Colorado University Athletics
Lindsay on one of 301 rushing attempts in 2017.
Photo by: Tony Harman
Lindsay Named State's Offensive Player of the Year
December 19, 2017 | Football
Selected by Colorado's NFF Chapter
BOULDER — University of Colorado senior tailback Phillip Lindsay has been named the state's offensive player of the year by the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
Largely unrecruited after tearing his ACL as a senior at Denver South High School, he proceeded to play in all 51 of CU's games in his career (including the Alamo Bowl with 30 starts), and in the process became Colorado's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,760) and yards from scrimmage (4,683). He finished as the Buffs' second all-time leading rusher with 3,707 yards and is the first player in CU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (and just the second to have two).
He also finished fourth on the scoring chart (234 points, second to only Eric Bieniemy by non-kickers), and with 110 receptions for 976 yards, he also set school records for the most in each by a running back; he became the 14th player to join CU's 500/500 Club (rushing and receiving yards), narrowly missing becoming the first to hit 1,000 in both (which he did counting the bowl game, but CU does not include those numbers—for any player). Overall, he set 24 records and tied two others in his CU career.
"It's an honor to be able to win this award, especially coming out of Denver South (High School), the University of Colorado and the state of Colorado," Lindsay said. "It's been a fun ride, and it's really a privilege to represent the state with this kind of honor – but also coming out of and representing the DPS (Denver Public Schools) is a privilege in itself to receive this recognition."
As a senior this season, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors from the Associated Press at the all-purpose position, and honorable mention accolades at running back by the league coaches. He emerged as one of the top running backs in the nation and was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award while being named CU's Zack Jordan Award as the team's most valuable player. He rushed for 1,474 yards, the fifth-most in a single-season at Colorado, which was the 10th-most in the NCAA for the regular season (fifth in the Pac-12) … His 301 attempts set a school single-season mark and also led the nation. He led the Buffs in scoring with 90 points on the strength of 15 touchdowns (14 rushing), and earned 93 first downs in averaging 144.3 all-purpose yards per game, which was good for second in the Pac-12 and 11th nationally.
Lindsay is the first Buffalo to win the offensive honor since the award was conceived by the chapter's board in 2003. Linebacker Jordan Dizon won the defensive nod in 2007, with Jeremy Bloom (2002) and placekicker Mason Crosby (2004, 2005, 2006) claiming special team player of the year accolades.
Lindsay, along with offensive tackle Jeromy Irwin and cornerback Isaiah Oliver garnered first-team All-Colorado honors, with receiver Bryce Bobo, guard Gerrad Kough, defensive end Leo Jackson, linebackers Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis and placekicker James Stefanou earning second-team mention.
The defensive player of the year award winner was linebacker Dean Wegner from Colorado Mines; the special teams honor went to receiver/kick returner Virnel Moon from Colorado Mesa; and the coach of the year selection was CSU-Pueblo's John Wristen for the sixth time in the last seven seasons (Colorado's Mike MacIntyre snapped that streak in 2016).
All recipients will be recognized at the chapter's 25th annual scholar-athlete banquet, scheduled for Monday, April 9 in Golden. The team and specialty awards are voted on by members of the chapter's board and one representative from each school.
