The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 9 BY ANDREW VAILLIENCOURT T hree Michigan players and defen- sive coordinator Don Brown are either semifinalists or nominees for national awards that will be given out at the conclusion of the season. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation's defen- sive player of the year. Through 10 games, Hurst had 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. He is one of 18 semifinalists for the prestigious annual honor, which will be presented Dec. 7. Charles Woodson is the lone Mich- igan player to have ever won the award, doing so in 1997. Sophomore linebacker Devin Bush Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top linebacker every year. He is one of 15 semifinalists for the award, which will be given out Dec. 5. In 1991, linebacker Erick Anderson became the first and only Wolverine to win the award. According to the award's website, the winner is selected by a committee of 51 voters based on these criteria: "Toughness (playing through pain with a warrior mentality), on-field leadership (intimidating presence and respected tone-setter), com- petitiveness (passion, intensity and relentless effort), football character (work ethic, drive and determina- tion) and linebacking skills (instincts, tackling, striking, balance, knee bend, shedding, cover skills, blitzing)." Through 10 games, Bush had a team-high 82 tackles and eight passes broken up, plus nine tackles for loss with five sacks. The award is named after former Illinois and Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus. Redshirt freshman kicker Quinn Nordin has been named a semifinal- ist for the Lou Groza Award, which is annually given to the nation's top kicker. This season through 10 games, Nordin had made 14 of 19 field goals with a long of 55 yards. He joins In- diana fifth-year senior Griffin Oakes as the lone representatives from the Big Ten. Nordin is one of 20 semifinalists. The finalists will be announced Nov. 21 and the award will be given Dec. 4. Michigan has never had a Lou Groza Award winner. Brown is a nominee for the Broyles Award, which is given annually to the nation's top assistant coach. He is one of 56 nominees. The award will be given out Dec. 5. Michigan has had one prior win- ner, defensive coordinator Jim Her- rmann, in 1997 — the last time Michi- gan won a national title. Brown was a finalist for the award last season, but Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables won. Michigan through 10 games had the No. 3-ranked total defense in the country (254.8 yards allowed per game). ❏ Inside Michigan ATHLETICS Multiple Wolverines Are Up For National Awards Sophomore Devin Bush Jr. was among 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top linebacker PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN