
Griz Standouts Honored with Annual Team Awards
1/8/2025 1:40:00 PM | Football
Montana football head coach Bobby Hauck announced the winners of the 2024 Grizzly team awards on Wednesday, honoring the program's top performers of the season.
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This year's recipients of the Steve Carlson Team MVP Award as well as the Offensive and Defensive MVPs were named alongside three positional awards and three awards for "most inspirational player," "hardest hitter," and the "player who best exemplifies Griz football." Also named were the winners of the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award and the Scout Team Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
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In total, 12 players were honored for their work in 2024. Voting for the bulk of the awards was conducted by the players, with the coaching staff selecting the Scout Team Players of the Year and Offensive and Defensive MVPs.
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The 2024 Steve Carlson Team MVP Award went to NCAA record holder Junior Bergen of Billings, who capped his legendary career tied for the most punt return touchdowns in FCS history with eight to his name. He also now holds the UM school record for average yards per punt return at 16.71 to pass Marc Mariani's average of 15.01. That average of 16.71 per punt return lands him third in Big Sky history behind EWU's Cooper Kupp and Weber State's Randle Anderson.
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This year's Offensive MVP went to prolific running back Eli Gillman who put together yet another of the best seasons for a Grizzly running back in program history with a career-high 1,104 net rush yards on 167 carries, a top 10 season in Grizzly history, the third-most yards in the Big Sky, and a top 25 total in the FCS. He also rushed for 15 touchdowns – the seventh-most in a season ever at UM, the third-most in the Big Sky in 2024 and the ninth-most in the FCS.
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Gillman was also presented the Terry Dillon Award for outstanding back or receiver for a second-straight season following a breakout year in 2023 where he earned the Jerry Rice Award for the nation's top freshman. Add them together and he is now set to enter his junior year ranked No. 7 in Montana history in career rushing yards with 2,137, ranked No. 5 in Grizzly history in rushing touchdowns with 28 and No. 7 with 30 total TDs.
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Senior defensive end Hayden Harris also doubled-up on awards, being named the Defensive MVP and earning the Sims-Miller Award for outstanding D-lineman.
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In just two years at UM, Harris developed into the team's biggest disruptor on the defensive front in 2024, leading the Big Sky in forced fumbles with three, finishing second in the league with two fumble recoveries, and third in the league in sacks and tackles for Loss. He finished his career at UM with 21.5 TFLs to tie him at No. 28 all-time in program history in that category. His 21.5 TFLs were responsible for 126 lost yards for opposing offenses, and his total of 84 tackles made one in every 4 of his stops a TFL.
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In other positional awards, three-time All-America tackle Brandon Casey was named the winner of the Paul Weskamp Award for the team's outstanding offensive lineman. Casey was a mainstay on the Grizzly O-line as a three-year starter at right tackle with 43 career starts to his name. The native of Sandpoint, Idaho, was at two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection as a junior and senior and to date is a three-time academic all-conference pick as well.
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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" went to a pair of defensive standouts, with safety Ryder Meyer of Fairfield and linebacker Ryan Tirrell of Missoula sharing the honor.
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This year's Pat Norwood Award winner for most inspirational player went to offensive tackle Dillon Botner, who battled back from injuries to make three starts as a senior and 37 career appearances. The Whitefish native now has his sights set on medical school after earning a 3.72 GPA in a post-bac major in cellular and molecular neuroscience, and two bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and biology with a minor in physics. He earned both his undergraduate degrees with Magna Cum Laude honors.
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Named after a Grizzly Sports Hall of Famer and former NFL Defensive MVP Doug Betters, Missoula native Jaxon Lee earned the Golden Helmet Award for the hardest hitter after totaling 92 tackles his senior season – the second-most on the team.
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The Hauck Family Special Teams Award went to another Montanan in Tanner Huff of Butte, who featured on almost all of UM's specialist units and recorded 15 tackles on the year.
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The future of Grizzly football was also honored by the coaches. Safety Dane Parker and D-lineman Jaxon Tucker of Billings were co-recipients of the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award, while receiver Monte Gillman was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year.
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2024 Grizzly Football Team Awards
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Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Dane Parker
• Jaxon Tucker
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Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Monte Gillman
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Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award
• Tanner Huff
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Terry Dillon Award
Honoring the outstanding back or receiver – was established in 1964 following the accidental death of former Grizzly Terry Dillon.
• Eli Gillman
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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."
• Ryder Meyer
• Ryan Tirrell
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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.
• Brandon Casey
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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.
• Hayden Harris
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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.
• Jaxon Lee
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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.
• Dillon Botner
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Steve Carlson MVP Award
Given to the team's most valuable player in memory of former Grizzly football player who died in 1977.