2017 All-NFFCC Team
First Team Offense
QB Eystin Salum, Colorado Mesa, Jr., QB, 6-1, 185, Denver, Colo. / Regis Jesuit
RB Phillip Lindsay, Colorado / Sr., TB, 5-8, 190, Aurora, Colo. (Denver South)
RB Cameron Mayberry, Colorado School of Mines, R-So., RB, 5-11, 200, Stillwater, Okla./Stillwater
WR Michael Gallup, Colorado State, SR, WR, 6-1, 200, Monroe, Ga/Butler County CC)
WR Chad Hovasse, Adams State, R-Jr., WR, 6-1, 215, Colorado Springs, Colo./Mesa Ridge
TE Zach Boyd, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., TE, 6-4, 248, Fort Lupton, Colo. / Fort Lupton HS
OL Jeromy Irwin, Colorado / Sr., OT, 6-5, 300, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Fairbanks)
OL Corbin Feenstra, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., OL, 6-3, 287, Superior, Colo. / Monarch HS
OL Austin Fleer, Colorado Mesa, Sr., OL, 6-8, 300, Aurora, Colo. / Grandview
OL Ty McCulley, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., OL, 6-5, 308, Pueblo, Colo. / Pueblo Central HS
OL Jake Bennett, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-3, 290, Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek HS
First Team Defense
LB Brandon Payer, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., ILB, 6-4, 248, Pine, Colo. / Conifer HS
LB Dean Wenger, Colorado School of Mines, R-Sr., OLB, 5-11, 200, Queen Creek, Ariz./Queen Creek
LB Josh Watson, Colorado State, RS JR, LB, 6-2, 240, Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South HS
LB Grant Ross, Air Force, ILB, 6-1, 225, Sr., Houston, TX (Kashmere)
DB Isaiah Oliver, Colorado / Jr., CB, 6-1, 195, Goodyear, Ariz. (Brophy Prep)
DB Darius Williams, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., CB, 6-0, 195, Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field HS
DB Emery Taylor, CSU-Pueblo, So., CB, 5-9, 162, Aurora, Colo. / Columbine HS
DB Tanner Draper, CSU-Pueblo, So., DB, 6-4, 200, Amarillo, Texas / Randall HS
DL Blake Nelson, Colorado Mesa, Sr., DL, 5-11, 230, Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe
DL Josh Croy, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., DL, 6-4, 260, Littleton, Colo. / Columbine HS
DL Kiefer Morris, Northern Colorado, DE, R-Jr., 6-4, 250, Parker, Colo./Chaparral HS
First Team Special Teams
ST Virnel Moon, Colorado Mesa, Sr., WR & ST, 5-10, 165, El Cajon, Calif. / El Cajon Valley
ST Kevin Ribarich, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., PR, 5-6, 155, Pueblo, Colo. / Pueblo East HS
Second Team Offense
QB Nick Stevens, Colorado State, RS SR, QB, 6-3, 215, Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS
RB Dalyn Dawkins, Colorado State, RS SR, RB, 5-9, 185, Louisville, Ky./Purdue
RB David Tann, Colorado Mesa, Sr., RB, 5-10, 210, Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Washington
WR Brody Oliver, Colorado School of Mines, R-Jr., WR, 6-3, 210, Elizabeth, Colo./Elizabeth
WR Bryce Bobo, Colorado / Sr., WR, 6-2, 205, Covina, Calif. (Charter Oak)
TE Dalton Fackrell, Colorado State, SR, TE, 6-4, 240, South Jordan, Utah/Snow College
OL Alex Norton, Air Force, OL, 6-2, 285, Sr., Hamlet, NC (Richmond)
OL Zack Golditch, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-5, 295, Aurora, Colo./Gateway HS
OL Gerrad Kough, Colorado / Sr., OG, 6-4, 295, Pomona, Calif. (Pomona)
OL Aaron Simons, Colorado Mesa, Sr., OL, 6-2, 285, Chandler, Ariz. / Corona Del Sol
OL Trae Moxley, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-6, 330, Carbondale, Colo./Roaring Fork HS
Second Team Defense
LB Noor Shongolo, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., OLB, 6-1, 225, Commerce City, Colo. / Adams City HS
LB Rick Gamboa, Colorado / Jr., ILB, 6-0, 240, Sylmar, Calif. (Chaminade College Prep)
LB Drew Lewis, Colorado / Jr., ILB, 6-2, 230, Sammamish, Wash. (Eastlake/Coffeyville)
LB Tom Saager, Colorado Mesa, Sr., LB, 6-6, 250, Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe
DB Garrett Jackson, Adams State University, R-Jr., S, 6-1, 180, Baltimore, MD/Coppin State University
DB Donnell Pleasant III, Fort Lewis, JR, S, 5-10, 216, San Diego, Calif./Southwestern
DB Marquise Griffin, Air Force, DB, 5-11, 195, Sr., Stockbridge, GA (Eagles Landing Christian)
DB Stone Kane, Northern Colorado, S, Sr., 5-11, 205, Fairbank, Iowa/Iowa Western CC
DL Deyon Sizer, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., DL, 6-4, 281, Aurora, Colo. / Eaglecrest HS
DL George Marpaung, Fort Lewis, So., DT, 5-10, 287, Aurora, Colo./Rangview
DL Leo Jackson, Colorado / Sr., DE, 6-3, 275, Decatur, Ga. (North Atlanta/Foothill College)
Second Team Special Teams
ST James Stefanou, Colorado / Fr., PK, 6-1, 185, Melbourne, Australia (Rose Hill)
ST Luke Strebel, Air Force, PK, 5-11, 175, Sr., Nashville, TN (Father Ryan)
2017 NFFCC Coach of the Year / John Wristen, CSU-Pueblo
Wristen was named RMAC Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career and sixth time in the last seven years. He guided the ThunderWolves to their sixth RMAC title in the last seven years. The Pack reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven years. The ThunderWolves scoring offense was second in the RMAC and 24th nationally at the end of the regular season. CSU-Pueblo finished the regular season fourth nationally in both interceptions (21) and team passing efficiency defense (88.95) and were 10th in scoring defense (14.3 ppg) and total defense (273.5 ypg).
