Herbert, Amadi Share Team MVP Award

EUGENE — Senior safety Ugochukwu Amadi and junior quarterback Justin Herbert were co-recipients of the Skeie's Award as Oregon football's most valuable players for the 2018 season at the team's postseason awards banquet Saturday.

The Ducks wrapped up the regular season with an 8-4 record by beating Oregon State on the road in Friday's Civil War, 55-15. They now await word of their postseason destination, with several bowls in play to host the Ducks later this month.

Herbert was 221-of-371 passing for 2,985 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions during the regular season. Amadi had 50 tackles, five tackles for loss and three interceptions as a 12-game starter on defense — with two interception returns for touchdowns — and he also had 13 punt returns for 214 yards and a touchdown.

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Junior linebacker Troy Dye was named Oregon's defensive player of the year for the third straight year, sharing the award for 2018 with outside linebacker Justin Hollins. Receiver Dillon Mitchell and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton shared the offensive player of the year award.

Throckmorton also received the Ed Moshofsky Award as Oregon's most outstanding offensive lineman, and Hollins also received the Bob Officer Award for persevering through physical adversity during the year. Jalen Jelks was honored with the Joe Schaffeld Award as most outstanding defensive lineman.

The Ducks' special teams players of the year were Tony Brooks-James and Keith Simms. Brooks-James had 21 kickoff returns for 548 yards, and also played on Oregon's coverage team. Simms had 23 tackles on the season, playing a key role on kickoff coverage.

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The Gonyea Award as Oregon's most inspiring player went to senior linebacker Kaulana Apelu. He brought a fiery competitiveness to practice and games, and remained engaged from the sideline after a leg injury cut short his regular season after nine games.

Not to be overlooked were center Jake Hanson and nose guard Jordon Scott, who received offensive and defensive achievement awards for playing "a critical role in the effectiveness and consistency of this unit." Scott started all 12 games in the middle of the defensive line, and Hanson would have done so on offense if not for a targeting suspension.

The Clarke Award as most improved was shared by a handful of players who stepped up in contributing roles this season, cornerbacks Thomas Graham Jr. and Deommodore Lenoir, defensive linemen Drayton Carlberg and Gus Cumberlander, linebacker Sampson Niu, offensive lineman Brady Aiello and receiver Jaylon Redd.

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Running backs CJ Verdell and Travis Dye shared the offensive Casanova Award as first-year players who best exemplify the athletic ideals and inspiration of the university's former head coach and athletics director, Len Casanova. Verdell is Oregon's leading rusher entering the postseason with 975 yards and Dye is second with 721, after they combined for 411 all-purpose yards in the Civil War. Jevon Holland won the Casanova Award on defense after leading the Ducks with four interceptions.

Offensive lineman Shane Lemieux and defensive lineman Austin Faoliu shared the "Iron Duck" Award for their dedication to the strength and conditioning program. Defensive back Sean Killpatrick was honored for his commitment to academic excellence.

The Ducks' 2018 scout-team players of the year were running back Noah Dahl, safety Lucas Noland and, on special teams, receiver Tevin Jeannis.