Quarterback Summers honored as Penguins’ MVP

Brad Samsa and Crispin Fernandez earned YSU awards.

YOUNGSTOWN — Junior quarterback Brandon Summers was named the John Delserone Most Valuable Player at the annual Youngstown State football awards banquet Saturday at Kilcawley Center.

Brad Samsa and Crispin Fernandez also won top awards. Samsa was selected as the team’s top offensive player while Fernandez was named the top defensive player.

Summers was an honorable-mention all-conference pick and earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s newcomer of the year award.

Summers set school records for passing percentage and passing efficiency in a season. He also became the second quarterback in school history to throw 18 touchdown passes in the regular season, tying the mark held by Ron Jaworski.

Samsa, a first-team all-conference selection, started the first nine games at center then moved to right guard for the last three weeks.

Fernandez, a second-team all-conference pick, also was named the Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the Year. Fernandez was the only player on defense to start all 12 games. He started both at the tackle spot and as a defensive end during, finishing with 42 tackles, leading the team in tackles for losses (6.5) and sacks.

Senior De’Angelo Wilson was named the Paul McFadden/Jeff Wilkins Specialist of the Year. He returned 18 punts for 216 yards, an average of 12 per return.

Senior Derrick Bush was honored as the Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Year. Bush caught 16 passes for 208 yards and scored a career-best two touchdowns.

Senior Ben Lane was the recipient of the Dr. Neal R. Frost Outreach Man of the Year honor. In the final two games, he rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries and caught five passes for 41 yards.

Senior Mychal Savage was named the Ron Stoops Most Inspirational Player. Savage, a preseason all-conference and All-America pick, suffered a season-ending injury in the opener against Ohio State.

Senior Tom Krupko was the presented the Dr. Spurgeon Tourchbearer Award and was named the Four Square Club’s Academic Player of the Year.

Junior Jabari Scott and senior Bobby Lykes-Knight were awarded the Four Square Club Players of the Game for their performances in the contest against Central State.

Summers and sophomore Dominique Barnes were presented with the YSU Football Alumni’s Difference Maker in the homecoming game against Northern Iowa.