The Nebraska football team recognized its 2015 team award winners on Sunday as part of its season banquet in Lincoln.
Head Coach Mike Riley thanked the players, coaches and staff for their efforts during the season and staff members handed out awards to a number of Huskers.
Senior fullback Andy Janovich earned three awards. A Gretna native, Janovich was a key part of the Nebraska offense and also the Huskers’ top special teams tackler. Janovich was presented the Tom Novak Trophy, one of the oldest Nebraska senior awards, dating back to 1950. The award is selected by a vote of media that cover Nebraska on a daily basis.
Janovich also received the Lunch Bucket Award for his work by the Husker staff. The award is presented to the player whom the coaching staff recognizes as being someone who is blue collar, gives the maximum effort in all phases of their life, never lets circumstances dictate their actions or behavior and whose actions always reflect the highest level of work ethic, dedication and determination.
Janovich was also recognized with Nebraska’s prestigious Lifter of the Year award for his dedication, work ethic and commitment in the weight room.
Senior defensive end Jack Gangwish was selected as the winner of the Guy Chamberlin Trophy. The award is voted on by the media and honors a senior player who has the qualities and dedication of the great Cornhusker tradition.
Senior center Ryne Reeves, a Crete native, received the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award. The Native Son Award is given annually to a senior who is a Nebraska native, and is named in honor of long-time Nebraska offensive line coach Cletus Fischer. Reeves also received the Pat Clare Award.
The Novak, Chamberlin and Native Son award winners will also be honored at the Outland Trophy ceremony in Omaha on Jan. 14.
Junior defensive end Greg McMullen and senior offensive lineman Zach Sterup were presented with the Husker Pride Award. The honor goes to a player who the coaching staff recognizes as being someone who has represented Nebraska football for all the right reasons, and has represented Nebraska both on and off the field in a first-class manner.
Sophomore linebacker Chris Weber was presented with the 2015 Walk-on of the Year Award. Weber made four starts and finished the season with 49 tackles.
Junior tight end Cethan Carter and junior defensive end Ross Dzuris were honored with Most Improved Player Awards. Carter increased his receptions total from six to 22 this season and earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades. Dzuris led the team with eight tackles for loss, after not playing in a game in 2014.
A pair of talented true freshmen earned the Newcomer-of-the-Year Award. Receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. caught 23 passes and was Nebraska’s leading kickoff returner, while linebacker Dedrick Young started 11 games and is fourth on the team with 58 tackles.
Seven Huskers earned Scout Team MVP honors. The Scout Team Defensive MVPs were defensive end Alex Davisand defensive back Reid Karel. On offense, receiver Christian Bailey and offensive lineman Jalin Barnett were recognized, while Jacob Weinmaster, Alex Boryca and Avery Anderson were honored for their Special Teams scout work.
Award Winners
Scout Team Defensive MVP: Alex Davis, Reid Karel
Scout Team Offensive MVP: Christian Bailey, Jalin Barnett
Scout Team Special Teams MVP: Jacob Weinmaster, Avery Anderson, Alex Boryca
Walk-on of the Year Award: Chris Weber
Most Improved Player: Cethan Carter, Ross Dzuris
Newcomer of the Year Award: Stanley Morgan Jr., Dedrick Young
Pat Clare Award: Ryne Reeves
The Tom Novak Trophy: Andy Janovich
Guy Chamberlin Trophy: Jack Gangwish
Cletus Fischer Native Son Award: Ryne Reeves
Lunch Bucket Award: Andy Janovich
Lifter of the Year: Andy Janovich
Husker Pride Award: Zach Sterup, Greg McMullen