Brown, Marzotto, Quiroz Receive Top Butler Football Awards

Dec. 18, 2006

MVP: Juniors T. J. Brown and Mike Marzotto and sophomore Jordan Quiroz all walked off with Most Valuable Player awards at the end of Butler's football season. Brown, who emerged as the Bulldogs' top quarterback, was named Offensive MVP, while Marzotto, a linebacker, was tabbed Defensive MVP. Quiroz, a placekicker, was selected as Special Teams MVP.

Brown took over as Butler's starting quarterback in the second game of the season and wound up passing for 1,572 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became just the 11th quarterback in Butler football history to pass for more than 1,500 yards in a season and the first since 2001. The Butler signal caller ranked seventh in the Pioneer Football League in passing average (157.2 ypg), passing efficiency (99.1) and total offense (148.4 ypg).

Marzotto led the Bulldogs in tackles for the second consecutive season, finishing with 45 solo tackles and 46 assists. He wound up third in the PFL in total tackles (8.3 pg), tied for seventh in quarterback sacks (4.0/0.36 pg) and eighth in tackles for loss (9.5/0.86 pg). Marzotto will enter his final season at Butler next fall with 200 career tackles.

Quiroz led the Bulldogs in scoring in 2006 with 44 points. He connected on his final 16 extra point kick attempts and finished the season hitting 17 of 18 PAT kicks. He also converted nine of 13 field goal attempts, including a career-long 45-yard kick in Butler's homecoming victory over Valparaiso. Quiroz wound up second in the PFL in field goals (0.90 pg), third in both PAT kicking percentage (96.4) and field goal percentage (69.2) and fourth in kick scoring (4.4).

TEAM HONORS: Butler's football coaches presented several specialty awards to members of the team at their annual season wrap-up. Sophomore linebacker Mike Bennett was given the team's Bulldog Pride Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies "The Butler Way." Junior defensive end Chris Marzotto earned the Battle of the Trenches Award recognizing the Lineman of the Year, while senior punter Phil Buchanan received the One Play Warrior award, presented to the special teams point leader based on weekly grades. Junior quarterback T. J. Brown was named Butler's Most Improved Player, while freshman defensive back Spencer Summmerville was named Newcomer of the Year. Unsung Hero awards for scout team participation were given to sophomore Chris Huntley (Offense), freshman Nick Comotto (Defense) and freshman Derek Bradford (Special Teams).

BULLDOG BITS: Junior defensive end Chris Marzotto earned first team All-Pioneer Football League recognition for the second consecutive season, while junior linebacker Mike Marzotto was picked second team All-PFL. Junior wide receiver Nate Miller, sophomore placekicker Jordan Quiroz and senior punter Phil Buchanan each earned honorable mention on the all-league team...Butler finished third in the PFL and tied for 16th in the NCAA I-AA in turnover margin (+7/0.64 pg). The Bulldogs tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries with 12...Junior Nate Miller finished second in the PFL in receptions (5.78 pg) and sixth in the league in receiving yards (61.2 pg). He led the Bulldogs with five touchdown catches. .