Lindsay Named Colorado Football MVP

December 10, 2017 | Football

Annual Senior Banquet Held Sunday

By: David Plati, Associate AD/Sports Information

BOULDER — Senior tailback Phillip Lindsay was named the University of Colorado's most valuable player at the team's annual senior banquet Sunday afternoon at the Dal Ward Athletic Center.

He's the first running back to win the honor, named for Zack Jordan, since Rodney Stewart in 2011, and the seventh overall. He set 24 school records and tied two others in his career, in which he played in the maximum 51 games over the course of four years; he set all but four of those records this season.

The second-team All-Pac-12 performer by the Associated Press at the all-purpose position, he finished his career as CU's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,760) and in yards from scrimmage (4,683), while finishing second in rushing yards (3,707). He set marks for the most receptions (110) and receiving yards (976) by a running back and is CU's fourth all-time leading scorer (234 points). This year, he rushed for 1,474 yards, the fifth-most in a single-season at Colorado, with five 100-yard games that included a high of 281 against Arizona when he also scored three touchdowns.   He led the Buffs in scoring with 90 points on the strength of 15 touchdowns (14 rushing), and earned 93 first downs.

The John Mack Award for the most outstanding player on offense was given to sophomore quarterback Steven Montez. He had 3,313 yards of total offense, including 2,995 passing, the second and third highest single-season totals in school history, respectively. In completing 228-of-377 passes (60.5 percent), he threw 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions; he set several school marks this season, including the most consecutive passes without an interception (172).

The Dave Jones Award for the outstanding defensive player was presented to junior inside linebacker Rick Gamboa, who finished second on the team in tackles with 117 (45 unassisted). He also had seven passes broken up, 10 third down stops, five quarterback hurries, and seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage, including five tackles for zero. He had at least seven tackles in all 12 games, including 10 or more four times, with a high of 17 at Arizona State.

The Bill McCartney Award for special teams achievement was given to sophomore tailback Beau Bisharat for the second straight year, the sixth player to earn the nod at least twice. Bisharat again played on almost all of CU's special team units and led the Buffs in special team points earned with 29; he was in on 13 tackles (three inside-the-20), with five forced fair catches, three knockdown blocks to free return men, two first downfield credits that altered the return path, two downed punts and one punt pressure.

CU's inspirational honors went to senior safety Ryan Moeller (the Derek Singleton Award for spirit, dedication and enthusiasm); senior outside linebacker Derek McCartney (the Eddie Crowder Award for outstanding team leadership); junior tailback Kyle Evans (the Tyronee "Tiger" Bussey Award for inspiration in the face of physical adversity); and senior Andrew Bergner (the Tom McMahon Award for dedication and work ethic).

Senior tight end and defensive end George Frazier claimed the Dean Jacob Van Ek Award for academic achievement. Frazier will graduate later this month with the second of two degrees, a master's in Education Foundations, Policies & Practices; he earned his bachelor's in Ethnic Studies. He recently made the honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic Team with a 3.43 grade point average.

The Scout Team Awards were presented to walk-on performers, with the offensive honors going to tight end Brady Russell (the nephew of Matt Russell, CU's 1996 Butkus Award winner) and the defensive nod awarded to lineman Nico Magri. The coaches selected the players who contributed the most to the weekly preparation on their respective scout teams over the course of the entire season.

The Lee Willard Award for the most outstanding freshman went to placekicker James Stefanou, who was the nation's oldest freshman at 30.    He set CU freshman records for scoring (86 points), field goals made (17) and attempted (22) while making all 35 of his extra point tries.

Lindsay also captured the "Best Interview" honor from CU's beat media, for his availability and straightforward and thoughtful answers. It was the second straight year he was recognized with the nod, the fourth to be twice since it was created in 1987.

In all, 71 players earned letters this season, including 21 seniors and 27 who were cited as first-year lettermen, with 16 of those players freshmen (nine redshirt, seven true). The lettermen broke down into 32 offensive and 33 defensive players along with six specialists.

The complete list of CU award winners announced Sunday, selected by the coaching staff unless otherwise noted:

Zack Jordan Award (most valuable player): TB Phillip Lindsay
John Mack Award (outstanding offensive players): QB Steven Montez
Dave Jones Award (outstanding defensive players): ILB Rick Gamboa
Bill McCartney Award (special teams achievement): TB Beau Bisharat
Lee Willard Award (outstanding freshman): PK James Stefanou
Offensive Scout Player of the Year: TE Brady Russell
Defensive Scout Players of the Year: DL Nico Magri
Dean Jacob Van Ek Award (academic excellence): TE/DE George Frazier
Derek Singleton Award (spirit/dedication/enthusiasm): S Ryan Moeller
Tyronee "Tiger" Bussey Award (inspiration in the face of physical adversity): TB Kyle Evans
Tom McMahon Award (dedication/work ethic): CB Andrew Bergner
Eddie Crowder Award (outstanding team leadership): OLB Derek McCartney
Offensive Trench Award: OT Jeromy Irwin and OG Gerrad Kough
Defensive Trench Award: DE Leo Jackson III
Hammer Award (hardest legal hit of the year): OG Gerrad Kough
Best Interview (selected by team beat media): TB Phillip Lindsay

Previously announced:
Buffalo Heart Award (selected by the fans): TB Phillip Lindsay