Football Team Honors Graduating Class and Award Winners

Huskers Honor Graduating Class and Award Winners
The 2007 Cornhusker Football Team honored the twenty-nine graduating players Saturday the 8th, at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. In addition to the honored seniors, eight awards were handed out to Husker players as well.

The winners of this years offensive, defensive, and special teams MVP awards were Maurice Purify, Steve Octavien and Ricky Thenarse, respectively. The offensive scout team player of the year was Zac Lee, the second consecutive quarterback to receive the award, with the defensive scout team player of the year being defensive end Thomas Rice.

In addition to these MVP awards, three additional Nebraska seniors were honored as the winners of the Chamberlin trophy, Novak trophy and Fischer Native Son Award, which was chosen by the coaching staff.

Purify received the offensive MVP award after a strong season, highlighted by his last three games. Purify finished the season with 57 catches for 814 yards and 9 touchdowns. The 57 catches and 9 touchdowns were both good enough for second all-time at Nebraska, while his 814 yards placed third. Purify finished his 2007 season with 158 yards and 3 touchdowns against Kansas, 108 yards against Kansas State, and 136 yards and 3 touchdowns against Colorado.

Steve Octavien rebounded to lead the Huskers defense this season after two injury-plagued seasons prior. He had team highs in tackles with 92, tackles for loss with 15, and quarterback hurries with 9.

Ricky Thenarse won the special teams MVP award for the second straight year. Thenarse excelled in all areas of special teams, while also playing a role in the secondary.

Senior cornerback Cortney Grixby was the recipient of this year's Tom Novak Trophy. The Novak Trophy is presented to the senior who “best exemplifies courage and determination despite all odds in the manner of Nebraska All-America center Tom Novak.

Senior linebacker Bo Ruud received the Guy Chamberlin Trophy, which is presented annually to the senior player who has shown by the play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football squad that he has the qualities and dedication of Guy Chamberlin to the great Cornhusker tradition. Ruud's award marks the second time a member of the Ruud family has received the Chamberlin Trophy, with his older brother Barret receiving it in 2007.

The Huskers’ third senior award, the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award, was presented to safety Ben Eisenhart, a native of Culbertson. The award is presented annually to the senior player selected by the Husker coaches, who best exemplifies the following qualities: good work ethic, competitiveness, leadership, forthrightness, sense of humor, pride, loyalty and love of Nebraska.