• Junior Bergen
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Offensive MVP
• Eli Gillman
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Defensive MVP
• Hayden Harris
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This year's recipients of the Steve Carlson Team MVP Award as well as the Offensive and Defensive MVPs were named alongside three positional awards and three awards for "most inspirational player," "hardest hitter," and the "player who best exemplifies Griz football." Also named were the winners of the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award and the Scout Team Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
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In total, 12 players were honored for their work in 2024. Voting for the bulk of the awards was conducted by the players, with the coaching staff selecting the Scout Team Players of the Year and Offensive and Defensive MVPs.
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The 2024 Steve Carlson Team MVP Award went to NCAA record holder Junior Bergen of Billings, who capped his legendary career tied for the most punt return touchdowns in FCS history with eight to his name. He also now holds the UM school record for average yards per punt return at 16.71 to pass Marc Mariani's average of 15.01. That average of 16.71 per punt return lands him third in Big Sky history behind EWU's Cooper Kupp and Weber State's Randle Anderson.
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This year's Offensive MVP went to prolific running back Eli Gillman who put together yet another of the best seasons for a Grizzly running back in program history with a career-high 1,104 net rush yards on 167 carries, a top 10 season in Grizzly history, the third-most yards in the Big Sky, and a top 25 total in the FCS. He also rushed for 15 touchdowns – the seventh-most in a season ever at UM, the third-most in the Big Sky in 2024 and the ninth-most in the FCS.
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Gillman was also presented the Terry Dillon Award for outstanding back or receiver for a second-straight season following a breakout year in 2023 where he earned the Jerry Rice Award for the nation's top freshman. Add them together and he is now set to enter his junior year ranked No. 7 in Montana history in career rushing yards with 2,137, ranked No. 5 in Grizzly history in rushing touchdowns with 28 and No. 7 with 30 total TDs.
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Senior defensive end Hayden Harris also doubled-up on awards, being named the Defensive MVP and earning the Sims-Miller Award for outstanding D-lineman.
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In just two years at UM, Harris developed into the team's biggest disruptor on the defensive front in 2024, leading the Big Sky in forced fumbles with three, finishing second in the league with two fumble recoveries, and third in the league in sacks and tackles for Loss. He finished his career at UM with 21.5 TFLs to tie him at No. 28 all-time in program history in that category. His 21.5 TFLs were responsible for 126 lost yards for opposing offenses, and his total of 84 tackles made one in every 4 of his stops a TFL.
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In other positional awards, three-time All-America tackle Brandon Casey was named the winner of the Paul Weskamp Award for the team's outstanding offensive lineman. Casey was a mainstay on the Grizzly O-line as a three-year starter at right tackle with 43 career starts to his name. The native of Sandpoint, Idaho, was at two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection as a junior and senior and to date is a three-time academic all-conference pick as well.
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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" went to a pair of defensive standouts, with safety Ryder Meyer of Fairfield and linebacker Ryan Tirrell of Missoula sharing the honor.
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This year's Pat Norwood Award winner for most inspirational player went to offensive tackle Dillon Botner, who battled back from injuries to make three starts as a senior and 37 career appearances. The Whitefish native now has his sights set on medical school after earning a 3.72 GPA in a post-bac major in cellular and molecular neuroscience, and two bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and biology with a minor in physics. He earned both his undergraduate degrees with Magna Cum Laude honors.
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Named after a Grizzly Sports Hall of Famer and former NFL Defensive MVP Doug Betters, Missoula native Jaxon Lee earned the Golden Helmet Award for the hardest hitter after totaling 92 tackles his senior season – the second-most on the team.
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The Hauck Family Special Teams Award went to another Montanan in Tanner Huff of Butte, who featured on almost all of UM's specialist units and recorded 15 tackles on the year.
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The future of Grizzly football was also honored by the coaches. Safety Dane Parker and D-lineman Jaxon Tucker of Billings were co-recipients of the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award, while receiver Monte Gillman was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year.
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2024 Grizzly Football Team Awards
Â
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Dane Parker
• Jaxon Tucker
Â
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year
• Monte Gillman
Â
Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year Award
• Tanner Huff
Â
Terry Dillon Award
Honoring the outstanding back or receiver – was established in 1964 following the accidental death of former Grizzly Terry Dillon.
• Eli Gillman
Â
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."
• Ryder Meyer
• Ryan Tirrell
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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.
• Brandon Casey
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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.
• Hayden Harris
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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.
• Jaxon Lee
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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.
• Dillon Botner
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Steve Carlson MVP Award
Given to the team's most valuable player in memory of former Grizzly football player who died in 1977.
• Junior Bergen
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Offensive MVP
• Eli Gillman
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Defensive MVP
• Hayden Harris
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Players Mentioned
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