USC football: Matt Barkley selected as team MVP
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Quarterback Matt Barkley was announced as USC’s most valuable player at the Trojans’ football awards banquet Monday night.
Barkley passed for 39 touchdowns, with seven interceptions, and helped lead the Trojans to a 10-2 record. He established school and conference records for touchdowns in a season.
Barkley had hoped to be among the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, but he was not among the five players announced Monday. They were: Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
Here is a list of USC team award winners:
Most Valuable Player: quarterback Matt Barkley
Most Inspirational Player: defensive tackle Christian Tupou
Leadership Award: fullback Rhett Ellison
Linemen of the Year: offensive tackle Matt Kalil, defensive end Nick Perry
Perimeter Players of the Year: wide receiver Robert Woods, safety T.J. McDonald
Special Teams Player of the Year: fullback Ross Cumming
Service Team Players of the Year: offensive guard Cyrus Hobbi, linebacker Anthony Sarao
Player of the Game versus Notre Dame: cornerback Nickell Robey
Player of the Game versus UCLA: wide receiver Marqise Lee
Jack Oakie “Rise and Shine” Award (year’s longest run): tailback Curtis McNeal (79 yards vs. Washington)
Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (overall academic achievement): linebacker Augusto Alonso
Bob Chandler Award (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): linebacker Hayes Pullard
John McKay Award (underclassman with the most competitive spirit): Robey
Joe Collins Walk-on Award: punter Kyle Negrete
Courage Award: tailback Curtis McNeal
Co-Lifters Award: Ellison, safety Jawanza Starling
--Gary Klein