Huskers Announce 2004 Spring Awards

Lincoln -- Five Husker football players have been honored by the Nebraska coaching staff and their teammates as winners of 2004 spring awards. The awards include the Nebraska Lifter of the Year and four new awards established by Coach Bill Callahan, including most improved players on offense, defense and special teams and the Finisher Award.

Sophomore defensive end Adam Carriker was named the winner of the 2004 Nebraska Lifter of the Year. The Lifter of the Year is presented to the player who made the most improvement on the field as a result of hard work and dedication in Nebraska’s strength and conditioning program.

The 6-6, 270-pound Carriker was listed No. 1 on the depth chart at right defensive end entering spring practice. He capped his spring by standing out in the spring game, when he made four tackles, including two sacks for 11 yards. Carriker is the seventh defensive end in the past nine seasons to win Lifter-of-the-Year honors.

Head Strength Coach Dave Kennedy said Carriker’s outstanding play on the field this spring was noticed by everyone involved with the program.

"This is a very special award because it typifies what we are trying to do which is improve performance on the field, and it was voted on by his teammates," Kennedy said. "Adam has stood out in all drills, whether it has been in the strength training facility, burst work, or conditioning. The athletes themselves take note of such effort and have rewarded him with this honor that has such history."

The Finisher Award is chosen by members of the coaching staff and was presented to Husker junior center Richie Incognito. The Finisher Award is given to the player who "exemplifies the best effort, work ethic and displays the ability to finish every play." Callahan said Incognito was a natural choice for the honor.

"Richie is a guy that plays with maximum effort from snap to whistle," Callahan said. "He plays every down with great effort and intensity."

The 6-3, 290-pound Incognito successfully made the transition from left tackle to center this spring and anchored the Husker offensive front. Incognito was been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, and should be a strong contender for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.

The most improved players in all three areas of the game were chosen by a vote of the team. Offensive tackle Seppo Evwaraye was picked as the Most Improved Offensive Player. A 6-5, 300-pound junior, Evwaraye played on the defensive line his first three seasons at Nebraska. He moved to offense this spring and was playing on the top unit by the conclusion of spring practice.

The Most Improved Defensive Player was given to sophomore defensive end Jay Moore. The 6-4, 260-pound Moore has battled injuries during his first two seasons as a Husker, but this spring made a push for the starting job at left end opposite Carriker. Moore and senior Benard Thomas split time at the left end throughout the spring.

The final honoree was sophomore defensive back Brandon Rigoni, who was named the Most Improved Special Teams Player. A Lincoln Southeast graduate, Rigoni served as one of three captains for the White team in last Saturday’s spring game. Rigoni is a candidate to play on several Husker special teams, including as a gunner in punt coverage.