Football Announces 2004 Award Winners

Woods, King, Zeppuhar, Gibson and Sanders honored

Ben Woods

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team handed out its season-ending awards at the annual UB Athletic Awards Banquet at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga.

Receiving awards from head coach Jim Hofher and his staff were Ben Woods (Hermitage, PA/Hickory), Steven King (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale), Erik Zeppuhar (Allison Park, PA/Shaler), J.J. Gibson (Buffalo, NY/Sweet Home) and Aaron Sanders (Clarence, NY/St. Joseph's).

Woods earned the Newcomer of the Year Award. The freshman punter was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference this season. Woods nearly broke the single-season school record (41.4) by averaging 41.2 yards per punt. In addition, he dropped 12 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line and his 68-yard punt at Akron was the longest punt in the MAC this season. For his efforts, Woods was named by The Sporting News on the third-team Freshman All-American team.

Steven King

King received the Most Improved Player Award. The junior running back led the Bulls in rushing with 445 yards. His seven touchdowns were also tops on the team. King improved nicely on his sophomore campaign when he rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulls' 48-20 win over Central Florida on Oct. 2 and followed that with a 120-yard and one-touchdown outburst against Akron the very next week.

Erik Zeppuhar

Zeppuhar earned the Coaches' Award. An offensive lineman and senior captain, Zeppuhar helped the Bulls score the most points (197) in their Division I-A history in 2004. Zeppuhar was a four-year starter who racked up 44 career starts and helped the Bulls set several offensive statistical marks during his career. He was named to the Academic All-MAC team and was a SUNY Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award recipient this season.

J.J. Gibson

Gibson was named the team's Most Outstanding Player. The senior defensive back was the Bulls' top defensive player in 2004. With 113 tackles on the season, Gibson led the Bulls and ranked third in the MAC. Gibson added two interceptions and three fumble recoveries on the season. He returned one of his fumble recoveries for a 57-yard touchdown in the Bulls' home opener against Syracuse. Gibson had 59 solo tackles on the season - eighth-best in single season history. His 220 career solo tackles rank him second in school history.

Aaron Sanders

Sanders earned the Dominic Grossi award. The award is presented to the UB Football Player who has displayed athletic prowess, academic excellence and sportsmanship. Sanders had 47 tackles on the season and led the Bulls in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (12). The junior defensive end also forced a fumble and tied for the team lead with three fumble recoveries. Sanders was named the MAC East Division Player of the Week following the season-opener against Eastern Michigan. He earned the honor after recording a career-best seven tackles (four solos), two sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

UB finished its season with a 2-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in the MAC. The two conference victories (by an average of 29 points) were the most by the Bulls since they joined the MAC in 1999.

05/05/05