The success of the Skyhawk football team this season has resulted in several nominations for individual awards. Head coach Matt Griffin is one of sixteen finalists for The Sports Network’s Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. In his third season at the helm of the Skyhawks, Griffin led the team to its first winning season since 1993, finishing 6-5. Griffin has accumulated a 10-24 overall record at UTM and has improved his record each year. Bob Spoo of Eastern Illinois also represents the Ohio Valley Conference on the list of finalists.

The award, established in 1987, is given annually to the top head coach in Division I-AA. The winner will be announced at the annual Division I-AA College Football Awards December 15 in Chattanooga.

Robinson, who retired from Grambling State after the 1997 season, is college football’s all-time winningest coach with a career record of 408-164-15.

Six members of the team were honored by the OVC for their actions on the field this season. Sophomore running back Donald Chapman and senior defensive end Andre Plummer were named to the All-OVC first team offense and defense.

Chapman, a Marietta, Ga. native, rushed for 1,396 yards in 11 games this season, the best mark in the OVC. Chapman also led the conference in touchdowns (16) and yards per game (126.9). He finished fifth in yards per carry, averaging 4.6 yards on each run.

Plummer, a Memphis, Tenn. native, tallied 46 tackles this season, including eight tackles for a loss and four sacks. He also forced two fumbles and blocked three kicks.

The All-OVC second team offense included senior quarterback Brady Wahlberg, junior Taurean Stephens and junior offensive guard Alex Atkins. Junior linebacker David Gilmore was named to the All-OVC second team defense.

Wahlberg, from Panama City, Fla., finished the season with a 117.7 quarterback rating in ten games, third-best in the OVC. He completed 168 of 266 pass attempts with 10 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He led the OVC with a 68.2 completion percentage.

Stephens, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, had 60 catches and five touchdowns in 11 games. He averaged 10.9 yards per catch and 59.2 yards per game.

Atkins, a Memphis, Tenn., native, averaged an 87 percent grade. He started all 11 games this season and finished with 39 knockdowns.

Gilmore, from Cordova, Tenn., tied for fifth in the OVC with 91 tackles and led the conference with 14 tackles for loss. He also picked up four sacks and forced four fumbles.

Eastern Kentucky quarterback Josh Greco and Eastern Illinois linebacker Clint Sellers have been selected for top honors on the 2005 All-Ohio Valley Conference football team.

Greco edged out Jacksonville State tailback Clay Green for the OVC Offensive Player of the Year award while Sellers was the overwhelming pick for OVC Defensive Player of the Year.

Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams captured OVC Freshman of the Year accolades, while Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo earned the Roy Kidd OVC Coach of the Year award, presented by Schutt Sports.