Offensive Performer-of-the-Year

Dominic Randolph, Sr., QB, Holy Cross

Our offensive performer-of-the-year is Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph. Randolph was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, after completing 340 of 520 passes this year for 3,838 yards and 34 touchdowns. He set Holy Cross single-season records for passing yards, total offense (3,917 yards), completions and passing attempts, while tying the single-season mark for touchdown passes. Randolph led the Patriot League in total offense, passing yards and pass efficiency (142.4 rating), in addition to leading the nation in total offense, passing yards and completions. Over the course of his career as a Crusader, he has completed 821 of 1,301 passes for 9,679 yards and 83 touchdowns. Randolph owns the Holy Cross career records for total offense (9,984 yards), touchdown passes, completions and attempts, while standing second in passing yards. He was also a Power Performer Finalist in 2007, and named the winner of the 70th annual George "Bulger" Lowe Award, as the Division I Player of the Year in New England.

This year, Randolf also finished second in total points, being responsible for 20.73 average per game. First in total passing, with an average of 30.91 completions per game, 34 TDs, and 11.29 yards-per-completion. Yet, what is most impressive about our 2008 offensive POY? Despite all of this offensive power, Randolf still managed to be the 23rd most efficient quarterback in the nation. Congratulations to Dominic Randolph, Sr., quarterback, Holy Cross ...Pete's 2008 Offensive Player-of-the-Year.

Defensive Performer-of-the-Year

Cristian Sarmento, Sr., LB, Northern Colorado

Our defensive POY is Northern Colorado's Cristian Sarmento. Remaining virtually unnoticed by most of national media until after the season ended, Sarmento did not receive the notoriety of many other FCS players. With some of the staggering individual numbers of many, Sarmento's consistent performance speaks for itself.

With his constantly active and aggressive style of play, Sarmento did not escape the eyes of those that know the game. First-team all-Conference, AP All-American, and Walter Camp are just a few of his honors; which also includes FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team. Sarmento led the Big Sky Conference and ranked among the top five in the nation in total tackles with 142 and was a Big Sky All-Conference First-Team selection. He has a 3.46 grade point average in sport and exercise science and is working on becoming a physical education teacher. He is the only three-year player to rank on the Big Sky charts in total tackles as the Bears were not a member of the league in his freshman season, ending his stellar career with 376 stops and 15 career sacks.

Sarmento ended the season ranked #2 in tackles nationally, averaging 12.91 per-game. He ranked second in the nation in solo tackles, at 6.55 per-contest. He finished sixth in the nation in sacks, with all 10 sacks being unassisted. Additionally, Cristian ranked fifth nationally in forced fumbles (.45 pg) and in the top-25 in tackles-for-loss at 16 (1.36 pg). Congratulations to Cristian Sarmento, Sr Linebacker, Northern Colorado ...Pete's 2008 Defensive Player-of-the-Year.

Special Teams Performer-of-the-Year

Larry Warner, Sr., RB, Southern Illinois

Our special teams "Power Performer" for 2008 is senior running back Larry Warner of Southern Illinois. Warner was more of an all-purpose back, finishing as a finalist for both Special Teams and Offensive POY awards.

Warner led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in all-purpose (187 ypg) and kick return (31.2 ypr) yardage. He was also a first-team all-conference, AFCA and Associated Press All-American. Nationally, Larry finished second in kick returns, 24th in punt returns, and 24th in rushing. The net result was finishing third nationally in all-purpose running.

Generously listed on the roster at 5-4, Warner may be small in stature, but he is enormous in performance both on and off the field. Warner was one 22 college football players named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. The entire AFCA Good Works Team was honored during a special halftime presentation at the Sugar Bowl. Congratulations to Larry Warner, Sr Running Back, Southern Illinois...Pete's 2008 Special Teams Player-of-the-Year.

Head Coach-of-the-Year

Oliver "Buddy" Pough, South Carolina State

Coach of the Year honors went to Bulldog head coach Buddy Pough, who led the Bulldogs to their first playoff berth in 26 years. Under Pough’s guidance, the Bulldogs finished the season with a 10-3 overall mark and clinched the MEAC title with an unblemished 8-0 conference record.

Since taking over the reigns at his alma mater five years ago, Pough has turned the Bulldogs into perennial contenders for the MEAC crown and in FCS/Division I-AA. The SC State alum has compiled a five-year 50-20 overall record and a 37-10 MEAC worksheet, with just three conference losses the last three seasons.

Lifetime/Career Achievement Award

Herb Donaldson, SR, Running Back, Western Illinois

The career/lifetime achievement award goes to Leatherneck running back Herb Donaldson. A three time nominee (two-time finalist) for our Offensive POY award, as well a 3-time Payton Award candidate.

Known for his ability to carry a heavy workload, Donaldson is just the fifth player in FCS history to rush for 300 yards twice in a career. Against Indiana State as a sophomore, he racked up 328 yards and six touchdowns on 39 carries. Then as a junior he rushed for 314 yards against Missouri State. He nearly become the first player in history to hit 300 yards three times, with a 273-yard performance on a school-record 41 carries against Missouri State. Donaldson surpassed the 200-yard mark on four occasions as a senior, Ten times in his career he recorded more than 30 carries, and he owns seven of the top 15 rushing games in WIU history.

Herb Donaldson in the Record Books

School single-game records held:
Attempts - 41 (twice, 2008)
Yards - 328 (vs. Indiana State, 2006)
Touchdowns - 6 (vs. Indiana State, 2006)

Conference single-game records held:
Yards - 328 (vs. Indiana State, 2006)
Touchdowns – 6 (vs. Indiana State, 2006)

FCS single-game records held:
Most rushing yards in a half - 282 (vs. Indiana State, 2006)

Conference single-season records held:
Fewest games to 1,000 yards – 7 (2007, 2008)

School career records held:
Rushing yards - 4,746
Rushing touchdowns - 50
100-yard games - 23
200-yard games - 7
Yards per carry - 5.732
Fewest games to 1,000 yards - 7

Conference career records held:
Rushing yards – 4,746
100-yard games - 2

School record book:
Single-season rushing attempts – 324, 3rd (2008)
Single-season yards – 1,784, 2nd (2008)
Single-season yards per game - 162.2, 2nd (2008)
Single-season yards per carry - 5.506, 4th (2008)
Single-season rushing touchdowns - 21, 2nd (2008)
Single-season 100-yard games - 9, 3rd (2008)
Single-season 200-yard games - 4, 2nd (2008)
Single-season all-purpose yards - 1,860, 2nd (2008)
Single-season touchdowns - 22, 2nd (2008)
Single-season points - 132, 2nd (2008)
Career rushing attempts - 828, 2nd
Career points - 308, 3rd
Career touchdowns - 51, 2nd
Career all-purpose yards - 5,042, 2nd

Conference record book:
Single-season points – 132, 4th (2008)
Single-season touchdowns – 22, 4th (2008)
Single-season rushing attempts – 324, 3rd (2008)
Single-season rushing yards – 1,784, 5th (2008)
Single-season rushing touchdowns – 21, 4th (2008)
Career points – 308, 7th
Career all-purpose yards – 5,042, 6th
Career touchdowns – 51, 4th
Career rushing attempts – 828, 4th
Career rushing touchdowns – 50, 3rd