White and Heaton Selected as Titan Football "Most Valuable"

13 December 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Senior wide receiver Eric White and senior defensive back Vince Heaton have been selected as the most valuable offensive player and most valuable defensive player, respectively, for the 2004 Illinois Wesleyan University football team.

White (Antioch HS), who also earned the team’s “Best Skill” award for the second straight season and was a first team all-CCIW pick, was also the team’s offensive MVP in 2003. White had 66 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns while earning all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honors for the third straight year.

He finished his career as IWU's all-time leader in catches (237) while ranking second in receiving yards (3,430) and TDs (38). A third-team all-North Region selection and four-year starter, White also tied the single-game school reception record this season with 15 against Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Heaton (Wheaton, Wheaton Warrenville South HS) was a first team all-conference selection as he ranked second on the team with 91 tackles. He had 50 solo tackles, made one interception for a 25 yard return and broke up eight other passes.

Other Team Honors

Junior quarterback Tom Kudyba (Des Plaines, Elk Grove HS) was selected as the “Most Improved Player”, senior defensive lineman Josh Remer (Crestwood, Shepard HS) earned “Best Lineman” honors, and running back Marcus Dunlop (Maywood, Proviso East HS) was named the team’s “Most Valuable Freshman.”

Kudyba assumed the starting role early in the season and completed 57 percent of his passes (135 of 236) for 1442 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 387 yards on 91 carries with four touchdowns.

Remer finished fourth on the team with 61 total tackles, including 26 solo. He made five quarterback sacks for 24 yards loss.

Dunlop led the Titans with 659 yards on 148 carries and scored six touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 110 yards. His 222 rushing yards against North Park represents the sixth most in a single game at IWU.

The “Best Big Skill” award went to junior linebacker Damon Banks (Bellwood, Walther Lutheran HS) and sophomore defensive back and return specialist Eric Esch (Bloomington HS) was the “Best Special Teams” player.

Banks led IWU with 97 total tackles, including 41 solos. He recorded a quarterback sack, broke up a pass and had two quarterback hurries.

Esch finished second in the national Division III statistics with a 20.6 punt return average and brought back two for touchdowns. His 80-yard punt return for a TD against Chicago is tied for the third longest in school history.

Freshman wide receiver Andrew Dulaney (Eden Prairie, Minn., HS) and freshman defensive lineman Tim Wilkins (Evanston HS) were the winners of the top offensive and defensive junior varsity player honors, respectively.

Senior center Chris Reynolds (Springfield, Southeast HS) and senior defensive back Andrew Tarman (Carol Stream, Glenbard North HS) shared the “Titan Award”, which is voted on by the coaches for loyalty, leadership, citizenship, sports-minded, team-minded and attitude.

The Titans finished with a 3-7 overall record and placed sixth in the CCIW with a 2-5 mark. Titan head coach Norm Eash, who has a 113-56-1 record in 18 seasons at his alma mater, will return seven defensive starters and three offensive starters next season.

Eash awarded letters to 56 IWU football players, including 39 who will return next season.

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206