TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State Football capped the 2016 season with its annual banquet Saturday afternoon at the JW Marriot Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley.
The signature event, recharged under Head Coach Todd Graham's tenure, has become a fan favorite as Sun Devil supporters celebrated the 2016 season, the senior class, and the rich tradition of Sun Devil Football.
Head coach Todd Graham and the Sun Devil football staff recognized the achievements of the ASU football program during the 2016 season.
Junior running back Kalen Ballage collected both the team offensive MVP and outstanding running back awards for the 2016 season. Ballage was one of the best backs not only in the Pac-12, but in the nation. The Peyton, Colo., native rushed for 536 yards on the season culminating in 14 rushing touchdowns. His season was highlighted by a 137 yard, seven touchdown effort against Texas Tech. Ballage's eight total touchdowns against Texas Tech tied the NCAA Single game touchdown record set by Illinois' Howard Griffith in 1990. His 14 rushing touchdowns this season tied for 21st nationally, while his 15 total touchdowns tied for 26th nationally this season.
Junior Koron Crump earned defensive MVP and Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors, following a 2016 campaign in which he appeared in all 12 games for the Sun Devils. The Junior College transfer led the Sun Devils with nine sacks in 2016 leading to 10 tackles for loss effort that resulted in negative 70 yards of total offense by opponents. Crump recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the Sun Devils' game at Oregon, and played a major role in leading a defense that held four opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in 2016.
2016 Lou Groza Award winner, and consensus All-American, Zane Gonzalez earned Special Teams MVP honors. Gonzalez, a Deer Park, Texas, native, joined Thomas Weber as the second Sun Devil to earn the coveted Lou Groza Award, making ASU one of only four schools with multiple winners.
Gonzalez made an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards and was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, includes the longest FG of the year, a 59 yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Ami Latu joined Crump as a recipient of the Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman award. Latu anchored the Sun Devils' defensive front in 2016 accounting for 26 total tackles that included seven tackles for loss. Latu, the senior from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., finished his ASU career with 62 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss. He appeared in 45 total games for the Sun Devils including 20 career appearances as a starter.
Senior Salamo Fiso claimed the 2016 Outstanding Linebacker Award. Fiso played in seven games for the Sun Devils in 2016, pulling his total career games played to 48. Fiso recorded 26 solo tackles in 2016 to finish his ASU career with 204 total unassisted tackles, a mark that ranks fourth in ASU football history.
Evan Goodman, a senior interior lineman, claimed Outstanding Offensive Lineman honors for 2016. Goodman entered the season as the only returning starter from the 2015 season, and capped his four-year playing career with 12 appearances in 2016. Goodman ended his career with the third longest active start streak with 13 consecutive games started. He was crucial in allowing the offense to become the nation's No. 39 scoring offense in 2016.
Freshman N'Keal Harry claimed both Outstanding Wide Receiver and Outstanding Freshman accolades for the season. Harry became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ASU. Harry broke Zach Miller's freshman record of receptions by a freshman, finishing the season with 58. He already holds the school freshman receiving yardage record with 659 yards.
Ryan Newsome and Frank Darby earned Co-Defensive Scout Team MVP honors, while Jordan Hoyt earned Offensive Scout Team MVP avvolades. Hoyt, a product of Chandler, Ariz., is a transfer from UC Davis. He played in 10 games during his time with the Aggies, and will look to bolster an already talented ASU defensive line in 2017. Newsome, a transfer from Texas, will look to add depth at the wide receiver position in 2017, while Darby was a member of a very talented freshman class who redshirted during the 2016 season.
Senior Liau Moekiola earned the Tim Landers Iron Man Award, an internal award given to a player who displayed an exemplary work ethic in the weight room, on the field and in the community. Moekiola, who also earned Outstanding Secondary honors, made the move from linebacker to safety in the 2016 season and served as a co-captain. Moekiola finished his 2016 campaign with 55 total tackles while adding nine pass breakups and one interception that all but sealed a Sun Devil victory in San Antonio over UTSA. He also received All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades, marking his second all-conference honor after receiving post season honors following the 2014 season.
