Nevada football team hands out team awards

RENO, Nev. - Junior quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award at the 2008 Nevada Football Awards Banquet held Wednesday evening at the Eldorado Hotel. Kaepernick also won the award last season and is the first back-to-back winner of the Golden Helmet in Nevada's FBS history.

Junior running back Vai Taua was named the Outstanding Offensive Player while senior safety Jonathon Amaya was named the Outstanding Defensive Player. Sophomore Brett Roy was named the Outstanding Special Teams Player.

Senior center Kenneth Ackerman and senior running back Luke Lippincott were the Nevadatude Award winners as the best representatives of the program's beliefs and ideals.

The awards were based on voting from the players.

Nevada (8-4 overall, 7-1 WAC) is preparing for its fifth consecutive bowl appearance as it will take on SMU in the Sheraton Hawai`i Bowl on Dec. 24.

The following is a full list of the awards handed out tonight:

Golden Helmet Award (MVP)

Colin Kaepernick, juinior quarterback

Outstanding Offensive Player

Vai Taua, junior running back

Outstanding Defensive Player

Jonathon Amaya, senior safety

Outstanding Special Teams Player

Brett Roy, sophomore

Nevadatude Award (best representative of the beliefs and ideals of the program)

Kenneth Ackerman, senior center, and Luke Lippincott, senior running back.

Basalite Big Blocker (given the offensive lineman who grades out the best in victories)

UNLV: Mike Gallett, junior tackle.

Louisiana Tech: Kenneth Ackerman, senior center.

Utah State: Chris Barker, redshirt freshman guard.

Idaho: John Bender, junior guard.

Hawaii: Alonzo Durham, senior tackle.

San Jose State: Steve Haley, redshirt freshman tackle.

Fresno State: Alonzo Durham, senior tackle.

New Mexico State: Kenneth Ackerman, senior center.

Blackout Award (big hitter)

Sophomore defensive lineman Brett Roy

Full-speed, Effort and Habit Awards (scout team players of the year)

Offense: Joel Bitonio, offensive lineman

Defense: Seann Reed, junior linebacker

Striker Awards (dominating play over a period of time)

Kenneth Ackerman, senior center

Jonathon Amaya, senior safety

John Bender, junior offensive lineman

Mike Bethea, senior linebacker

Alonzo Durham, senior offensive lineman

Virgil Green, junior tight end

Luke Lippincott, senior running back

Dontay Moch, junior defensive end

Vai Taua, junior running back

Fireman's Award

Steve Haley, sophomore offensive lineman