Senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, 16, and senior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr., 85, celebrate Burbridge's touchdown in the first half during the game against Air Force on Sept. 19, 2015 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 35-21.
The MSU football team had its team banquet on Sunday and honored its graduating seniors who will leave MSU as one of the most successful senior classes in program history. The 2016 senior class leaves MSU with two Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl win, a win in the 2016 Cotton Bowl over Baylor, a 3-1 record against the University of Michigan and a record of 42-11 through the past four seasons.
Here is a look at the award winners
Governor’s Award (Most Valuable Player): Wide Receiver Aaron Burbridge - After ranking fifth on the team in receiving yards during the 2014-15 season, Burbridge up his production and stepped up to fill the void left by Tony Lippett, who led MSU that season with 65 catches for 1,198 yards. Not only did Burbridge fill the void, he produced even better numbers than Lippett as he reeled in a Big Ten-best and MSU single-season record 85 catches for a Big Ten-best 1,258 yards during the 2015-16 season en route to being named the 2015 Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year and a first team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media.
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Offense: Quarterback Connor Cook - After leading MSU to a 17-16 win in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Cook found himself as the number two quarterback behind then-senior Andrew Maxwell entering the 2013 season. After Maxwell struggled during week one, Cook was named the starter in week two against the University of South Florida and never looked back. Cook went on to become one of the all-time greatest quarterbacks in MSU history, as he finished his career having completed 57.5 percent of his passes for an MSU record 9,194 yards and an MSU record 71 touchdowns. Cook led MSU to two Big Ten championships as a sophomore and senior, while winning MSU its first Rose Bowl since 1988 in 2013.
This past season, Cook finished completing 56 percent of his passes for 3,131 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Cook became the first MSU quarterback to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation's top college quarterback. Cook also became the first Spartan quarterback to win the Greise-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award since it was created in 2011 and the first Spartan quarterback to be named first team All-Big Ten since Steve Juday in 1965.
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Defense: Defensive End Shilique Calhoun - Last season Calhoun was named second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten, winning both honors for the third consecutive season after posting a career-high 10.5 sacks, career-high 15 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hurries, leading the team in all three categories. Calhoun burst onto the scene in 2013, as he scored three defensive touchdowns in the team's first two games of the season. He was widely-regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the country. Calhoun appeared in a team-high 41 games to close out his MSU career and helped lead MSU to its second Big Ten title in three years.
Downtown Coaches Club Award - Outstanding Senior Special Teams: Snapper Taybor Pepper
President's Award (Senior Lineman/Senior Back Perseverance)
Offense: Tight End Paul Lang
Defense: Cornerback Arjen Colquhoun
Up Front Award (Outstanding Lineman)
Offense: Center Jack Allen
Defense: Defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas
Biggie Munn Award (Most Inspirational)
Offense: Center Jack Allen
Defense: Linebacker Riley Bullough
Clarence Underwood (Sportsmanship Award)
Offense: Offensive Guard Donavon Clark
Defense: Defensive Tackle Joel Heath
MSU Football Players Association Community Service Award: Tight end Josiah Price
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Outstanding Underclass Lineman
Offense: Offensive Tackle Jack Conklin
Defense: Defensive Tackle Malik McDowell
Outstanding Underclass Back
Offense: running back LJ Scott and Tailback Gerald Holmes
Defense: Safety Demetrious Cox
Jim Adams Award (Unsung Heroes)
Offense: Fullback Trevon Pendleton
Defense: Linebacker Chris Frey
Tommy Love Award (Most Improved)
Offense: Offensive lineman Benny McGowan
Defense: Linebacker Jon Reschke
Iron Man Award: Linebacker Darien Harris
Potsy Ross (Scholar-Athlete): Quarterback Tommy Vento
Captains Award: Jack Allen, Shilique Calhoun, Darien Harris
Danziger Award (Outstanding Detroit Area Player): Aaron Burbridge and Lawrence Thomas
Doug Weaver Oil Can (Team Humorist): Riley Bullough
Cowing Award (Senior Manager Award): Dan Kalchik
Con Demos Scholarship (Manager): Dan Kalchik
