PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State University football team presented year-end awards during its annual banquet Thursday evening at Martin Stadium.
Junior quarterback Luke Falk was named the Team MVP for the second-straight season after he led the Pac-12 in both completion percentage (.700) in passing yards with 4,468. He was also second in the conference in passing yards per game (343.7), total offense (338.5) and passing touchdowns (38). Falk guided the Cougars to an eight-game winning streak midway through the season, including a 7-0 start in conference play for the first time since in school history.
Senior Gabe Marks was named the Offensive MVP for the second-straight season while senior Shalom Luani garnered Defensive MVP honors, also for the second-consecutive year. Marks became the Pac-12 Conference's all-time leading receiver with 316 career receptions. In 2016 Marks led WSU with 89 catches for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to repeating as an All-Pac-12 First Team honoree. Luani was pivotal to the Cougar defense, totaling 68 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, four interceptions and six pass break ups as he earned All-Pac-12 First-Team honors.
Senior Colton Teglovic was named the Special Teams MVP as he played on all four special team units and recorded eight tackles.
Junior guard Cody O'Connell received the Mike Utley Award, given to the offensive lineman of the year. O'Connell became WSU's second consensus All-American, sweeping first-team honors from all major outlets. Sophomore defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa was awarded the Leon Bender Award as the defensive lineman of the year. Mata'afa recorded 47 tackles, along with team-bests of 13.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks, as he garnered All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.
Junior linebacker Isaac Dotson was named the recipient of the Tim Petek Strongest Man Award. Dotson, who had played multiple positions his first three seasons, found a home at linebacker and had 64 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and two interceptions. Senior linebacker Parker Henry was awarded the Randal Simmons Award for the second-straight season, named in honor of the former Cougar and Los Angeles SWAT team member who was killed in the line of duty in 2008. While limited on the field, Henry was a tremendous leader and role model for the younger team members.
Wide receiver River Cracraft was named the recipient of the Laurie Niemi Award, given to the senior who best depicts the courage and attitude of former Cougar assistant coach Laurie Niemi. Despite missing the last three games of the season, Cracraft finished his WSU career second all-time with 218 receptions. Offensive guard Eduardo Middleton was given the Frank Butler Award, which goes to a senior member of the team who exemplifies the Cougar spirit made famous by Spokane booster Frank Butler. The Cougar Inspiration Award, known as the Fred Bohler Award, was presented to senior center Riley Sorenson for displaying the inspiration of former athletic director and head basketball coach Fred Bohler.
Junior running back Jamal Morrow was the recipient of the Captain's Award for Offense with junior linebacker Peyton Pelluer receiving the Captain's Award for Defense. Both awards are presented for showing exceptional leadership throughout the season.
Junior defensive lineman Nick Begg received the Cougar Academic Excellence Award while Scout Team Players of the Year were given to sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Comfort and sophomore wide receiver Brandon Arconado.
The Cougars ended their 2016 season with an 8-5 record and a second-straight bowl game for the first time since the 2002-03 seasons.
SENIOR AWARDS
Laurie Niemi Award (Cougar Courage and Attitude) – River Cracraft
Frank Butler Award (Cougar Spirit) – Eduardo Middleton
J. Fred Bohler Award (Cougar Inspiration) – Riley Sorenson
TEAM AWARDS
Team MVP - Luke Falk
Leon Bender Award (Defensive Lineman of the Year) – Hercules Mata'afa
Mike Utley Award (Offensive Lineman of the Year) – Cody O'Connell
Tim Petek Award (Strongest Man Award) – Isaac Dotson
Offensive Most Valuable Player - Gabe Marks
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Shalom Luani
Special Teams MVP – Colton Teglovic
Randal Simmons Award (Coaches Award) - Parker Henry
Offense Captain Award – Jamal Morrow
Defense Captain Award – Peyton Pelluer
Cougar Academic Excellence Award – Nick Begg
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Brandon Arconado
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Taylor Comfort
--wsucougars.com--
Junior quarterback Luke Falk was named the Team MVP for the second-straight season after he led the Pac-12 in both completion percentage (.700) in passing yards with 4,468. He was also second in the conference in passing yards per game (343.7), total offense (338.5) and passing touchdowns (38). Falk guided the Cougars to an eight-game winning streak midway through the season, including a 7-0 start in conference play for the first time since in school history.
