EHC's Jennings Wins Dudley Award

Adds Award to ODAC Top Offensive Honor

RICHMOND, Va. --- Emory & Henry star running back Caleb Jennings has won the Virginia College State Player of the Year award for Division II, III and NAIA football.

Formerly known as the Dudley Award, the honor is now named after former Kansas City Chief Hall-of-Fame linebacker Willie Lanier.

Jennings is the first E&H football player to win this award since Cary Perkins won it in 1992. Both Bill Dudley and Willie Lanier, a pair of NFL Hall of Famers, were on hand to present the award.

Jennings, a junior, is also the 2009 ODAC Offensive Player of the Year, having run for 137 yards per game, 14 touchdowns, and contributing as both a punt and kick returner.  He led the ODAC with 1,371 total rushing yards.

Jennings in particular said he was impressed by the lineup of players on hand, including standouts from from Division I athletics. "Being here with Hall of Famers, and people who I'm going to be watching play on New Year's Eve, in Atlanta," he said. "It's an amazing game, and it can bring so many people together."

The ODAC also commanded the remaining two finalists in the college division.  Washington and Lee University's Matt Cassilly and Hampden-Sydney College's Will Riggenbach joined Jennings in the finalist pool.  Cassilly, a senior defensive end, led the Generals and placed second in the ODAC with 10.0 sacks.  Riggenbach, the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the league with 14.5 sacks from his position on the defensive line.