Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Sports

The ISU football season - and the era of head coach Denver Johnson - effectively came to an end last Saturday, Nov. 21, in an overtime loss to SIU.

I've spent the last three months covering the team in-depth and during the last two games, I took a look back at the season as a whole and decided to come up with my own accolades.



Most Valuable Player: Walter Mendenhall

The senior transfer running back was thrust into the starting role after Geno Blow was injured and Parrish Fisher was dismissed from the team.

All he did was lead the Redbirds with 796 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns and an astonishing 6.3 yards per carry despite starting only four games. His season-long performance was courageous and inspiring to watch.



Most Disappointing Player: The whole defense

In a year when the rushing offense was a sight to see (averaging 197.2 yards per game and 24 rushing touchdowns), the defense could not keep the other team's offensive attack at bay.

While some players had good individual performances (namely Kelvyn Hemphill and Tom Nelson), the defense as a whole gave up an average of 30.9 points per game and 382.3 yards per game. The ISU defense also had the worst three-game stretch in school history, giving up 40 or more points in all three games for the first time in the school's 113 years.



Best Display of Leadership: Tom Nelson and Jason Tate

Tate was knocked unconscious and had to be carted off the field during the 'Birds' home game against North Dakota State, but returned the following week with two interceptions.

Tate struggled with other injuries throughout the year, but could always be seen on the sidelines trying to pump up his teammates, whether he was in pads or not.

Nelson started every game for the fourth straight year at safety and returned kicks and punts, inspiring his teammates with his on-field play as well as his natural leadership abilities, being dubbed the "quarterback of the defense" by his coaches.



Best Display of Professionalism: Denver Johnson

"Coach J," as he was called by his players, resigned after the season finale, but never let up throughout a season filled with injuries, bad luck and bad calls. Johnson maintained his professionalism from the first kickoff of the season at Marshall until the final play of the game against SIU.



Best Story: Walter Mendenhall

Walter, the older brother of NFL running back Rashard Mendenhall, spent four years at the University of Illinois, totaling just six carries. He started the year third on the depth chart at running back for the Redbirds, but ended up becoming the Redbirds' most valuable player and biggest offensive weapon. His story of perseverance and diligence made it impossible not to root for him.

Continued...

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