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The University of Montana Grizzly football team awards were presented by fifth-year coach Bobby Hauck at the annual banquet held last Sunday at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Running back Lex Hilliard was selected as the recipient of the Steve Carlson Award, given annually to Montana's Most Valuable Player. So far this season, Hilliard, a senior from Kalispell, has rushed for 1,013 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games.

Hilliard was also the co-recipient of the Terry Dillon Award, sharing it with senior wide receiver Ryan Bagley. The Dillon Award goes to UM's Outstanding Back or Receiver. Bagley, a senior from Great Falls, has a team-high 46 catches for 692 yards and six touchdowns. He was injured in the Idaho State game on Nov. 10 and is out for the season. Hilliard also won the Carlson and Dillon awards in 2005.

Senior defensive end Kroy Biermann was presented UM's Larry Miller Award, given annually to the team's Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Biermann, a 6-3, 238-pounder from Hardin, has a team-high 17.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks and was recently named the Big Sky's Defensive Player of the Year.

Cody Balogh, a 6-7, 320-pound senior offensive tackle from Steilacoom, Wash., was named the recipient of the Paul Weskamp Award, given to Montana's Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Balogh has started all 11 games this year and has started in 40 games in a row.

Senior strong safety Colt Anderson was voted the winner of the Golden Helmet Award, which goes to the team's Hardest Hitter. Anderson, a 5-10, 190-pounder from Butte, was recently named a first team all-league selection for the second year in a row. He is the Grizzlies' fourth leading tackler with 75 stops and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions.

Kyle Ryan, a senior linebacker from Billings, and Kalispell's Brandon Dwyer shared the Tony Barbour Award, given to the UM player(s) who “best represents team values and best exemplify Griz football.” Ryan, a 6-3, 225-pound senior, is Montana's third leading tackler with 80 stops and has received the Barbour Award the past two seasons. Dwyer is a 5-10, 198-pound senior cornerback and a standout on UM's special teams.

Hilliard, who missed last season after suffering an Achilles injury in 2006 fall camp, was named the winner of the Pat Norwood Award, given to UM's Most Inspirational Player.

Balogh, Biermann, Hilliard, and Ryan were all presented UM's Team Captain Awards.

Three Griz redshirt freshmen were chosen Outstanding Scout Team players of the year: Lyle Brown on offense and Ryan Fetherston and Braydon Schilling on defense.

Hauck said that Montana's Outstanding Special Teams Player(s) Award will be presented at a later date.

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