Cajuns Hold 2011 Football Awards Banquet

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns football program held it's annual football awards banquet, presenting the team with their 2011 New Orleans Bowl championship rings Sunday afternoon in the Cajundome.

The UL Football staff and team welcomed over 500 guest for its annual football awards banquet Sunday afternoon. The staff honored Co-MVPs on offense and defense. New Orleans Bowl MVP Blane Gautier and Ladarius Green were voted Offensive Co-MVPs, and Lance Kelley and Dwight Bentley garnering Defensive Co-MVP awards.



The presentation of the team MVP awards, which were each presented by notable Cajun alumni Jake Delhomme, Brian Mitchell, Clarence Glenn and Chris Gannon culminating an evening of honors for the members of the 2011 UL football team.

Gautier, a junior quarterback from Paulina, La., earned the honor after throwing for a school-record 2,958 yards and 23 touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Year accolades from the Louisiana Sport's Writers Association.



Green, a senior tight end from Pensacola, Fla., earned first team All-Sun Belt honors last fall after catching 51 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns. A December graduate with a degree in finance, he is considered one of the top tight ends available in the this week’s NFL Draft (April 26-28).



Kelley, a senior from Lafayette, made the move from playing in the secondary as a junior and thrived, earning first team All-Sun Belt honors after leading the team with 118 tackles, the sixth-highest total in school history.

Bentley was the leader in the UL secondary, making 71 tackles while starting in every game. A first team All-Sun Belt choice, he intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns.

Baer, a junior from Brandon, Miss., was a second team All-Sun Belt choice as both a punter and placekicker. He led the nation in field goal percentage, making 18 of 20 kicks, including two game-winning kicks as time expired during the year.

ESPN 1420 sports personality Scott Pratter emceed Sunday's event.

A complete listing of the team awards follows:

2011 Football Awards

MVP (Offense): Blane Gautier & Ladarius Green
MVP (Defense): Lance Kelley & Dwight "Bill" Bentley
MVP (Special Teams): Brett Baer
Captains Award: Brad McGuire & Ladarius Green (Offense), Devon Lewis & Derrick Dean (Defense)
Scout Team Player of the Year (Offense): Effrem Reed
Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense): Christian Sager
Brian Mitchell Special Forces Special Team Player of the Year: Nick Barnfield
Newcomer of the Year (Offense): Alonzo Harris
Newcomer of the Year (Defense): Jemarlous Moten
Off-Season Training Award: Ross Goodlet
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Bernard Smith
Linebacker of the Year: Lance Kelley
Defensive Back of the Year: Lionel Stokes
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Daniel Quave
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Javone Lawson
Utility Player of the Year (All-Purpose): Darryl Surgent
Big Hit Award: Melvin White
Hardy Edmiston Sportsmanship Award: Harry Peoples
Robert Trahan Exceptional Award: Chris Masson
Awardmasters Academic Excellence: Andre Huval
Gridiron Alumni Blue Collar Award: Chris Tucker (Defense), Tyrell Gaddies (Defense) & Kyle Plouhar (Offense)