HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i football head coach Greg McMackin announced the 2010 award winners at the annual awards banquet, sponsored by Na Koa, Sunday, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Quarterback
Bryant Moniz was the recipient of the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Warriors to a 10-win season and share of the Western Athletic Conference championship.
Moniz led the nation in both passing (356.1) and total offense (361.9). He threw for 36 touchdowns and 4,629 yards, the second highest single-season total in school history. He also set the school's single-game passing record, throwing for 560 yards in a win over San Jose State.
The Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award went to junior linebacker
Corey Paredes, the team's leading tackler (144) and nominee for the WAC's defensive player of the year. Paredes was a key member of a defense which led all FBS teams in turnovers forced with 36, including a nation-leading 23 interceptions.
For the second consecutive year, slot receiver
Greg Salas won the Most Outstanding Offensive Player award. Salas, the school's all-time leader in receiving yards with 4,131 yards, also is on the verge of breaking the school's single-season records for receptions and yards.
Lineman
Kaniela Tuipulotu received the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award after anchoring a line that did not allow a 100-yard rusher in WAC play. Long snapper
Luke Ingram was the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. In his two seasons as a Warrior, Ingram has not had one bad snap.
The Most Improved Player award went to slot receiver
Kealoha Pilares, who along with Salas formed a lethal one-two combination for Moniz. Pilares ranked fifth nationally in yards per game (108.8) and ninth in receptions per game (7.3). His 1,306 yards this season is the fifth highest single-season total in school history while his 15 touchdowns are four shy of the single-season record.
Safety
Mana Silva captured the Scholar-Athlete Award for the second straight year. On Saturday, Silva set a new UH career record with his 14
th interception.
Warrior Club honors went to running
Alex Green and cornerback
Jeramy Bryant. Green became the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1992 and also broke a 60-year old record for most yards rushing in a game (327) vs. New Mexico State. Bryant was the team's best corner and tallied four interceptions and three fumbles recovered.
The Scout Team Award winner was safety Daryl McBride while the Captain's Award recipients were Salas and defensive lineman
Vaughn Meatoga.
In addition, center
Bronson Tiwanak was given the Most Unselfish Warrior Award. Tiwanak, a walk-on and school's nominee for The Rudy Award, earned the starting job a week before the season-opener due to an injury to the team's starter and never relinquished the position, starting all 13 games this season.
The Warriors (10-3) finished the regular season with just the sixth 10-win season in school history and captured a share of their fourth WAC title. Hawai'i will next play in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, where it will face Tulsa, Dec. 24 at Aloha Stadium.
2010 Award Winners
Scout Team Award: Daryl McBride
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