Dec. 2, 2007

DETROIT - The Wayne State University football team held its 2007 banquet on Sunday afternoon at The Detroit Yacht Club. Head coach Paul Winters concluded his fourth season by announcing several individual honors.

Senior linebacker Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) won the 2007 Defensive Most Valuable Player award. He was voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team by the conference coaches after starting all 11 games. Guy led the squad with 58 solo tackles and 95 total tackles. He also recorded 4.5 sacks among his team-leading 14 tackles for loss while garnering two quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups. This was the third consecutive year, Guy was named to an All-GLIAC team.

Sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) was named the Offensive MVP after earning First Team All-Region accolades for the second straight season. The GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year, Bell won the GLIAC scoring title by 58 points (168-110) and was responsible for 29 of WSU's 42 offensive touchdowns. His 1,427 rushing yards was the third-highest mark in school history, while his 1,823 all-purpose yards was the fifth-best mark in WSU history. One of 24 candidates nationally for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Bell tied the GLIAC single-season league points record of 156 set by Grand Valley's David Kircus in 2001.

Junior Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) was named Special Teams MVP after playing in all 11 games. He was named to the All-GLIAC First Team as a return specialist after setting the school record for kickoff return average (27.3) of anyone with at least 11 returns in a season and Dunn had 22 kickoff returns including an 89-yard touchdown versus Findlay. He was fourth on the squad in all-purpose yards which included a blocked punt versus Northwood that resulted in a safety.

Guy was presented the Randy Guzowski Award, which goes to the individual who has demonstrated team leadership and shown exemplary school and community citizenship. Randy Guzowski won three letters as a WSU football player and spent 15 years on the WSU Police Force. Guy became the first WSU football player named to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works team in September which honors players for their dedication and commitment to community service. He was also a two-time team captain.

Senior tight end John Rehberg (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) was honored with the Ron Solack Memorial "35" Award. He was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team for the second straight year and will be a four-time GLIAC All-Academic team selection. Rehberg started 35 times in his four-year career. Solack died of post-surgery complications in 1968 on the eve of the opening of the new WSU Stadium. Ron wore his WSU uniform with umatched pride and played the game with enthusiasm. An award was instituted in his name in 1969.

The WSU Offensive Rookie of the Year award went to redshirt freshman offensive guard Marc Cuddeback (Sterling Hts., Mich./De La Salle). He appeared in 10 games starting three times and helping the Warrior offense set school marks for touchdowns and points in a season.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year award will be shared by redshirt freshman cornerback Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) and sophomore defensive back Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) who played his first season at Grand Rapids Community College. Thornton played in all 11 games starting four times. He had four interceptions and six pass break-ups to tie for the team lead with Cooper with 10 passes defended. Thornton had three picks in the season finale against Ferris State returning one for a touchdown. Cooper played in 10 games starting nine times and finished second among WSU defensive backs with 62 total tackles. He led the team with five interceptions including two in a game twice (vs. Grand Valley and at Indianapolis).

Two awards were created in 2005 by the coaching staff. The Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes the football student-athlete with strong academic credentials, while the Ultimate Warrior is for the football student-athlete who did outstanding work in the weight room.

Redshirt senior tight end Dale Knuth (Canton, Mich./Dearborn Divine Child) earned the Scholar-Athlete Award for the second consecutive season. He has recorded at least a 3.5 term gpa in six of his eight semesters at WSU including one 4.00 term while majoring in physical therapy and psychology. Knuth missed the final seven games of the 2005 campaign with a non-football injury, but through vigorous rehabilitation was able to play in the 2006 home finale against Ashland. This year he appeared in four games and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District nominee.

Sophomore Matt Shango (West Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) received the team's Ultimate Warrior award for outstanding work in the weight room. Shango appeared in all 11 games starting once, while recording a team-leading three forced fumbles. He also had 33 total tackles including six for loss. WSU's 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Shango had 2.5 sacks in 2007 and blocked a kick in the win at St. Joseph's.