2017 Spartan Football Awards Banquet Recap
12/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State football program held its 2017 awards banquet on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of nearly 600 at the Kellogg Center on campus.
"I really respect the job, the grind and the grit that our football team showed really from day one," MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. "Not just in the games, but really coming back and starting the process over and doing it the hard way. That's what we've done, and I'm very, very appreciative of all of their hard work. It's not a very big senior class, but the seniors who were there led, and then we've got an infusion of young players into this program, which I think sort of gave us a new life, and then our junior class if very solid."
Sunday's banquet was a celebration of the 2017 regular season, in which the Spartans finished with a 9-3 overall record (7-2 Big Ten) and are in position to record their sixth double-digit win season in the last eight years with a victory in the Holiday Bowl. Michigan State, which finished No. 16 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, will play in the 40th annual San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl against No. 18 Washington State on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. EST in SDCCU Stadium in San Diego, California.
"When you win nine football games and are going to a great bowl game against a great opponent, with the opportunity to win 10 games, that doesn't happen often, plus with the chance to send our players out right. Now we need to get job number 10 for us," Dantonio said.
Sophomore linebacker Joe Bachie was selected Most Valuable Player (Governor's Award recipient) by his teammates. Bachie, who leads the team in tackles, becomes the first sophomore to win the Governor's Award since quarterback Drew Stanton in 2004.
"It is a significant statement for Joe Bachie, and it sort of sets the tone for our entire football team. We've got a young team and with 78 players being sophomores on down, the future is bright," Dantonio said.
Below is the complete list of hardware presented at the 2017 Spartan Football Awards Banquet.
President's Award (senior back/lineman for perseverance): Gerald Holmes (offense), Demetrius Cooper (defense)
Cowing Award (senior manager): Austin Featherstone and Ryan Connelly
Con Demos Scholarship Award (manager): Matt DeWyse
Jim Adams Award (unsung hero): Darrell Stewart Jr. (offense), Khari Willis (defense)
Iron Man Award (strength and conditioning): Raequan Williams
Potsy Ross Award (scholar-athlete): Chase Gianacakos
George Scofes Outstanding Faculty Award: Nicolas Gisholt, College of Social Science
Tommy Love Award (most improved): Felton Davis III (offense), David Dowell (defense)
Clarence Underwood Sportsmanship Award: Matt Sokol
MSU Football Players Association Community Service Award: Gerald Holmes
Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award: Luke Campbell (offense), Kenny Willekes (defense)
Outstanding Underclass Back Award: Brian Lewerke (offense), Josiah Scott (defense)
Up Front Award (outstanding lineman): Brian Allen (offense), Joe Bachie (defense)
Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding defensive player): Chris Frey
Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding offensive player): Brian Allen
Downtown Coaches Club (outstanding special teams player): Jake Hartbarger
Danziger Award (outstanding Detroit-area player): David Beedle
Doug Weaver Oil Can Award (team humorist): Darrell Stewart Jr.
Biggie Munn Award (most inspirational): Brian Allen (offense), Joe Bachie (defense)
Governor's Award (most valuable player): Joe Bachie
Captains Award: Brian Allen, Chris Frey
