Stanton Selected 2007 Michigan College Male Athlete Of The Year
5/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 14, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton, who earned team MVP honors for the second time in his career after accounting for 2,252 total yards and 17 TDs as a senior, has been selected the 2007 Michigan College Male Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Athletic Club. Stanton will be honored along with Michigan College Female Athlete of the Year Becky Weima, a 21-time NCAA III All-America swimmer from Calvin College, at an awards ceremony, scheduled for Monday, May 14 at the DAC.
The Michigan College Athlete of the Year awards are presented to those who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, citizenship and sportsmanship.
The 6-3, 230-pound Stanton was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (No. 43 overall) of the 2007 National Football League Draft. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist completed 61 percent of his throws (164 of 269) for 1,807 yards, 12 TDs and 10 interceptions in 2006. Stanton also rushed 110 times for 445 yards and five scores. The Farmington Hills, Mich., native started 24 consecutive games at quarterback before sitting out the season finale at Penn State (suffered a concussion midway through the first quarter Nov. 11 vs. Minnesota).
He shared Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors (with Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith) after accounting for 331 total yards and three scores in engineering the greatest comeback in NCAA I-A history as Michigan State rallied from a 35-point third-quarter deficit for a 41-38 victory at Northwestern. Stanton recorded his fourth 200-yard passing game of the season against the Wildcats, completing 27-of-37 throws for 294 yards and two TDs. He finished off a seven-play, 60-yard drive with a 12-yard TD run as MSU cut its deficit to 38-31 with 7:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Spartans tied the score at 38 on his 9-yard TD strike to T.J. Williams in the back, right corner of the end zone with 3:43 to play. Stanton completed 18-of-25 passes for 203 yards in the second half.
His other 200-yard passing efforts came against Michigan (252), Eastern Michigan (254) and Idaho (225).
Stanton accounted for 303 total yards and three TDs to lead Michigan State to a 38-23 victory at Pittsburgh. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 198 yards, including scoring strikes of 2 yards to Kellen Davis and 12 yards to Kerry Reed. Stanton also recorded his third career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 105 yards on 13 carries against the Panthers including a 1-yard TD run.
A three-year starter, Stanton ranks among MSU's career leaders in completion percentage (first at .642), pass completions (second at 543), pass attempts (second at 846), passing yards (second at 6,524), total offense (second at 8,036 yards), 200-yard passing games (second at 18), passing efficiency rating (third at 138.7) and TD passes (fifth at 42). He also is listed among the Big Ten's career leaders in completion percentage (third).
A four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Stanton earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology in May 2006. Last fall, he began working on a master's degree in kinesiology.
In 2006, Stanton was presented the MSU Football Players Association's Community Service & Outreach Award. In addition, he was selected as MSU's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Stanton started the "Special Teams" program at Heartwood Schools in Mason, Mich., hosting field and spirit days for special needs children. He participated in "Jump Start Your Heart," jumping rope with elementary school children to promote exercise and healthy living. Stanton spoke at an assembly for the entire Grand Ledge Middle School to discuss the importance of leadership, teamwork and education. He also participated in Teams for Toys, Athletes 4 Kids and SPYN Awards (student-athlete lip sync contest) to benefit the Children's Miracle Network.
"With my background in intercollegiate athletics as both a coach and an administrator, I truly admire and appreciate the way Drew emerged as an elite student-athlete," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said. "His academic record speaks for itself: a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and second-team Academic All-American.
"Over the last three years, Drew also became the face of Michigan State's football program. He is a fierce competitor, and you really must consider his body of work to fully appreciate what he accomplished during his playing career. A two-time team MVP, Drew ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in passing and total offense.
"Lastly, Drew understood the importance of community service. He was very generous with his time throughout his collegiate career, and his reward was seeing the warmth in another person's smile. Intelligent, ambitious and likeable, Drew possessed all the qualities necessary to have a positive impact on the MSU campus community. He was and will continue to be a great ambassador for this institution."
