FLORENCE, Ala. – Carson-Newman running back Andy Hibbett (Corryton, Tenn.) finished eighth in the voting for the 29th annual Harlon Hill Trophy awarded to the Division II player of the year. The Harlon Hill Committee announced the results Friday afternoon in a ceremony webcast from Florence, Ala.
Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan won the award with 34 first place votes, 20 second place votes and 10 third place votes. He edges out Henderson State quarterback Kevin Rogers 152-143.
"We're really proud of what he accomplished this season and in his career at Carson-Newman," head coach Ken Sparks said. "I'm proud of him as a person, he's got an unbelievable ahead of him and I'm certain he's going to go out and impact a lot of lives. I'm just thrilled he's been recognized as one of the top 10 players in America."
Hibbett was the Daktronics and Beyond Sports Network Super Region II Offensive player of the Year. He became the third Carson-Newman player to make it the final round of the Harlon Hill Trophy voting. Quarterback Leonard Guyton was a finalists in 2002, while Tyrone Westmoreland was the first Harlon Hill finalists for C-N in 1997. Mars Hill running back Jonas Randolph is the only South Atlantic Conference player to win the award – doing so in 2011.
Hibbett is a member of three All-American teams. He's earned first team honors from the Beyond Sports Network and second team accolades from Daktronics and AP Little All-America.
"I said at the start of the year that I would be happy to make the SAC's all-conference second team," Hibbett said. "So to even be considered for this award is just an honor. But I wouldn't be here without my quarterback, my offensive line and my coaches. So any recognition is for them and for God."
Hibbett produced a season for the ages for the Eagles. Hibbett set a school record by rushing for more than 100 yards in eight consecutive games. His 1,394 yards on the season are the eighth highest tally in school history. Hibbett secured his spot in the Eagle record books. With 37 career rushing touchdowns, he moved past Brandon Baker and Antwon Oliver and into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time rushing TD list.
He also winds up with 3,208 career rushing yards. That mark is also the eighth best in school history. Hibbett scored multiple touchdowns in seven games, including a pair of four-touchdown days. He is a two-time SAC offensive Player of the Week, three-time Bojangles Male Athlete of the Week and earned Tennessee Sportswriters Association Offensive Player of the Week honors once. Following the season, he earned first team All-SAC honors.
Hibbett ranked sixth in the nation in rushing yards per game and 10th in scoring. He had 18 TDs in his senior season – 16 on the ground and two through the air.
Hibbett led C-N in rushing in six games and produced four games where he rushed for at least 180 yards. With 30 carries and 221 yards against Tusculum, Hibbett had the 14th-best single game rushing yard tally in school history and its 32nd 200-yard rushing performance.
Throughout the season, Hibbett credited his line.
Against Mars Hill, the senior only had 191 yards and three TDs on seven carries. His 27.3 yards per rush is the second highest total among running backs with more than five carries in a game.
Hibbett's three touchdowns all came in the second half and helped put the game out of reach.
His first score came on a 58-yard dive, his second on a 65-yard scamper and his third on a 55-yard pitch that started to the right and finished with Hibbett meandering his way back left across the field to the pylon for a score.
Hibbett is Carson-Newman's 12th All-American running back. He joins Rodney Wampler (71), Van Williams (81), Hugh Rutledge (82), Kenneth Tyson (84 & 87), Robert Hardy (90), Floyd Mathis (91), Robert Thomas (91), Tyrone Westmoreland (97), Randy Bell (02), Buck Wakefield (09) and Brandon Baker (12).
2014 HILL VOTE TOTALS
TOTAL 1st 2nd 3rd
Points Player Place Place Place
152 Jason Vander Laan JR QB Ferris State 34 20 10
143 Kevin Rodgers SR QB Henderson State 29 21 14
61 Anthony Bilal JR RB Lake Erie 5 16 14
60 Anthony Abenoja SR QB Pittsburg State 8 10 16
40 Sean McCartney SR QB West Chester 5 8 9
35 Steven Laurino SR QB LIU-Post 5 7 6
23 Mark Miller SR QB Ohio Dominican 2 5 7
21 Andy Hibbett SR RB Carson-Newman 2 3 9
17 Tyler Sullivan SO QB Delta State 2 2
