Bernard Scott finishes second in Harlon Hill vote
12/14/2007 6:00:00 AM | Football
FLORENCE, Ala. -- Bernard Scott set three NCAA Division II single-season records in 2007, but those weren't enough to offset the career numbers posted by Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead, who on Friday night became only the third player in NCAA Division II history to win consecutive Harlon Hill Awards.
The award ? which was bestowed upon Woodhead Friday night before Valdosta State and Northwest Missouri State face off in Saturday's national championship game ? is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division II football.
Woodhead received 175 total points in the voting and held a commanding 53-point margin over Scott, who finished second with 122 points. Woodhead received 36 first-place votes compared to 25 for Scott. Delta State linebacker Michael Eubanks ? trying to become only the second defensive player to win the award ? finished third in the voting with 12 first-place votes and 100 total points.
The award winner is determined in voting by the NCAA Division II sports information directors and was presented in front of a crowd of 400 at the 22 nd annual Harlon Hill Trophy award banquet at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center.
Scott had a phenomenal junior season in leading the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and a second straight appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He set NCAA Division II single-season records for touchdowns (39), rushing touchdowns (35) and points scored (234). He also set the
Lone Star Conference single-season rushing record (2,165 yards), and nine times he scored at least three touchdowns in a game for ACU.
He twice broke the ACU single-game rushing record, first with a 283-yard effort in a 70-63 win over Tarleton State in Stephenville on Oct. 27, and then again on Nov. 24 with 303 yards in a 76-73 triple-overtime loss to Chadron (Neb.) State in the second round of the playoffs. In both of those games, Scott tied the LSC and ACU single-game record with six touchdowns and 36 points scored. In the win over Tarleton, he scored all six touchdowns on the ground, while in the CSC game he had five rushing and one receiving.
"This was a great honor to be in the final three for this award," Scott said. "I couldn't have done it without the help and great play of our offensive line. Those guys did a great job every week, both in the running and passing game."
Woodhead joins former Texas A&M-Kingsville running back Johnny Bailey (1987-88-89) and former Valdosa State quarterback Dusty Bonner (2000-01) as the only players to win back-to-back Harlon Hill trophies.
Woodhead, a Hill candidate for four straight seasons, broke the NCAA all-division career rushing record with 7,962 yards and his 9,479 career all-purpose yards is second-best in college football history. Among his numerous NCAA all-division records are marks for most consecutive games to score in (38) and most career 200-yard rushing games (19). His 37 career 100-yard rushing games is an NCAA Division II record.
However, his numbers in 2007 were not as strong as Scott's.
Woodhead ran for 1,876 yards and averaged 6.0 yards per carry while scoring 24 touchdowns compared to Scott's 2,165 yards, 8.6 yards per carry and 39 touchdowns. Scott also out-performed Woodhead in the head-to-head matchup on Nov. 24 in Chadron, Neb., when Scott ran for 303 yards and five touchdowns on just 22 carries ( 13.8-yard average) and added another 80 yards and one touchdown on four receptions. Woodhead had 188 yards and three scores on 39 carries (4.8 yards per carry), while adding another 49 yards and one score on five catches.
"To be really honest, I thought Michael Eubanks would win the award," Scott said. "He's a great player and person ? as is Danny ? and I've enjoyed the chance to get to know both of them.
"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in not winning ... I guess I'm a little bit surprised because of the numbers I put up this year," Scott said. "We all knew going in that somebody was going to win it and two guys would walk away without the trophy. I had a great time here this week and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. The people here in Florence have been great and I can't thank them enough. Hopefully we'll be back here next year to win two trophies (Harlon Hill and national championship)."
