Illinois football team awards
By: Matt Wettersten
Updated: December 9, 2012
U of I release:
CHAMPAIGN,
Ill. - The Fighting Illini football team, families and friends gathered
to honor 20 seniors and the season's award winners at the 111th annual
football banquet Saturday at the Memorial Stadium Colonnades Club.
The 20 seniors honored by head coach Tim Beckman and the Illini coaching staff were Zach
Becker, Michael Buchanan, Tommy Davis, Glenn Foster, Justin
Green, James Hallendorff, Terry Hawthorne, Sean McGushin, Kaeman
Mitchell, Patrick Nixon-Youman, Zak Pedersen, Graham Pocic, Jack Ramsey,
Tyler Sands, Supo Sanni, Justin Staples, Beau Sullivan, Hugh Thornton,
Eddie Viliunas and Ashante Williams.
The following are the Illini award winners from the 2012 Illinois Football Banquet:
Outstanding Offensive Player: Graham Pocic, center
Pocic
anchored the offensive line for the last three seasons, making 36
starts, mostly at center. He also saw some time at guard and tackle in
2012 and
throughout his career. Pocic was two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten
performer in 2010 and this season.
Outstanding Defensive Player: Michael Buchanan, defensive end
Buchanan was a two-time
second team All-Big Ten performer in 2011 and 2012. He led the team in
sacks this season with 4.5 and also had 57 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, five PBUs,
five hurries, one interception and one forced
fumble. For his career, he racked up 161 tackles, 26.0 TFLs, 14.0 sacks
and 10 passes defended.
Outstanding Special Teams Player: Justin Green, defensive back
Green was a three-year
starter at cornerback for the Illini, and also came up big in all four
special teams phases this season, playing on coverage and return units
for both kicks and punts. He had a long return
of 43 yards against Purdue in his last game at Memorial Stadium.
2012 Team Captains (voted by players): Graham Pocic, center, Ashante Williams, star
Illinois Point Awards (based off season production points)
Offensive Skill (QB/WR): Ryan Lankford, wide receiver
Offensive Big Skill (TE/RB/FB): Donovonn Young, running back
Offensive Line: Hugh Thornton, offensive tackle
Defensive Skill (CB/S): Terry Hawthorne, cornerback
Defensive Big Skill (LB/Star): Mason Monheim, linebacker
Defensive Line: Michael Buchanan, defensive end
Specialists (K/P/LS): Zak Pedersen, long snapper
Special Teams (return/coverage): Ashante Williams, star
Wright Commitment to Excellence Award: Zach Becker, fullback/tight end
The Wright Commitment to
Excellence Award is presented each year to a senior who has exemplified
persistence in the face of obstacles to achieve success. Becker joined
the team in 2008 as a walk-on and made an immediate
impact, playing in 11 games and scoring a touchdown at Wisconsin. He
played in 12 games in 2009 and earned a scholarship heading into 2010,
but was limited to only three games that season due to injury. Becker
returned to the field in 2011, but broke his leg
in the second game and missed the rest of the season. After months of
hard ward and dedication, Becker bounced back stronger than ever in
2012, playing in all 12 games. With all of this going on, Becker always
got it done in the classroom. He was a three-time
All-Big Ten selection and two-time winner of the team's Scholar-Athlete
Award, and is on track to graduate later this month.
Bruce Capel Award: Eddie Viliunas, tight end
The Bruce Capel Award is
given to the Illini player who displays the most courage, dedication and
accomplishment throughout the season. Viliunas joined the team in 2008
as a walk-on quarterback. He was moved to
tight end during the 2009 season and first saw the field in 2010, mostly
as a blocker in two tight end sets. He became a big contributor to the
passing game in 2011 and 2012, with 12 catches for 127 yards and two
touchdowns, while remaining one of the team's
most reliable blockers and leaders. He is on track to graduate later
this month.
Scholar-Athlete Award: Nathan Scheelhaase, quarterback
Service Above Self Award: Zak Pedersen, long snapper
Illini Warrior Effort Award (Weight Room): Ashante Williams, star
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year: LaKeith Walls, running back
Defensive Scout Team Players of the Year: Beau Sullivan, linebacker, and T.J. Neal, linebacker
Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year: Davontay Kwaaning, defensive back
