Dec. 12, 2011

Wide receiver Nelson Rosario and linebacker Patrick Larimore have been named the MVPs for the 2011 Bruin football season. Rosario was named the Offensive MVP, while Larimore took home Defensive MVP honors on Monday evening at the football team's annual awards banquet.

Rosario took home the offensive honors after an incredible senior season in which he hauled in 61 receptions for 1106 total yards. He averaged 18.1 yards per catch and scored four touchdowns for the Bruins. His longest reception of 76 yards came during a crucial drive in UCLA's upset win over Arizona State. Two of his catches were featured on Sportscenter as top plays of the day (vs. Houston and the touchdown grab at Oregon in the Pac-12 title game). Rosario ranks fifth all-time at UCLA in career catches (143) and receiving yards (2,307). He is fifth on the single season receiving yard list (1,106) and seventh in single season catches (61). He became the seventh Bruin to reach 1,000-receiving yards in a season and the 10th Bruin to top 2,000 career yards.

Larimore was honored as the Defensive MVP after a solid junior campaign in which he led the team in tackles with 81. He tallied 50 solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and one sack during the season. The highlight of his season came against the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game when he notched his first career interception and then returned it 35 yards for a Bruin touchdown. He also had a fumble recovery and six tackles in the Pac-12 title game.

Below is a list of all award winners from Monday night's banquet.

CHARLES PIKE MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS
Offense: Steven Manfro
Defense: Kevin McReynolds
Special Teams: Roosevelt Davis

JACK R ROBINSON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR HIGHEST SCHOLARSHIP BY A SENIOR
Sean Westgate

N.N. SUGARMAN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST LEADERSHIP
Offense: Kai Maiava
Defense: Patrick Larimore

CAPTAIN DON BROWN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Offense: Joseph Fauria
Defense: Andrew Abbott

JOHN BONCHEFF JR. MEMORIAL AWARD FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Eric Kendricks

Ed Kezirian "COACH K" AWARD FOR ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC BALANCE
Brett Hundley
Jacob Brendel

TOMMY PROTHRO AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER
Derrick Coleman
Jeff Locke

KENNETH S. WASHINGTON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SENIOR OF THE YEAR
Cory Harkey
Sean Westgate

PAUL I. WELLMAN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR ALL-AROUND EXCELLENCE
Derrick Coleman

JERRY LONG "HEART" AWARD
Cory Harkey

HENRY R. RED SANDERS AWARD FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Offense: Nelson Rosario
Defense: Patrick Larimore