2017 NFFCC Offensive Player of the Year / Phillip Lindsay, Colorado
See above.
2017 NFFCC Defensive Player of the Year / Dean Wenger, Colorado Mines
A team captain and First-Team All-RMAC selection, Wenger was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 30). He led Mines with 72 total tackles. Wenger tallied 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also led Mines with six total turnovers created (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble), and also blocked a kick. Wenger added a fumble recovery for a touchdown as well.
2017 NFFCC Special Teams Player of the Year / Virnel Moon, Colorado Mesa
The RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year, Virnel Moon was selected to the D2CCAA All-Super Region 4 First Team. He led NCAA Division II in Kick Return Touchdowns (three) and averaged 27.6 yards per kick return. As a wide receiver, he caught 23 passes for 633 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the NCAA Division II in Yards per Reception (27.52).
Largely unrecruited after tearing his ACL as a senior at Denver South High School, he proceeded to play in all 51 of CU's games in his career (including the Alamo Bowl with 30 starts), and in the process became Colorado's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,760) and yards from scrimmage (4,683). He finished as the Buffs' second all-time leading rusher with 3,707 yards and is the first player in CU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (and just the second to have two).
He also finished fourth on the scoring chart (234 points, second to only Eric Bieniemy by non-kickers), and with 110 receptions for 976 yards, he also set school records for the most in each by a running back; he became the 14th player to join CU's 500/500 Club (rushing and receiving yards), narrowly missing becoming the first to hit 1,000 in both (which he did counting the bowl game, but CU does not include those numbers—for any player). Overall, he set 24 records and tied two others in his CU career.
"It's an honor to be able to win this award, especially coming out of Denver South (High School), the University of Colorado and the state of Colorado," Lindsay said. "It's been a fun ride, and it's really a privilege to represent the state with this kind of honor – but also coming out of and representing the DPS (Denver Public Schools) is a privilege in itself to receive this recognition."
As a senior this season, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors from the Associated Press at the all-purpose position, and honorable mention accolades at running back by the league coaches. He emerged as one of the top running backs in the nation and was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award while being named CU's Zack Jordan Award as the team's most valuable player. He rushed for 1,474 yards, the fifth-most in a single-season at Colorado, which was the 10th-most in the NCAA for the regular season (fifth in the Pac-12) … His 301 attempts set a school single-season mark and also led the nation. He led the Buffs in scoring with 90 points on the strength of 15 touchdowns (14 rushing), and earned 93 first downs in averaging 144.3 all-purpose yards per game, which was good for second in the Pac-12 and 11th nationally.
Lindsay is the first Buffalo to win the offensive honor since the award was conceived by the chapter's board in 2003. Linebacker Jordan Dizon won the defensive nod in 2007, with Jeremy Bloom (2002) and placekicker Mason Crosby (2004, 2005, 2006) claiming special team player of the year accolades.
