Griz standouts honored at annual team awards banquet

Griz standouts honored at annual team awards banquet

11/20/2022 3:15:00 PM | Football

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck and his staff honored some of the Grizzlies' top performers of the year on Sunday at the annual awards banquet at the DoubleTree Hotel in Missoula.

Three positional awards were presented along with three awards for "most inspirational player," "hardest hitter," and the "player who best exemplifies Griz football." Also presented were the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award and the Scout Team Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

In total, 12 players were honored for their 2022 performances in maroon and silver. Voting for all awards was conducted by the players, with the coaching staff selecting the scout team player of the year awards.

The team will vote for the Steve Carlson Award MVP at the conclusion of the season, while the coaches will vote for the offensive and defensive MVPs.

In the positional awards, Mitch Roberts became a two-time winner of the Terry Dillon Award for outstanding back or receiver after leading the team in pass catches for a second-straight season.

Junior guard Hunter Mayginnes started every game this season and was named this year's Paul Weskamp Award winner for outstanding offensive lineman.

The Sims-Miller Award for outstanding defensive lineman went to a pair of tackles who led the charge for Montana's stifling defense, with senior Eli Alford and junior Alex Gubner each winning for the first time in their careers.

The Tony Barbour Award for the player "who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly Football Team" also went to a pair of defensive standouts, with linebackers Patrick O'Connell and Marcus Welnel sharing the honor.

This year's Pat Norwood Award winner for most inspirational player went to tight end Matt Rensvold, a man who battled back from three different serious knee injuries to make his return to action this season.

Named after a Grizzly Sports Hall of Famer and former NFL Defensive MVP Doug Betters, Robby Hauck earned the Golden Helmet award for the team's hardest hitter for a third time in his career after becoming UM's all-time leading tackler as a senior.

After several big plays and a standout season on UM's coverage teams, Tyler Flink was named the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year.

The future of Grizzly football was also honored by the coaches. Receiver Camden Ver Strate and O-lineman Declan McCabe were co-recipients of the offensive scout team player of the year, while linebacker Asher Croy was named defense scout team player of the year.

At the conclusion of the season Montana announced its team MVP award winners. The Steve Carlson MVP Award (as voted on by the players) went to Robby Hauck. The coaches selected a pair of offensive and defensive MVPs as well. Mitch Roberts and Hunter Mayginnes each earned offensive MVP awards, while Alex Gubner and Patrick O'Connell were named defensive MVPs.

2022 Grizzly Football Awards

Steve Carlson Most Valuable Player (as voted by the team)
• Robby Hauck

Offensive MVP (as voted by coaches)
• Mitch Roberts
• Hunter Mayginnes

Defensive MVP (as voted by coaches)
• Alex Gubner
• Patrick O'Connell

Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Asher Croy

Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Camden Ver Strate
• Declan McCabe

Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award
• Tyler Flink

Terry Dillon Award
Honoring the outstanding back or receiver – was established in 1964 following the accidental death of former Grizzly Terry Dillon.
• Mitch Roberts

Tony Barbour Award
Given in memory of a loyal Grizzly Fan. It is presented annually to a UM player "who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly Football Team."
• Marcus Welnel
• Patrick O'Connell

Paul Weskamp Award
Established in memory of Paul Weskamp, a tackle on Ed Chinske's 1954 Grizzly Team. The award honors UM's outstanding offensive lineman and was established by citizens of Ronan.
• Hunter Mayginnes

Sims-Miller Award
The Sims-Miller Award is given in memory of two great Grizzly defensive linemen the world lost too soon in vehicle accidents. Jesse Sims, from Stevensville, lettered for UM from 2016-19 and carried on Montana's legacy #37 jersey tradition. Larry Miller was a two-time All-American on UM's 1969 and 1970 Big Sky Champion teams, and was also a conference champion wrestler. The award honors the team's outstanding defensive lineman.
• Eli Alford
• Alex Gubner

Doug Betters Golden Helmet Award
Honors the best tackler and hardest hitter on the team. It was set up on a nation-wide basis by Coca-Cola in 1967.
• Robby Hauck

Pat Norwood Award
Pat Norwood was a four-year starter at offensive tackle for the Grizzlies (1979-82) from Billings who died of cancer in 1983. This award is given to the most inspirational player, who oftentimes had to overcome an injury.
• Matt Rensvold