The First Annual X-Factor Awards

So now that we’re just past the midpoint of the Ivy League football season, it is about time that I unveil the first installment of what I plan to make a fixture: The X-Factor Awards.

The criterion to receive one of these illustrious distinctions is that the recipient must play Ivy League football and catch my attention. The nominees and recipients of each award have been selectively chosen by a triumvirate of judges comprised of me, myself, and I. So without further ado, the first-ever X-Factor Awards will begin.

The X-Factor Award
This award has no requirements. Rather, I looked around the league and picked the player that I flat-out liked the most. In high school, I played cornerback, so I have always held a special place in my heart for defensive backs. I mean, let’s face it— they’re the best athletes on the field because they have to cover wide receivers, who are arguably the best athletes on offense. Harvard’s senior cornerback Steven Williams has distinguished himself as one of the best—if not the best—cover corner in the Ivy League and the Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) by grabbing six interceptions and defending 16 passes, both tops in the nation. This week, Williams earned Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honors, and also took home the first-ever X-Factor Award.

The “Chicks Dig the Long Ball” Award
Yeah, the name of this award comes from a baseball commercial, but in this case, it’s being given to the top quarterback in the Ivy League. The two quarterbacks I considered for the award have both put up high passing numbers by necessity, as neither of their offenses has established a running game. Brown junior Michael Daugherty and Columbia’s own Craig Hormann have both had huge outputs thus far this season, but the edge goes to Daugherty, who, honestly, has made fewer mistakes and been more consistent. Daugherty has thrown for 2,045 yards and 14 touchdowns, and has thrown only six interceptions in 288 throwing attempts. He also brings a dimension that Hormann does not, as he can run the ball, has rushed for positive yards this season, and handily leads the Ancient Eight in total offense. With an average of 340.8 passing yards per game, it would be impossible not to give the “Chicks Dig the Long Ball” Award to Daugherty.

The Freddie Mitchell “I’d Like to Thank My Hands for Being So Great” Award
Freddie Mitchell had his moment in the sun in the 2004 NFC playoffs, but this award is going to a wide receiver in the Ivy League that has a promising career ahead. This award was a tough choice because there were three players in contention. However, two of them play for Brown—Paul Raymond and Buddy Farnham—and thus each complements the other, making it easier for them to get open. Columbia’s Austin Knowlin, however, is the de facto star of the Lions, and despite the fact that every other team knows it, he still manages to carry the Light Blue offense every week. For the season, Knowlin is second in the league with 645 receiving yards on 41 receptions. He also has the most touchdowns of any receiver, six of them receiving and the other on a reverse against Dartmouth. Maybe Freddie Mitchell should send his oven mitts to Knowlin, since his hands no longer need protecting.

The Noob Award
Noob, newbie, noobster ... whatever you want to call it, a newcomer is a newcomer. Every year, talented freshmen come into the Ivy League and have their chance to make a mark on the Ancient Eight. This year, Columbia has relied on many freshmen, giving it one of the best crops of new players in the league. Offensively, wide receiver Nico Gutierrez is coming into his own, but despite his big-play capability, he is not the brightest new star on the Lions’ squad. Linebacker Matt Moretto has been the most consistent player for the Light Blue on defense. So far, he has racked up a team-leading 40 tackles, seven more than the next closest freshman, teammate Alex Gross, and good enough to put him in a tie for ninth in tackles in the Ivy League. Thus far, the Noob of the Year Award goes to Moretto, but watch out for Gutierrez and Gross to put some solid numbers as well in the future.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the biggest award of the night. It will go to the player who is my pick for the Bushnell Award, better known as the Ivy League MVP.

The Pacman Jones “Making It Rain” Award
This was a no-brainer. Straight out of Hard Hittin’ New Britain, Yale’s Mike McLeod has been nothing short of ridiculous thus far this season. I’ll let the stats speak for themselves here: six games, 204 rushing attempts, 1,142 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 190.3 yards per game, and the big one, 18 touchdowns. That’s right, 18 touchdowns. That’s three per game, folks. This season, he has set the Yale record for rushing yards and subsequently broken it again by rushing for 276 yards against Lehigh in week five. McLeod’s “worst” output this season was against Dartmouth, when he rushed for 155 yards and only one touchdown. Mike McLeod, you are ridiculous, you make me proud to have gone to middle school in New Britain, and last but not least, in the words of a popular song, you “make it rain”—hence, you take home your first of what could be many X-Factor Awards.

That’s all, folks. Keep an eye out for the second edition during basketball season.