Lindsay, along with offensive tackle Jeromy Irwin and cornerback Isaiah Oliver garnered first-team All-Colorado honors, with receiver Bryce Bobo, guard Gerrad Kough, defensive end Leo Jackson, linebackers Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis and placekicker James Stefanou earning second-team mention.
The defensive player of the year award winner was linebacker Dean Wegner from Colorado Mines; the special teams honor went to receiver/kick returner Virnel Moon from Colorado Mesa; and the coach of the year selection was CSU-Pueblo's John Wristen for the sixth time in the last seven seasons (Colorado's Mike MacIntyre snapped that streak in 2016).
All recipients will be recognized at the chapter's 25th annual scholar-athlete banquet, scheduled for Monday, April 9 in Golden. The team and specialty awards are voted on by members of the chapter's board and one representative from each school.
2017 All-NFFCC Team
First Team Offense
QB Eystin Salum, Colorado Mesa, Jr., QB, 6-1, 185, Denver, Colo. / Regis Jesuit
RB Phillip Lindsay, Colorado / Sr., TB, 5-8, 190, Aurora, Colo. (Denver South)
RB Cameron Mayberry, Colorado School of Mines, R-So., RB, 5-11, 200, Stillwater, Okla./Stillwater
WR Michael Gallup, Colorado State, SR, WR, 6-1, 200, Monroe, Ga/Butler County CC)
WR Chad Hovasse, Adams State, R-Jr., WR, 6-1, 215, Colorado Springs, Colo./Mesa Ridge
TE Zach Boyd, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., TE, 6-4, 248, Fort Lupton, Colo. / Fort Lupton HS
OL Jeromy Irwin, Colorado / Sr., OT, 6-5, 300, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Fairbanks)
OL Corbin Feenstra, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., OL, 6-3, 287, Superior, Colo. / Monarch HS
OL Austin Fleer, Colorado Mesa, Sr., OL, 6-8, 300, Aurora, Colo. / Grandview
OL Ty McCulley, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., OL, 6-5, 308, Pueblo, Colo. / Pueblo Central HS
OL Jake Bennett, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-3, 290, Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek HS
First Team Defense
LB Brandon Payer, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., ILB, 6-4, 248, Pine, Colo. / Conifer HS
LB Dean Wenger, Colorado School of Mines, R-Sr., OLB, 5-11, 200, Queen Creek, Ariz./Queen Creek
LB Josh Watson, Colorado State, RS JR, LB, 6-2, 240, Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South HS
LB Grant Ross, Air Force, ILB, 6-1, 225, Sr., Houston, TX (Kashmere)
DB Isaiah Oliver, Colorado / Jr., CB, 6-1, 195, Goodyear, Ariz. (Brophy Prep)
DB Darius Williams, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., CB, 6-0, 195, Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field HS
DB Emery Taylor, CSU-Pueblo, So., CB, 5-9, 162, Aurora, Colo. / Columbine HS
DB Tanner Draper, CSU-Pueblo, So., DB, 6-4, 200, Amarillo, Texas / Randall HS
DL Blake Nelson, Colorado Mesa, Sr., DL, 5-11, 230, Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe
DL Josh Croy, CSU-Pueblo, Sr., DL, 6-4, 260, Littleton, Colo. / Columbine HS
DL Kiefer Morris, Northern Colorado, DE, R-Jr., 6-4, 250, Parker, Colo./Chaparral HS
First Team Special Teams
ST Virnel Moon, Colorado Mesa, Sr., WR & ST, 5-10, 165, El Cajon, Calif. / El Cajon Valley
ST Kevin Ribarich, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., PR, 5-6, 155, Pueblo, Colo. / Pueblo East HS
Second Team Offense
QB Nick Stevens, Colorado State, RS SR, QB, 6-3, 215, Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS
RB Dalyn Dawkins, Colorado State, RS SR, RB, 5-9, 185, Louisville, Ky./Purdue
RB David Tann, Colorado Mesa, Sr., RB, 5-10, 210, Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Washington
WR Brody Oliver, Colorado School of Mines, R-Jr., WR, 6-3, 210, Elizabeth, Colo./Elizabeth
WR Bryce Bobo, Colorado / Sr., WR, 6-2, 205, Covina, Calif. (Charter Oak)