Running back Nick Ralston claimed the prestigious Pat Tillman Outstanding Academic Achievement Award to round out the 2016 honors. Ralston was one of just two players in the Pac-12 to record a 4.0 grade-point average leading to his All-Pac-12 First Team academic honor, a feat made more impressive given that he is enrolled in the Barrett Honors College at ASU. Ralston originally joined the Sun Devil football team as a linebacker, but has made a name for himself as a hard-nosed runner, perfectly complementing ASU's potent rushing offense.
The awards banquet also served as a chance to thank this year's senior class for the lasting legacy they have left as Sun Devils. This year's graduating class represents the first full class recruited by the Todd Graham staff and has accounted for 39 wins - the most for a five-year span since winning 41 from 1978-82. Over the past four seasons ASU has been one of the least penalized teams in the nation. The Sun Devils averaged just 4.5 penalties for 32.4 yards per game in 2014, ranked 16th in fewest penalties per game and fourth in fewest penalty yards per game in D-I. In 2013, the Sun Devils finished eighth in fewest penalties per game (4.00) and seventh in fewest penalty yards per game (31.4).
Since this senior class arrived on campus, ASU has received 45-All-Pac-12 Conference recognitions, and 39 All-Conference academic honors, solidifying a culture of winning on and off the field.
2016 Football Banquet Award Recipients;
Offensive MVP
Kallen Ballage
Defensive MVP
Koron Crump
Special Teams MVP
Zane Gonzales
Outstanding Freshmen Player
N'Keal Harry
Outstanding Receiver
N'Keal Harry
Outstanding Offensive Lineman
Evan Goodman
Outstanding Secondary
Liau Moekiola
Outstanding Linebacker
Salamo Fiso
Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman
Koron Crump
Ami Latu(Vilami)
Co-Defensive Scout Team MVP
Ryan Newsome
Frank Darby
Offensive Scout Team MVP
Jordan Hoyt
Tim Landers Iron Man Award
Liau Moekiola
Pat Tillman Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
Nick Ralston
The signature event, recharged under Head Coach Todd Graham's tenure, has become a fan favorite as Sun Devil supporters celebrated the 2016 season, the senior class, and the rich tradition of Sun Devil Football.
Head coach Todd Graham and the Sun Devil football staff recognized the achievements of the ASU football program during the 2016 season.
Junior running back Kalen Ballage collected both the team offensive MVP and outstanding running back awards for the 2016 season. Ballage was one of the best backs not only in the Pac-12, but in the nation. The Peyton, Colo., native rushed for 536 yards on the season culminating in 14 rushing touchdowns. His season was highlighted by a 137 yard, seven touchdown effort against Texas Tech. Ballage's eight total touchdowns against Texas Tech tied the NCAA Single game touchdown record set by Illinois' Howard Griffith in 1990. His 14 rushing touchdowns this season tied for 21st nationally, while his 15 total touchdowns tied for 26th nationally this season.
Junior Koron Crump earned defensive MVP and Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors, following a 2016 campaign in which he appeared in all 12 games for the Sun Devils. The Junior College transfer led the Sun Devils with nine sacks in 2016 leading to 10 tackles for loss effort that resulted in negative 70 yards of total offense by opponents. Crump recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the Sun Devils' game at Oregon, and played a major role in leading a defense that held four opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in 2016.
2016 Lou Groza Award winner, and consensus All-American, Zane Gonzalez earned Special Teams MVP honors. Gonzalez, a Deer Park, Texas, native, joined Thomas Weber as the second Sun Devil to earn the coveted Lou Groza Award, making ASU one of only four schools with multiple winners.
Gonzalez made an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards and was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, includes the longest FG of the year, a 59 yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Ami Latu joined Crump as a recipient of the Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman award. Latu anchored the Sun Devils' defensive front in 2016 accounting for 26 total tackles that included seven tackles for loss. Latu, the senior from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., finished his ASU career with 62 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss. He appeared in 45 total games for the Sun Devils including 20 career appearances as a starter.
