DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team held its 2011 banquet on Sunday afternoon at The Detroit Yacht Club. Head coach Paul Winters concluded his eighth season by announcing several individual team honors.

Senior running back Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) shared the 2011 Offensive Most Valuable Player award with senior wide receiver Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.).  Renel was second on the squad in both rushing (1,353 yards and 14 touchdowns) and receiving (24 catches), while leading the squad with 2,336 all-purpose yards.  Burrell had 87 receptions for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns.  The first two marks are school records, with the 15 TD catches being tied-for-second in a season.

Senior safety Jeremy Jones (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford) was voted the Defensive Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.  He led WSU in solo tackles (73), total tackles (106), interceptions (9), interception return yards (196) and quarterback hurries (4), was second in tackles for loss (12.5), and third in both sacks (6.5) and pass break-ups (5).  Jones' nine picks led the GLIAC and was tied for second in the NCAA.

Sophomore Austin Nelson (Haslett, Mich.) was selected as WSU's 2011 Special Teams Most Valuable Player.  He led the squad in total special teams tackles with 17 (11 solo, 6 assisted), while playing all four special teams (kickoff coverage, kickoff return, punt coverage and punt return) in most games.  Nelson recovered WSU's squib kickoff at Minnesota-Duluth that led to a field goal and a 24-11 lead over the defending national champions.

Senior defensive end Jon Robinson (Livonia, Mich./Churchill) was the recipient of the 2011 Ron Solack Memorial "35" Award.  A fifth-year player for the Warriors, Robinson played in 46 of 49 career games totaling 90 tackles including 19 for loss.  A three-time GLIAC All-Academic team selection, he earned academic honor roll accolades in eight of his nine semesters at WSU.  During the 2011 campaign, Robinson led all WSU defensive linemen with 50 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss.  The first football jersey ever retired at Wayne State University is the number 35 last worn by Ron Solack.  Ron died of post-surgery complications in 1968, on the eve of the opening of the new Wayne State University Stadium.  Ron wore his Wayne State uniform with unmatched pride and played the game with enthusiasm.  He would have been a senior member of the 1969 team.  An award was instituted in his name in 1969 and has been presented every year since.

Renel was presented the Randy Guzowski Award, which goes to the individual who has demonstrated team leadership and shown exemplary school and community citizenship, for the second straight season. Guzowski won three letters as a WSU football player and spent 15 years on the WSU Police Force. Renel earned his fourth varsity letter in 2011. He was a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America selection, as well as recipient of the 2011 GLIAC's Jack McAvoy Award which is presented annually to the GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

The WSU Offensive Rookie of the Year award went to redshirt freshman center Thom Box (Milan, Mich.).  He started 10 of Wayne State's first 12 games, and came back from an injury in the first playoff game to play in the national championship game.  WSU rushed for over 200 yards per game in 2011, finished ninth nationally in fewest sacks allowed (0.94 per game) and 23rd in scoring offense (34.4 ppg).  A GLIAC All-Academic Team selection, Box also helped pave the way for two 1,000-yard rushers during the 2011 season.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year award recipient was redshirt freshman cornerback Gerren DuHart (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic).  He played in 15 contests, starting the final eight games including all five post-season contests.  DuHart finished the year with 42 tackles, four pass break-ups and an interception in the national championship game.  One of his pass break-ups came on a fourth down play in the national semifinal contest at Winston-Salem State.

Two awards were created in 2005 by the coaching staff. The Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes the football student-athlete with strong academic credentials, while the Ultimate Warrior is for the football student-athlete who did outstanding work in the weight room.

Burrell earned the Scholar-Athlete Award after starting all 16 games as a senior.  A four-time GLIAC All-Academic Team selection, he finished his career with a reception in 47 of 49 games played, concluding his career with a 38-game reception streak.  Burrell earned academic honor roll status all nine semesters and ended his career with a school-record 187 receptions.

The team's 2011 Ultimate Warrior award went to junior defensive tackle Zach Houghton (Haslett, Mich.).  He started all 16 games on the defensive line and made a season-high five tackles (1-4) in the national championship game including a half-tackle for loss.

A new award instituted this past off-season is the Courtney "Cortez" Smith Award for the WSU football student-athlete who best exemplifies what Smith stood for - "It's all about Character."  The inaugural recipient of the Cortez Smith Award was senior wide receiver Troy Burrell, who not only led the squad on the field, in the classroom but is also very active in the community.