TE Dalton Fackrell, Colorado State, SR, TE, 6-4, 240, South Jordan, Utah/Snow College
OL Alex Norton, Air Force, OL, 6-2, 285, Sr., Hamlet, NC (Richmond)
OL Zack Golditch, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-5, 295, Aurora, Colo./Gateway HS
OL Gerrad Kough, Colorado / Sr., OG, 6-4, 295, Pomona, Calif. (Pomona)
OL Aaron Simons, Colorado Mesa, Sr., OL, 6-2, 285, Chandler, Ariz. / Corona Del Sol
OL Trae Moxley, Colorado State, RS SR, OL, 6-6, 330, Carbondale, Colo./Roaring Fork HS
Second Team Defense
LB Noor Shongolo, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., OLB, 6-1, 225, Commerce City, Colo. / Adams City HS
LB Rick Gamboa, Colorado / Jr., ILB, 6-0, 240, Sylmar, Calif. (Chaminade College Prep)
LB Drew Lewis, Colorado / Jr., ILB, 6-2, 230, Sammamish, Wash. (Eastlake/Coffeyville)
LB Tom Saager, Colorado Mesa, Sr., LB, 6-6, 250, Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe
DB Garrett Jackson, Adams State University, R-Jr., S, 6-1, 180, Baltimore, MD/Coppin State University
DB Donnell Pleasant III, Fort Lewis, JR, S, 5-10, 216, San Diego, Calif./Southwestern
DB Marquise Griffin, Air Force, DB, 5-11, 195, Sr., Stockbridge, GA (Eagles Landing Christian)
DB Stone Kane, Northern Colorado, S, Sr., 5-11, 205, Fairbank, Iowa/Iowa Western CC
DL Deyon Sizer, CSU-Pueblo, Jr., DL, 6-4, 281, Aurora, Colo. / Eaglecrest HS
DL George Marpaung, Fort Lewis, So., DT, 5-10, 287, Aurora, Colo./Rangview
DL Leo Jackson, Colorado / Sr., DE, 6-3, 275, Decatur, Ga. (North Atlanta/Foothill College)
Second Team Special Teams
ST James Stefanou, Colorado / Fr., PK, 6-1, 185, Melbourne, Australia (Rose Hill)
ST Luke Strebel, Air Force, PK, 5-11, 175, Sr., Nashville, TN (Father Ryan)
2017 NFFCC Coach of the Year / John Wristen, CSU-Pueblo
Wristen was named RMAC Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career and sixth time in the last seven years. He guided the ThunderWolves to their sixth RMAC title in the last seven years. The Pack reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven years. The ThunderWolves scoring offense was second in the RMAC and 24th nationally at the end of the regular season. CSU-Pueblo finished the regular season fourth nationally in both interceptions (21) and team passing efficiency defense (88.95) and were 10th in scoring defense (14.3 ppg) and total defense (273.5 ypg).
2017 NFFCC Offensive Player of the Year / Phillip Lindsay, Colorado
See above.
2017 NFFCC Defensive Player of the Year / Dean Wenger, Colorado Mines
A team captain and First-Team All-RMAC selection, Wenger was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 30). He led Mines with 72 total tackles. Wenger tallied 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also led Mines with six total turnovers created (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble), and also blocked a kick. Wenger added a fumble recovery for a touchdown as well.
2017 NFFCC Special Teams Player of the Year / Virnel Moon, Colorado Mesa
The RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year, Virnel Moon was selected to the D2CCAA All-Super Region 4 First Team. He led NCAA Division II in Kick Return Touchdowns (three) and averaged 27.6 yards per kick return. As a wide receiver, he caught 23 passes for 633 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the NCAA Division II in Yards per Reception (27.52).
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
TB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
PK
/ FootballColorado Football Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, November 04
Colorado Football Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, November 02
Colorado Football Weekly Press Conference
Friday, October 31
Colorado Football Coaches Show | Presented by Aflac | 10.30.25
Friday, October 31