Griz dole out more awards

Hilliard, Dwyer receive honors

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA - Defensive end Kroy Biermann and running back Lex Hilliard have been voted by their University of Montana teammates as the co-recipients of the Steve Carlson Award, given annually to The University of Montana's Most Valuable Player.

UM announced last week that Hilliard won the award by himself, but retracted the information on Friday - saying the MVP as well as the Special Teams Player of the Year will be announced at the conclusion of the season.

Dan Carpenter, Brandon Dwyer and Andrew Schmidt were chosen as the Special Teams Player(s) of the Year on a recent vote by the Griz team.

A 6-foot-3, 241-pound senior from Hardin, Biermann was recently named the Big Sky Conference MVP on defense, was first team all-league, and is a finalist for the Football Championship Subdivision's (I-AA) Buck Buchanan Award. This past season Biermann had 72 tackles and was among the FCS national leaders with 18 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and five forced fumbles. Biermann's 45 1/2 career stops for losses and 32 career sacks are the second most in school history.

Despite battling injuries this year, Hilliard - a 6-1, 235-pound senior from Kalispell - rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 1,132 rushing yards are the sixth most in single-season history at Montana. He was named all-conference in 2007 for the third time in his career. Hilliard set school records with 52 total touchdowns (50 rushing and two receiving), and his 4,018 career rushing yards are the second most ever at UM. Hilliard also won the Pat Norwood Award, given annually to UM's most inspirational player, and was a co-recipient of the Terry Dillon Award with receiver Ryan Bagley. The Dillon Award goes to the team's most outstanding back or receiver.

Carpenter, from Helena, made 19 of 23 field goals and 44 of 45 PATs this season, and was a first team All-Big Sky selection. The 6-2, 207-pound senior set FCS and Griz records by scoring 413 career points and kicking 75 career field goals.

A 5-10, 198-pound senior cornerback from Kalispell, Dwyer was a standout on several special teams for the Grizzlies. He also won the Tony Barbour Award, given annually to the player(s) who best represent team values and best exemplify Griz football.

From Bozeman, Schmidt is a 6-1, 215-pound junior halfback who also excelled on special teams. He played in all 12 games for the 11-1 Grizzlies and rushed 12 times for 58 yards.