Freeman, Herbert, Dye Among Honorees At Awards Banquet
12/03/17 | Football
Running back Royce Freeman was named team MVP at the Oregon football team's postseason banquet Sunday evening.
EUGENE – Record-setting running back Royce Freeman received the Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny Team MVP Award during Oregon football's postseason banquet Sunday evening at the Eugene Hilton.
Sophomore linebacker Troy Dye was named defensive MVP for the second year in a row, and quarterback Justin Herbert was named offensive MVP despite missing five games with a broken collarbone. Sophomore offensive lineman Shane Lemieux was named the Ducks' most improved player, and defensive tackle Jordon Scott was named freshman of the year.
Freeman rushed for 1,475 yards and 16 touchdowns during Oregon's 7-5 regular season. That gave him a UO-record 5,621 career yards, second in Pac-12 history and sixth in NCAA Division-I history.
Dye enters the Ducks' Las Vegas Bowl appearance on Dec. 16 with 103 tackles on the season, second-most in the Pac-12. He repeated as Oregon's defensive MVP despite a position change, moving from outside linebacker to inside linebacker this fall. Dye's 13.5 tackles for loss were second on the team behind junior defensive end Jalen Jelks, who received the Joe Schaffeld Award as Oregon's top defensive lineman Sunday.
A year after being named the Ducks' top newcomer, Herbert received the team offensive MVP award Sunday. He finished the regular season 113-of-170 passing for 1,750 yards and 13 touchdowns with three interceptions. Herbert also rushed for 166 yards and five touchdowns.
Sophomore receiver Brenden Schooler was named special teams MVP for the 2017 season. He had five tackles on kick coverage. Offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby received the Ed Moshofsky Award as outstanding offensive lineman.
Senior safety Tyree Robinson received the Todd Doxey Award, named for the former UO defensive back who drowned in a river accident prior to the 2008 season. The award is given to the UO player who best exemplifies the traits of spirituality, dedication and brotherhood associated with being an outstanding teammate.
Senior defensive end Henry Mondeaux shared the team captain's award with Freeman, and also received the Tough Man Award for demonstrating extreme toughness and willingness to win. Mondeaux is on track to play in every game of the last four seasons at Oregon, with the Las Vegas Bowl to be his 53rd career appearance.
Sophomore center Jake Hanson and sophomore La'Mar Winston Jr. received the Len Casanova Leadership Award for exemplifying "strong leadership qualities that will be necessary in leading our team into the offseason." Linebacker Kaulana Apelu, who won a starting job before suffering a season-ending injury, was named outstanding walk-on, though he did receive a scholarship just before the season began.
Herbert and offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon's two first-team Pac-12 all-academic selections, shared the football program's academic excellence award. The scout-team players of the year were quarterback Mike Irwin on offense, linebacker Bryson Young on defense and defensive back Sean Killpatrick for special teams. The team's "I Got Your 6" Award for demonstrating "loyalty, commitment and service" to the 2017 team was given to Ed Maletis, who has endowed a scholarship for the football program.
