MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State football program will continue to honor the past by naming its weekly awards after former standout players. Six of the eight accolades bear the name of MSU alums.
"It is vital for us to acknowledge the contributions of our alumni," Head Coach Rob Tenyer said. "Continuing this tradition and naming awards after our Eagle greats is just one small token of our appreciation for everything these men have done." The Morehead State coaches hand out weekly accolades throughout the season to the Offensive Most Valuable Player (Chris Swartz), Defensive MVP (Larry Baldridge), Special Forces MVP (Greg Burke) Big Stick/Big Sack (Richard Shadwick), Big Block (Grant Jennings) and Game Breaker (Mark Ledford). The Eagle staff members also bestow accolades to the Offensive and Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week. Swartz, a four-year standout quarterback from 1987-90, is a member of the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002). He finished his career as the school and Ohio Valley Conference leader in passing yards (9,028) and completions (774). He now ranks second in both categories at MSU and third in the OVC.
Swartz also ranks second at MSU in career touchdowns (55) and passing attempts (1,407) and still holds the single-game record for passing yards (459 vs. Austin Peay in 1988) and touchdowns (7 vs. Murray State in 1990). He holds the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) freshman record for most passes attempted in a game (66 vs. Tennessee Tech in 1987). Following his collegiate career, Swartz played one season with the Arizona Cardinals.
Baldridge, who was named All-Ohio Valley Conference in 1970, held the MSU single-season record for interceptions (7) from 1970 until 2007. His school single-game interception record (3 vs. Murray State in 1970) still stands today. His brother, Bill, was an all-conference player at MSU and served as head football coach from 1984-89.
Burke was a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference punter (1986 and 1987) and still holds the MSU single-season record for punting average (44.1 in 1986). He led the team in punting all four seasons (1984-87) and averaged better than 40 yards per boot his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. Following the 1986 season, he was named an Associated Press Division I-AA Honorable Mention All-American.
Shadwick, a two-time all-Ohio Valley defensive tackle (1990 and 1992), finished his career with 45 tackles for loss for 178 yards. He also compiled 18 sacks for 114 yards. He led the OVC in tackles for loss with 19 in 1990 and also paced the team with seven sacks and three fumbles forced.
Jennings was a three-time First-Team All-Pioneer Football League (2005, 2006 and 2007) selection at offensive left tackle. Following his sophomore campaign in 2005, he was tabbed to the Football Gazette's Division I-AA All-America Team. Jennings, who helped Morehead State to PFL South Division titles in 2004 and 2005, was part of 23 wins during his career.
A two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection (1982 and 1983), Ledford held the MSU single-season receiving yards record (948 in 1983) until 2012. The wide receiver compiled 1,965 receiving yards in just three seasons (1981-82-83). He also set the single-season receptions record (74 in 1983), which stood until 2012. He was inducted in the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
Morehead State opens the 2015 season on Sept. 5 at James Madison and follows up with a Sept. 12 game at Virginia Military Institute. The home opener is set for Sept. 19 versus Kentucky Christian.
