Matt Barkley Named USC MVP
December 05, 2011 | Football
Dec. 5, 2011
USC junior quarterback Matt Barkley, who set USC season records for touchdown passes and completion percentage, was named the Most Valuable Player of the Trojan football team at the annual awards banquet Monday (Dec. 5) at USC's Tutor Campus Center Ballroom.
Barkley, a 3-year starter, also set 4 USC game records in 2011: completions (35 vs. UCLA), pass yardage (468 vs. Arizona), TD passes (6 vs. Colorado and UCLA) and total offense (470 vs. Arizona).
Senior defensive tackle Christian Tupou won USC's Most Inspirational Player Award, while senior fullback Rhett Ellison won the Leadership Award. Junior offensive tackle Matt Kalil and junior defensive end Nick Perry were presented with USC's Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year Awards, respectively. Sophomore wide receiver Robert Woods and junior safety T.J. McDonald were USC's Offensive and Defensive Perimeter Players of the Year, respectively. Senior fullback Ross Cumming won the Special Teams Player of the Year Award.
A complete list of the 2011 awards:
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 (offense), defensive end Nick Perry (defense)
Perimeter Players of the Year: wide receiver Robert Woods (offense), safety T.J. McDonald (defense)
Special Teams Player of the Year: fullback Ross Cumming
Service Team Players of the Year: offensive guard Cyrus Hobbi (offense), linebacker Anthony Sarao (defense)
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): cornerback Nickell Robey
Joe Collins Walk-on Award: punter Kyle Negrete
Courage Award: tailback Curtis McNeal
Co-Lifters Award: fullback Rhett Ellison, safety Jawanza Starling
Team Captains: quarterback Matt Barkley, fullback Rhett Ellison, safety T.J. McDonald, defensive tackle Christian Tupou
