Morgan Morgan Becomes First Virginia Dudley Award Winner

December 7, 2006

Morgan receives the 2006 Dudley Award from its namesake "Bullet" Bill Dudley

Richmond, VA – Another award was bestowed upon The University of Virginia’s College at Wise running back Ra’Shad Morgan last night. Morgan became the first Highland Cavalier to win the Dudley Award for Virginia’s top collegiate player in the Division II/III/NAIA category.

The junior from Chesterfield, VA received nine first-place votes and 55 points in the ballots of sports writers from across Virginia. He was bettered Washington & Lee defensive back Mark Snoddy and Averett linebacker Jermaine Moore who were second and third. Linebacker Vince Hall of Virginia Tech won the Division I/I-AA category.

The Dudley Award, named for former U.Va. great "Bullet" Bill Dudley, has been presented annually since 1990. The award honoring a Division II/III/NAIA player was added in 2004.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch sponsors the awards, which were handed out last night at a banquet at the Sheraton West.

The 5-10, 208-pound running back led UVA-Wise to an 8-3 record, its best in a decade, first winning season in five years and a No. 24 ranking in the final regular-season NAIA poll.

The Meadowbrook High product ran his way to arguably the best season by a UVA-Wise running back to earn Mid-South East Division “Offensive Player of the Year” recognition. The junior also was selected to the All-Mid-South First Team at running back.

Morgan set 11 Highland Cavalier season and single game records while leading the NAIA in three offensive categories. He rushed for 1,657 yards on 306 attempts with 25 touchdowns, all school season records. Morgan led the nation and had a new Cavs’ record of 150.6 rushing yards per contest. He also was tops in the NAIA for all-purpose yards (178.3 yds/gm) and scoring per game (13.6 ppg), both UVA-Wise records. Other Cavs’ season marks set by the running back included 1,961 all-purpose yards, 25 scoring touchdowns and 152 points scored.

Morgan shattered two single game UVA-Wise records with an 83-run last Saturday against Union after having set the record earlier in the year with an 80-yard scoring burst versus Lambuth. He set a single game rushing record of 289 yards on 34 attempts with four scores hosting Cumberland (TN) University. Morgan rounded out his 2006 stats with 35 receptions for 304 yards. He is now second in career rushing yards (2,947 yds.) and third in five other categories in the school books. Morgan produced four games with at least 190 yards on the ground and nine 100-yard contests in 11 games this season while scoring a rushing touchdown in 10 games.

-Go Cavs-