One of the most dynamic football players in Millersville lore, Kevin Cannon was a premier wide receiver and return specialist who capped his career with a fifth place finish in the final voting for the 1995 Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s outstanding NCAA Division II gridder.
The Pocomoke City, Md. native earned NCAA Division II (CoSIDA), NCAA-II, Don Hansen’s Football Gazette and C.M. Frank All-America honors following his senior year, in which he helped lead the Black & Gold to an undefeated regular season (9-0-1, first such achievement in 55 years) and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
A two-time All-ECAC Division II and All-PSAC East first teamer as both a wideout and returner (1994 and 1995), Cannon posted then-MU records for catches (71) and yards (918) and scored 14 touchdowns in his senior season. He also led the nation in punt return average in 1995 (17.3 yards)—a testament to his game-breaking ability and potential to go all the way for a score every time he touched the ball. After he completed his eligibility, Cannon’s name was atop 14 MU football categories.
He tied the school record for most touchdowns in a game (5) versus Shepherd in the ’95 season opener, including a club-tying 100-yard kickoff return, and his 328 all-purpose yards were the second most in a game in team history. In his ‘Ville career, he returned four kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns, more than any Marauder gridder ever.
In the ’95 NCAA tourney at Ferris State (Mich.), Cannon caught the longest touchdown pass in ‘Ville post-season history, a 46-yarder from QB Greg Moylan.
Cannon holds the following MU return records: career kick runbacks (67), career kick return yards (1,999), overall season return yards (1,087, 1994), overall career return yards (2,831 from 1992 to 1995).
Cannon registered 2,093 receiving yards (158 catches) in his ‘Ville career (No. 3 all-time). In addition, he is No. 2 in career all-purpose yards (4,994) and ranks fifth in career scoring (212 points).
He received the Elwood J. Finley Award in 1996 as MU’s outstanding senior male athlete, and also earned the MU Alumni Football Award in 2000. He graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in occupational safety and hygiene management in 1998.
