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BATON ROUGE -- Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and running back Jacob Hester were named recipients of the 2007 Charles McClendon Most Valuable Player Award on Sunday as LSU held its annual football banquet.

The Tigers, who were honored on Sunday night in front of a packed room at the Holiday Inn Select, are ranked No. 2 in the nation and have an overall mark of 11-2. This year’s team spent four weeks as the nation’s No. 1 ranked team and also recorded double-figure wins for an unprecedented third straight season.

Dorsey, who is the most decorated defensive player in school history, won numerous national awards this year in helping the Tigers claim the Southeastern Conference title as well as advancing to the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

Dorsey, who won a total of four national awards – the Lombardi, Outland, Lott and Nagurski – is the key component of an LSU defense that is rated No. 3 in the nation in terms of yards allowed. In 13 games, Dorsey racked up 64 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses and six sacks.

Hester, a senior from Shreveport, was the backbone of the Tiger offense, leading the team with 1,017 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hester rushed for 120 yards in LSU’s 21-14 win over Tennessee and he was also named the national offensive player of the week for his effort in the Tigers’ 28-24 victory over Florida earlier this season.

Senior quarterback Matt Flynn was named the winner of the Percy Roberts Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while senior safety Craig Steltz was the honored with the Percy Roberts Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.

Flynn directed an LSU offense that set the school record for points scored with 503 so far this year. The Tigers are also averaging a school-record 38.7 points per game. In 11 games, Flynn has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Steltz, a finalist for the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, earned numerous first-team All-America honors in 2007. Steltz leads the Tigers with 97 tackles and he’s first in the SEC with six interceptions.

Permanent team captains were also announced on Sunday with Hester and Flynn serving for the offense, Dorsey and Steltz for the defense and punter Patrick Fisher on special teams.

Other honors handed out on Sunday include: R.J. Jackson with the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for his play on special teams; Keith Zinger, Luke Sanders, and Carnell Stewart with the Unsung Hero Award; Mit Cole and Sean Gaudet with the Academic Award; Shawn Jordan Early Doucet and Sanders with the Alvin Roy Strength and Conditioning Award; Chevis Jackson, Brett Helms, and Jonathan Zenon with the Butch Duhe Award for character; and Ali Highsmith and Pittman with the George M. Wallace Award for defensive production points.

2007 LSU Football Awards

Charles McClendon Most Valuable Player – DT Glenn Dorsey and RB Jacob Hester
Percy Roberts Most Outstanding Offensive Player – QB Matt Flynn
Percy Roberts Most Outstanding Defensive Player – S Craig Steltz
Permanent Offensive Captains – QB Matt Flynn and RB Jacob Hester
Permanent Defensive Captains – DT Glenn Dorsey and S Craig Steltz
George M. Wallace Award – LB Ali Highsmith and DE Kirston Pittman
Butch Duhe Award – CB Chevis Jackson, C Brett Helms, CB Jonathan Zenon
Alvin Roy Strength and Conditioning Award – FB Shawn Jordan, WR Early Doucet, LB Luke Sanders
Academic Award – TE Mit Cole and PK Sean Gaudet
Unsung Hero Award – TE Keith Zinger, LB Luke Sanders, OT Carnell Stewart
Wild Tiger Championship Trophy – WR R.J. Jackson
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LSU Athletics

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