Wiggins and tight end Sam Brunner shared the Ray Louthen Award. This award, which honors the memory of the former Ball State head football coach (1962-67) and school's athletics director (1970-81), is bestowed upon the team's most improved player(s).
Wiggins, in his first season as a starter, was one of just two Cardinals to earn All-MAC first team accolades. He finished second on the team and 14th in the league in tackles (95). Wiggins reached double figure tackles in four contests and posted nine stops in four others. Brunner, who only had three receptions in the previous two years on the team, piled up seven catches for 73 yards as a junior.
Finally, the 12th Man Award was presented to Dr. Jay Matchett, who is retiring from Central Indiana Orthopedics, a practice he joined in 1984. Dr. Matchett worked with thousands of patients from Muncie and the surrounding area for the past 32 years, as well as being the team doctor for the Ball State football and basketball teams,
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