Dec. 14, 2006

USC senior All-American wide receiver Steve Smith, who leads USC in receiving with 64 catches for 975 yards and 8 touchdowns, was named the Most Valuable Player of the Rose Bowl-bound Trojan football team at the annual awards banquet Thursday night (Dec. 14) at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

Two-time All-Pac-10 first team center Ryan Kalil won USC's Most Inspirational Player Award. He also received USC's Offensive Lineman of the Year Award with 2-time All-American tackle Sam Baker.

Junior defensive end Lawrence Jackson won USC's Defensive Linemen of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Sophomore linebackers Kaluka Maiava and Clay Matthews were USC's Co-Special Teams Players of the Year (it was Maiava's second consecutive honor).

A complete list of the awards:
Most Valuable Player: wide receiver Steve Smith
Co-Most Inspirational Players: center Ryan Kalil
Linemen of the Year: center Ryan Kalil and offensive tackle Sam Baker (offense), defensive end Lawrence Jackson (defense)
Co-Special Teams Players of the Year: linebackers Kaluka Maiava and Clay Matthews
Service Team Players of the Year: wide receiver David Ausberrry (offense), defensive tackle Alex Parsons (defense)
Player of the Game versus Notre Dame: wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett
Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award (best hit of the year): safety Kevin Ellison (on California's DeSean Jackson)
Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (for overall academic achievement): tight end Nick Vanderboom
Bob Chandler Award (for the underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): linebacker Keith Rivers
John McKay Award (for the underclassman with the most competitive spirit): linebacker Brian Cushing
Courage Award: tailback Desmond Reed
Co-Lifters Award: offensive tackle Sam Baker, linebacker Oscar Lua
Team Captains: quarterback John David Booty, center Ryan Kalil, linebackers Dallas Sartz and Oscar Lua