Senior Gabe Marks was named the Offensive MVP for the second-straight season while senior Shalom Luani garnered Defensive MVP honors, also for the second-consecutive year. Marks became the Pac-12 Conference's all-time leading receiver with 316 career receptions. In 2016 Marks led WSU with 89 catches for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to repeating as an All-Pac-12 First Team honoree. Luani was pivotal to the Cougar defense, totaling 68 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, four interceptions and six pass break ups as he earned All-Pac-12 First-Team honors.
Senior Colton Teglovic was named the Special Teams MVP as he played on all four special team units and recorded eight tackles.
Junior guard Cody O'Connell received the Mike Utley Award, given to the offensive lineman of the year. O'Connell became WSU's second consensus All-American, sweeping first-team honors from all major outlets. Sophomore defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa was awarded the Leon Bender Award as the defensive lineman of the year. Mata'afa recorded 47 tackles, along with team-bests of 13.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks, as he garnered All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.
Junior linebacker Isaac Dotson was named the recipient of the Tim Petek Strongest Man Award. Dotson, who had played multiple positions his first three seasons, found a home at linebacker and had 64 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and two interceptions. Senior linebacker Parker Henry was awarded the Randal Simmons Award for the second-straight season, named in honor of the former Cougar and Los Angeles SWAT team member who was killed in the line of duty in 2008. While limited on the field, Henry was a tremendous leader and role model for the younger team members.
Wide receiver River Cracraft was named the recipient of the Laurie Niemi Award, given to the senior who best depicts the courage and attitude of former Cougar assistant coach Laurie Niemi. Despite missing the last three games of the season, Cracraft finished his WSU career second all-time with 218 receptions. Offensive guard Eduardo Middleton was given the Frank Butler Award, which goes to a senior member of the team who exemplifies the Cougar spirit made famous by Spokane booster Frank Butler. The Cougar Inspiration Award, known as the Fred Bohler Award, was presented to senior center Riley Sorenson for displaying the inspiration of former athletic director and head basketball coach Fred Bohler.
Junior running back Jamal Morrow was the recipient of the Captain's Award for Offense with junior linebacker Peyton Pelluer receiving the Captain's Award for Defense. Both awards are presented for showing exceptional leadership throughout the season.
Junior defensive lineman Nick Begg received the Cougar Academic Excellence Award while Scout Team Players of the Year were given to sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Comfort and sophomore wide receiver Brandon Arconado.
The Cougars ended their 2016 season with an 8-5 record and a second-straight bowl game for the first time since the 2002-03 seasons.
SENIOR AWARDS
Laurie Niemi Award (Cougar Courage and Attitude) – River Cracraft
Frank Butler Award (Cougar Spirit) – Eduardo Middleton
J. Fred Bohler Award (Cougar Inspiration) – Riley Sorenson
TEAM AWARDS
Team MVP - Luke Falk
Leon Bender Award (Defensive Lineman of the Year) – Hercules Mata'afa
Mike Utley Award (Offensive Lineman of the Year) – Cody O'Connell
Tim Petek Award (Strongest Man Award) – Isaac Dotson
Offensive Most Valuable Player - Gabe Marks
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Shalom Luani
Special Teams MVP – Colton Teglovic
Randal Simmons Award (Coaches Award) - Parker Henry
Offense Captain Award – Jamal Morrow
Defense Captain Award – Peyton Pelluer
Cougar Academic Excellence Award – Nick Begg
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Brandon Arconado
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Taylor Comfort
--wsucougars.com--