Griz football players recognized at annual awards luncheon
11/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 21, 2011
Kicker/punter Brody McKnight and linebacker Caleb McSurdy were the co-recipients of The University of Montana's 2011 Steve Carlson Award, given annually to the team's Most Valuable Player(s).
Montana's football team awards were presented by UM head football coach Robin Pflugrad on Sunday (Nov. 20) afternoon at the annual George Mungas Memorial Football Banquet held at the Doubletree Hotel.
McKnight, a senior from Vancouver, B.C., has made 19-of-25 (76.0%) of his field goal attempts so far this year, including a school-record 14 in a row. He is ranked fourth in the FCS with 1.73 field goals per game. He also averages 43.44 yards per punt, which also ranks him fourth in the country.
McKnight, a team captain this season, was also chosen UM's co-MVP last year, sharing the award with running back Chase Reynolds. He has started in 52 games in a row.
A 6-1, 252-pounder from Boise, Idaho, McSurdy leads the Griz with 114 tackles. He averages 10.36 tackles per game, which ranks him 24th (tie) in the nation, and he has 10 or more tackles in six games. McSurdy was the Grizzlies' defensive captain this season.
Senior wide receiver/returner Jabin Sambrano was presented the Terry Dillon Award, which is given to the team's outstanding back or receiver. He has 28 catches for team-highs of 493 yards and 7 touchdowns, and he's also rushed four times for 120 yards and two TDs.
Sambrano, 5-11, 170, from Temecula, Calif., is believed to be the only player in Big Sky Conference history to have a receiving and rushing touchdown, as well as punt and kickoff returns for scores in the same season.
Jon Opperud was recognized as Montana's outstanding offensive linemen, and received the Paul Weskamp Award. Opperud, a 6-7, 300-pound senior tackle from Portland, Ore., is a three-year starter and also served as UM's team captain on offense this season.
Tabbed UM's outstanding defensive lineman and presented the Larry Miller Award was senior defensive tackle Bryan Waldhauser. From Worden, Mont. "Waldo" is fourth on the team with 62 tackles, and has team-highs of 11 stops for losses and 5.5 sacks.
McSurdy, who has played in 52 career games, was also selected as the team's hardest hitter, receiving the Golden Helmet Award.
Senior cornerback Donny Lisowski, a 5-11, 188-pounder from Seattle, Wash., was chosen as the Grizzlies' "Special Teams Player of the Year." Lisowski also sees action at cornerback, and is 13th (tie) on the team with 32 tackles.
The Tony Barbour Award, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the values and work ethic of Grizzly football, was given to wide receiver Sam Gratton. The junior from Billings, Mont., leads the Griz with 29 receptions. He also serves as UM's holder on special teams.
Senior defensive end Ryan Fetherston was voted the recipient of the Pat Norwood Award ("Most Inspirational Player"). The East Helena native had to overcome a shoulder injury to play this year and was chosen to wear the coveted jersey number 37 prior to the season. Fetherston is Montana's 10th (tie) leading tackler with 38 stops, and has the third most (tie) TFLs with 7.5.
The "Scout Team Player of the Year" on offense was freshman quarterback Trent McKinney from Mililani, Hawaii.
The "Scout Team Player of the Year on defense was sophomore cornerback Marlon Miles from Portland, Oregon.
