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Rice University Athletics
Clement Named Owls MVP
1/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 18, 2008
Chase Clement, who broke a total of 18 school records during the season, was named the winner of the George Martin Award as the Most Valuable Player for the Rice Owl football team during the team's annual awards banquet on Friday night. The event was held at the Rice Memorial Center.
Clement closed out his season by averaging 433.7 yards per game in total offense over the last seven C-USA games, and posted four of the top seven total offensive totals in school history over that stretch. He became the first player in NCAA history to record consecutive games with over 100 yards rushing and 300 yards passing when he topped those marks in back-to-back wins over UTEP and SMU.
He closed out his remarkable run of games by smashing three C-USA records in the season finale against Tulsa. He compiled 601 yards of total offense, including 541 yards passing while hitting on 40 of with 66 attempts. He set conference marks for total offense, pass attempts and total offensive plays (83). He also set a conference mark in the Owls 56-48 win over UTEP, compiling eight total touchdowns, including a school-record six touchdown passes.
Clement's favorite target for most of his scoring strikes, Jarett Dillard, was honored for being a consensus All C-USA selection, and was also honored as the Owls top receiver. Dillard will enter the 2008 season as the NCAA's active career leader in receptions (205), receiving yards (2,828) and touchdowns (40).
Clement and Dillard joined Brian Raines and Andrew Sendejo in being elected captains of the 2007 team.
Senior running back Bio Bilayae-Benibo was named the winner of the James W. Glanville Award, presented annually to the Owl who has achieved excellence in athletics, academics and integrity. James Casey was named the winner of the Joe F. Lipscomb Award as the top freshman. Marcus Knox was presented the Billy Ed Daniels Award, which honors the player who exhibits the qualities most desired in a teammate. Sendejo was presented the "Bloody Joe" Davis Award as the player who rises above pain and injury to be the best player possible. Sophomores Willie Garley and John Thomas Shepherd were presented the Joe Davis and Bill Whitmore Awards as the most improved defensive and offensive players from last spring.
Clement, Dillard and senior Robbie Heos were awarded the George R. Brown Offensive Awards as the top offensive position players, while Raines, Sendejo and George Chukwu were presented the Jess Neely Defensive Awards as the top defensive positions players.
