Wootton named Northwestern's MVP

The Northwestern Gridiron Network hosted the football team's annual banquet on Saturday afternoon and junior defensive end Corey Wootton earned the team's MVP award. That makes sense since he was the only Wildcat to receive first- or second-team all-Big Ten recognition.

In total, 16 Wildcats received awards at the shindig:

NGN Newcomers of the Year: Center Ben Burkett (r-Fr.), cornerback Jordan Mabin (r-Fr.) and special-teams savant Jeravin Matthews (Fr.)

Rashidi Wheeler Award (best representing Wheeler's spirit and enthusiasm: Senior WR Rasheed Ward.

George W. Ballantine Award (enthusiasm and leadership): Senior DE Kevin Mims.

Thomas Airth Spirit Award: Senior WR Ross Lane.

Carnig Minasian Citizenship Award: Senior OLB Mike Dinard.

Randy Walker Wildcat Warrior Awards: Senior LG Keegan Kennedy, senior DT John Gill and sophomore DT Corbin Bryant.

Marcel Price Award (symbolic of the desire shown by "Big Six"): Junior S Brad Phillips.

Bryan Paynter "Ultimate Wildcat" Award (player who "serves as an example by confronting adversity with courage and dedication and always putting the needs of the team first"): Senior RB Tyrell Sutton.

Co-captains: Senior QB C.J. Bacher, senior OLB Prince Kwateng, senior WR Eric Peterman and junior S Brendan Smith.

After wrapping up finals, the Wildcats return to the practice field Sunday. They'll also go Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and next Saturday before leaving for San Antonio on Dec. 22.

NOTE: If you want to hang with the 'Cats before they leave, there's an Alamo Bowl party from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night at Pinstripes in Northbrook. For $30 per person (and please bring a lightly used toy as well), you can bowl and bocce with the fellas.

LW