Junior running back Cory McCaffrey has been named the Portland State football team's Most Valuable Player for the 2010 season. McCaffrey was given the honor, along with the Outstanding Offensive Back award, at a team banquet held Sunday at Hoffmann Hall on the Portland State campus.

McCaffrey, who was playing running back for the Vikings for the first time in 2010, rushed 231 times for 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns, earned first team All-Big Sky Conference honors. He ranked second in the Big Sky Conference and 12th in the nation despite missing most of the season finale with a quad injury and facing two Pac-10 teams early in the season. McCaffrey's 1,287 yards ranks eighth-best in Portland State history. He had a career-high 226 yards against Northern Colorado on Nov. 13. The 5-9, 185-pounder from Sisters, OR also had eight 100-yard rushing games to rank third all-time for a season.

A second team All-Big Sky Conference selection, DeShawn Shead, was named as the team's outstanding defensive back. A junior cornerback, Shead had 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a sack during the season. It marks the third straight year that Shead, a native of Palmdale, CA, has earned the award.

The Outstanding Offensive Lineman was junior tackle Dustin Waldron. He was part of an offensive line that led the Vikings to 396.5 yards per game, an improvement of over 40 yards from 2009. The Viking line also led the team to 2,236 rushing yards - just 19 yards short of a Portland State school record. The 6-6, 280-pound Waldron was an honorable mention All-Big Sky lineman.

Waldron, who hails from Pleasant Hill, OR and Marist High School, was also presented with the "Victor Award" by the Portland State coaching staff. The Victor Award honors consistent superlative play in conjunction with team leadership.

The Outstanding Defensive Lineman of the Year was Julious Moore. A true freshman from Bellevue, WA, Moore showed the tremendous potential he has for the future in the Viking program. The 6-foot, 290-pounder had 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery this season. He was an honorable mention All-Big Sky lineman.

Kicker Zach Brown was presented with the Special Teams Player of the Year Award after tieing his own Portland State record for field goals in a season with 18. Just a sophomore, Brown now also holds the school record for field goals in a career with 36. From Keizer's McNary High School, Brown was twice selected as the Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week during the season. He was an honorable mention All-Big Sky kicker.

Earning Most Inspirational honors for the team was junior center Adam Kleffner. A first-year starter at center, Kleffner had a solid season on the line with Waldron, earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference. Kleffner, a 6-3, 310-pounder, is from Portland's Jesuit High School.

The Most Improved Player on the team was linebacker Shane Melbo. A junior transfer from Palomar JC, Melbo had 32 tackles and six tackles for loss while starting two games and playing all 11.

Scout Team Player of the Year honors were given to freshman AJ Powell. The multi-purpose back from Pasadena, CA's Charter Oaks High School served as a Viking return man this season, totaling 399 all-purpose yards.

Despite missing the year following shoulder surgery, quarterback Drew Hubel was given the Mike Schrunk Scholar-Athlete Award for the third straight season. Hubel, who passed for more than 6,300 yards and 42 touchdowns in his first three seasons was sidelined, but maintained high academic standards once again.

Booster Bill Holmes was recognized at the banquet with the Charles Withers Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the program. Holmes was instrumental in the planning, development, gathering of support, and execution of the renovation of the Viking football coaches offices this past summer.

The team awards were selected in a vote of the Viking players. Every Viking award winner is a returning player in 2011.

Among the award presenters were Viking alumni players Jamal Abdullah (2002-05), Jesse Brand (1995-98), Bob Gill (1955), Charles Gilmore (1997-98), Gary Hamblet (1958-61), Joey King (2002-05), Jeff Long (1978-81), Tom Oberg (1966-67), Mike Stachowiak (2001-04) and Brian Warner (1995-96).

2010 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Cory McCaffrey
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - Dustin Waldron
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE BACK (RB,WR,TE,QB) - Cory McCaffrey
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE LINEMAN - Julious Moore
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE BACK (LB,DB) - DeShawn Shead
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Zach Brown
MIKE SCHRUNK SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD - Drew Hubel
MOST INSPIRATIONAL - Adam Kleffner
MOST IMPROVED - Shane Melbo
SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR - AJ Powell
VICTOR AWARD (consistent superlative play, team leadership): Dustin Waldron
CHARLES WITHERS AWARD (outstanding contribution to the program): Bill Holmes