(Gophersports.com) — The University of Minnesota football team and the Goal Line Club celebrated the 2017 season at the annual Golden Gopher Football Banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Hilton Minneapolis.
The highlight of the program was the announcement of the team’s annual awards. Junior running back Rodney Smith was honored with the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is given annually to the team’s most valuable player. Smith also won the award in 2016, which made him the first repeat winner since Marqueis Gray in 2011-12. Smith is the first Gopher running back to repeat since Laurence Maroney in 2004-05.
MNN Sports Director Mike Grimm interviewed Smith after the festivities:
Jonathan Celestin received the Carl Eller Award (outstanding defensive player) after totaling 78 tackles. Celestin also scored the first touchdown of his career when he returned an interception for a touchdown to seal a Homecoming win against Illinois.
MNN Sports Director Mike Grimm talked with Celestin after the banquet:
Nate Wozniak was honored with the Bruce Smith Award (outstanding offensive player). Wozniak started 36 career games and played in 43. This year, he caught seven passes for 104 yards, but was also a punishing blocker and helped the Gophers rush for 2,189 yards and 20 scores. Wozniak also received the Gopher Elite Award.
Ryan Santoso won the Bobby Bell Award (outstanding special teams player) after averaging 43.0 yards per punt on 66 attempts. Santoso ended his career with an average of 41.8 yards, which ranks fifth all-time in school history.
Santoso and kicker Emmit Carpenter received the Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award (great character on and off the field), while the Butch Nash Award (competitive on the field and in the classroom) was presented to seniors Brandon Lingen and Andrew Stelter.
The Paul Giel Award (unselfishness and most concern for Minnesota) was presented to Eric Carter and Adekunle Ayinde. The Neil Fredenburg Award (love of the game) was presented to Conor Rhoda and Thomas Barber
Blake Cashman and Kobe McCrary received the Gary Tinsley Award for best embracing the underdog persona of Gary Tinsley, who played for the Gophers from 2008-11 and passed away in April 2012. Cashman also received the award in 2016.
The Outstanding Offensive Freshman of the Year award was presented to Conner Olson, while Nate Umlor was recognized as Outstanding Defensive Freshman of the Year.
The Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year was Mohamed Ibrahim, while Esezi Otomewo was honored as Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year. The Special Teams Scout Player of the Year was awarded for the first time and was presented to Jack Leius.
Garrison Wright received the Offensive Trench Award (best offensive lineman) and Steve Richardson received the Defensive Trench Award (best defensive lineman).
Payton Jordahl received the R.T.B Trust Award and Ayinde, Cashman, Julian Huff and Cody Poock were recognized as Quad Team Members, who played on all four special teams.
2017 GOLDEN GOPHER FOOTBALL BANQUET AWARD WINNERS
Bronko Nagurski Award (Team MVP) – Rodney Smith
Bruce Smith Award (Outstanding Offensive Player) – Nate Wozniak
Carl Eller Award (Outstanding Defensive Player) – Jonathan Celestin
Bobby Bell Award (Outstanding Special Teams Player) – Ryan Santoso
Gary Tinsley Award – Blake Cashman, Kobe McCrary
Neil Fredenburg Award – Thomas Barber, Conor Rhoda
Paul Giel Award – Adekunle Ayinde, Eric Carter
Butch Nash Award – Brandon Lingen, Andrew Stelter
Tony Dungy Award – Emmit Carpenter, Ryan Santoso
Offensive Trench Award – Garrison Wright
Defensive Trench Award – Steven Richardson
Outstanding Offensive Freshman – Conner Olson
Outstanding Defensive Freshman – Nate Umlor
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Mohamed Ibrahim
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Esezi Otomewo
Special Teams Scout Player of the Year – Jack Leius
Gopher Elite Award – Nate Wozniak
R.T.B Trust Award – Payton Jordahl
(content and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)