MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State football head coach
Rob Tenyer has continued a trend started several seasons ago by naming the program's weekly awards for past standouts. This fall, the Eagles honor five alums who made significant impacts while they played for the Blue and Gold.
The award namesakes are:
Offensive MVP – Keith Mescher
One of the top pass catchers in program history, Mescher played tight end at Morehead State from 1973-76. He was named First-Team All-OVC three times, one of only a few players in program history to accomplish that honor. He ranked among the top 10 receivers in yardage in the OVC as a junior. Mescher compiled 1,360 yards and 10 career touchdowns.
Defensive MVP – Brandon Phillips
From Hamilton, Ohio, Phillips became one of the toughest defensive backs in program history. In 2001 he earned Second-Team Mid-Major All-American by the Football Gazette. He was a two-time First-Team All-Pioneer League pick (2001, 2002). He picked off five passes in 2001 and repeated that total in 2002 as a senior, ranking him in the top 10 in career interceptions at Morehead State.
Game Breaker – Ralph DelSardo
A Pittsburgh, Pa., product, DelSardo was Morehead State's leading receiver in 2002 and 2003. He hauled in 45 catches for 846 yards (ninth in single-season program history) and five scores in 2003 and had 31 grabs for 645 yards and five TDs in 2002, contributing to 1,698 career receiving yards – eighth in program history. DelSardo is also infamous for hauling in the longest TD catch in program history in 2002, a 97-yard connection from David Caudill. He also holds the record for most yards receiving in a game with 230.
Special Forces – Don Rardin
Rardin, who handled the punting at MSU from 1974-76, owns the record for the longest punt in program history when he boomed a 78-yarder versus Western Kentucky in 1975. Rardin holds two of the top 10 spots for season punting average in program history. He averaged 42.8 yards in 1975 and 1976. He was also named First-Team All-OVC in 1977.
Big Sack/Stick – Dennis Ledford
Ledford, from Wilmington, Ohio, was a mainstay on the Eagles' defensive line during one of the most successful periods in program history (1998-01). He was named First-Team All-PFL South in the Eagles' first year in the league in 2001. In 2001, he was credited with 50 tackles, including 10 in the backfield. As a junior in 2000, he compiled seven tackles for loss.
Big Block – Paul Adams
Adams was a center from 1937-40. He was named to the Little All-America team following his senior season. Adams played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1947-49. He returned to Morehead to serve as an assistant football coach in 1950 and MSU's head coach from 1956-58. A native of Coal Grove, Ohio, Adams also competed for the basketball, baseball and swim teams at MSU. His college work was interrupted by a four-year service in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was wounded twice in the war and received two Purple Hearts.