Senior Salamo Fiso claimed the 2016 Outstanding Linebacker Award. Fiso played in seven games for the Sun Devils in 2016, pulling his total career games played to 48. Fiso recorded 26 solo tackles in 2016 to finish his ASU career with 204 total unassisted tackles, a mark that ranks fourth in ASU football history.
Evan Goodman, a senior interior lineman, claimed Outstanding Offensive Lineman honors for 2016. Goodman entered the season as the only returning starter from the 2015 season, and capped his four-year playing career with 12 appearances in 2016. Goodman ended his career with the third longest active start streak with 13 consecutive games started. He was crucial in allowing the offense to become the nation's No. 39 scoring offense in 2016.
Freshman N'Keal Harry claimed both Outstanding Wide Receiver and Outstanding Freshman accolades for the season. Harry became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ASU. Harry broke Zach Miller's freshman record of receptions by a freshman, finishing the season with 58. He already holds the school freshman receiving yardage record with 659 yards.
Ryan Newsome and Frank Darby earned Co-Defensive Scout Team MVP honors, while Jordan Hoyt earned Offensive Scout Team MVP avvolades. Hoyt, a product of Chandler, Ariz., is a transfer from UC Davis. He played in 10 games during his time with the Aggies, and will look to bolster an already talented ASU defensive line in 2017. Newsome, a transfer from Texas, will look to add depth at the wide receiver position in 2017, while Darby was a member of a very talented freshman class who redshirted during the 2016 season.
Senior Liau Moekiola earned the Tim Landers Iron Man Award, an internal award given to a player who displayed an exemplary work ethic in the weight room, on the field and in the community. Moekiola, who also earned Outstanding Secondary honors, made the move from linebacker to safety in the 2016 season and served as a co-captain. Moekiola finished his 2016 campaign with 55 total tackles while adding nine pass breakups and one interception that all but sealed a Sun Devil victory in San Antonio over UTSA. He also received All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades, marking his second all-conference honor after receiving post season honors following the 2014 season.
Running back Nick Ralston claimed the prestigious Pat Tillman Outstanding Academic Achievement Award to round out the 2016 honors. Ralston was one of just two players in the Pac-12 to record a 4.0 grade-point average leading to his All-Pac-12 First Team academic honor, a feat made more impressive given that he is enrolled in the Barrett Honors College at ASU. Ralston originally joined the Sun Devil football team as a linebacker, but has made a name for himself as a hard-nosed runner, perfectly complementing ASU's potent rushing offense.
The awards banquet also served as a chance to thank this year's senior class for the lasting legacy they have left as Sun Devils. This year's graduating class represents the first full class recruited by the Todd Graham staff and has accounted for 39 wins - the most for a five-year span since winning 41 from 1978-82. Over the past four seasons ASU has been one of the least penalized teams in the nation. The Sun Devils averaged just 4.5 penalties for 32.4 yards per game in 2014, ranked 16th in fewest penalties per game and fourth in fewest penalty yards per game in D-I. In 2013, the Sun Devils finished eighth in fewest penalties per game (4.00) and seventh in fewest penalty yards per game (31.4).
Since this senior class arrived on campus, ASU has received 45-All-Pac-12 Conference recognitions, and 39 All-Conference academic honors, solidifying a culture of winning on and off the field.
2016 Football Banquet Award Recipients;
Offensive MVP
Kallen Ballage
Defensive MVP
Koron Crump
Special Teams MVP
Zane Gonzales
Outstanding Freshmen Player
N'Keal Harry
Outstanding Receiver
N'Keal Harry
Outstanding Offensive Lineman
Evan Goodman
Outstanding Secondary
Liau Moekiola
Outstanding Linebacker
Salamo Fiso
Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman
Koron Crump
Ami Latu(Vilami)
Co-Defensive Scout Team MVP
Ryan Newsome
Frank Darby
Offensive Scout Team MVP
Jordan Hoyt
Tim Landers Iron Man Award
Liau Moekiola
Pat Tillman Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
Nick Ralston