UW held its annual football awards banquet tonight in downtown Seattle. Here is the list of winners:

Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim

101 Club Academic Award
Robert Lukevich

Team MVP Award
D’Andre Goodwin (Offense)
Mason Foster (Defense)

Sports Radio 950 KJR Players of the Year
D’Andre Goodwin (Offense)
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (Defense)
Chris Stevens (Special Teams)

KING-TV Most Improved Player
Michael Gottlieb (Offense)
Donald Butler and Nate Williams (Defense)

John P. Angel Lineman of the Year
Juan Garcia (Offense)
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (Defense)

L. Wait Rising Lineman of the Year
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim

Earle T. Glant Tough Husky
Paul Homer

Chuck Niemi Big Hit Award
Johnie Kirton

Tyee Sports Council Community Service Award
Desmond Davis

Bob Jarvis Offensive Scout Squad MVP
Gregory Christine

Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad MVP
Greg Walker

Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout Squad MVP
Adam Long

Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman
Jermaine Kearse (Offense)
Everrette Thompson (Defense)

Husky Fever 12th Man Award
Ronnie Fouch (Offense)
Chris Stevens (Defense)

Academic Excellence Award
Ryan Perkins

Captains Award
Juan Garcia, Michael Gottlieb, Johnie Kirton, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim

Kurt P. Gegner Memorial Award
Stan McDonald (Equipment Room Staff)
Kyle Shoun (Video Operations Staff)

My annual season-ending take on the state of UW football ran in the Wednesday paper, looking ahead to Steve Sarkisian's first team and on what was left in the cupboard from Ty Willingham.

For blog purposes, here are what I consider two key paragraphs. This one, which reminds that most Pac-10 coaches -- even the successful ones -- rare make a huge win-loss difference in their first season:

Among the top current Pacific-10 Conference coaches, Jeff Tedford is the exception, lifting California from one win to seven in his first season. Pete Carroll bumped USC only from five wins to six. Oregon’s Mike Bellotti inherited a nine-win team and won nine games in his first season. Oregon State’s Mike Riley inherited an eight-win team and won eight games. Arizona’s Mike Stoops took over a two-win team, nudged it forward to three wins in his first season, and didn’t get the Wildcats to a bowl until this season – his fifth.

And this one, which is kind of my bottom line as of now:

If the 2009 season started today, the Huskies would be favored in two games: home dates against Idaho and Washington State.

As currently planned, Sarkisian will face Louisiana State in his first game, and USC in his third. The schedule goes on to include all the other Pac-10 teams, plus a trip to Notre Dame: 12 games in 12 weeks.

Athletic director Scott Woodward said that could be tweaked. But no change short of membership in the Western Athletic Conference is going to present Sarkisian with anything but a steady diet of teams more talented than his own.

Willingham’s Huskies peaked at five wins. If Sarkisian can manage that in his first season, Woodward and president Mark Emmert will look like geniuses.

And you guys? Any early thoughts on what would constitute an appropriate and encouraging first season for the new staff?

Prize UW basketball recruit Abdul Gaddy scored 27 points last night as Bellarmine opened its season with a loss to Mount Tahoma.

Here's the game story from TNT reporter Doug Pacey.