As the remains of the Apple Cup and the Civil War lay behind us, we look back on the season that was. The hopes and dreams in Eugene, Seattle and Corvallis, and the games that saw them smashed along the way. Now it is that time to honor those who played above the rest.
Quarterback:
Pac-12 MVP: Sean Mannion-Oregon State Beavers
Mannion started the year putting up obscene numbers and never really stopped. He led the Pac-12 in passing yards with 4,403, passing touchdowns with 36, and had the second highest completion percentage behind Brett Hundley of UCLA. While Mariota did a great deal for Oregon, without him Oregon is still a great team. Without Mannion, Oregon State finishes below .500.
Runner-Ups: Taylor Kelly-Arizona State, Marcus Mariota-Oregon
Running Back:
Pac-12 MVP: Ka'Deem Carey-Arizona Wildcats
Carey was an unstoppable workhorse all season for the Wildcats, rushing for a league high 1,716 yards. Nothing showed his tenacity like his 48-carry, 206-yard rushing performance in Arizona's demolition of Oregon. He scored a touchdown in every game but two this season and never finished with less than 119 yards.
Runner-Up: Bishop Sankey-Washington
Wide Receiver:
Pac-12 MVP: Brandin Cooks-Oregon State Beavers
The season started with a multiple man race for the best pro prospect at receiver in the Pac-12. By the middle of the season, it was between Cooks and Marquise Lee of USC. By the end, Cooks had put up video game numbers and run away with the title. 37 more receptions than the next closest player (there was a larger gap between Cooks and second-place Paul Richardson of Colorado then between Richardson and the 16th place player). 327 more yards. Four more touchdowns. No questions left at all.
Runner-Up: Paul Richardson-Colorado
Defensive Line:
Pac-12 MVP: Trevor Reilly-Utah Utes
Reilly did everything Utah needed him to do and more, finishing with eight and a half sacks and an even 100 tackles from his defensive end spot. His 16 tackles for a loss were the second best amongst defensive linemen.
Runner-Up: Hau'oli Kikaha-Washington
Linebacker:
Pac-12 MVP: TIE Anthony Barr-UCLA Bruins and Trent Murphy-Stanford Cardinal
Barr and Murphy were neck-and-neck for the best defensive player in the Pac-12 all season long. Barr won the tackles for loss category 20 to 19.5. Murphy had three more sacks with his 13 to Barr's 10. Both were a disruptive presence in the opposing backfield throughout the year and leaders on the field.
Runner-Up: Carl Bradford-Arizona State
Defensive Back:
Pac-12 MVP: Deone Buchanan-Washington State Cougars
Buchanan was a flurry of action for the Cougars, a bright spot in the season for the Cougars in Pullman. He led all players in the Pac-12 with 109 tackles, including 74 solo tackles from the cornerback spot. He tied for second in the Pac-12 with five interceptions and tied for third with three forced fumbles. Buchanan did it all for Washington State.
Runner-Up: Rashaad Reynolds-Oregon State
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