EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire football team has announced the team award winners from the 2012 season.

Named the team's Offensive MVP was Joel Sweeney (Jr.-Tomah, Wis.). Sweeney led the entire conference with 122.3 yards rushing per game. He carried the ball 264 times and accumulated 13 touchdowns to lead the team and WIAC in touchdowns. Sweeney currently ranks seventh in rushing yards in a career for the Blugolds with 2,853 and eighth in rushing attempts with 634. This season, Sweeney was named to the first team All-WIAC on offense while in 2010 he was selected to the second team. He was also selected to the D3football.com All-West Region team this year. In 2010, Sweeney was also named the Blugolds' Co-Offensive MVP.

Sean Graham (Jr.-Hales Corners, Wis./Whitnall) and Tyler Janus (Sr.-Sussex, Wis./Hamilton) shared Defensive MVP honors.

Graham led the Blugolds in tackling this season with 63 (44 solos, 19 assists), tied for 18th most in the WIAC, and also had a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss. He recorded one sack and recovered three fumbles, tied for the most in the conference. This season, Graham earned second team All-WIAC defensive honors while being honorably mentioned in 2011. Graham was named the team's Newcomer of the Year on defense in 2011.

Janus was second on the team with 61 tackles (50 solos, 11 assists), which ranked 20th best in the conference. He led the team with three interceptions and forced one fumble. This season, Janus was selected to the All-WIAC second team defense.

Receiving Special Teams MVP recognition was Scott Burzynski (Jr.-Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd). He provided excellent coverage on the punt and kick teams and made some key tackles throughout the year.

Selected as the Offensive Newcomer of the Year was Cody Gerver (So.-Mahtomedi, Minn.). He was third on the team this year with 218 receiving yards, averaging 12.1 yards per catch with 18 total receptions. He scored four receiving touchdowns, second most on the team.

Collin Hustad (So.-Fridley, Minn./Totino Grace) was named the team's Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Hustad finished the season with 34 tackles, tied for seventh most on the team.

Tra Ross (Fr.-Quincy, Calif.) earned the Special Teams Newcomer of the Year award. Ross returned kickoffs and led the team with 200 yards and 12 returns, averaging 16.7 yards per return. He ranked ninth in the conference in kick return average.

-KM-