University of Massachusets Athletics
Miles, Nelson Up For FCS' Top Awards
July 22, 2009 | Football
July 22, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - A pair of UMass football seniors are preseason candidates for the biggest awards in FCS football. Safety Jeromy Miles has been named to the Buck Buchanan Award List as the top defensive player. Tailback is on the list for the Walter Payton Award, the offense's top honor.
Miles joins UMass' recent defensive candidates Jason Hatchell and Shannon James over the last five years. On the offensive side, Liam Coen and Steve Baylark were top candidates in recent years.
Jeromy Miles, Massachusetts, Senior, 6-2, 207, Strong Safety
Miles established himself as one of the premier safeties in FCS during 2008, posting 104 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during the campaign. Miles was rewarded by being named to the Sports Network All-America second team and was a first-team All- CAA selection. Top performances for the Sicklerville, NJ native included the one posted in a 17-7 win over Delaware, when he returned an interception for a touchdown. As a junior, Miles racked up 68 tackles with three interceptions, eight pass breakups and four forced fumbles to garner a spot on the All-CAA third-team. Miles started his college career at Navy in 2006 and tallied 61 tackles with two interceptions en route to earning first-team All-East honors as well as being named the ECAC freshman of the year.
Tony Nelson, Massachusetts, Senior, 5-10, 210, Running Back
Nelson exploded for 1,325 yards (third in CAA) and 12 TDs in 2008, topping the 100-yard mark six times and averaging 5.5 yards per carry in his first year as the starting running back. For his efforts, he earned first-team all-CAA honors. Nelson's top outing came in a 28-14 win over Hofstra in the season finale, when he scampered for a career-high 204 yards. Nelson rushed for a total of 721 yards and four TDs in his first two seasons at UMass, when he backed Payton Award candidate Steve Baylark. The Germantown, MD native was a key reserve for Minutemen teams that reached the national title game in 2006 and the quarterfinals in 2007. In his first three seasons at UMass, Nelson has 2,046 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
