Bobcats Garner Awards
11/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
honors on Monday, two more were honored as league players of the week, and the program
handed out its own awards on the heels of MSU's first Big Sky Championship since 1984.
All-conference kudos began up front for the Bobcats, where offensive linemen Brent Swaggert
and Mataio Toilolo and defensive end Jon Montoya, all juniors, earned first team honors for
the first time. Receiver Junior Adams and running back Ryan Johnson also earned first team
selections on offense, while linebacker Roger Cooper and safety Kane Ioane joined them on
defense.
Most coaches recognize that a team that wins a conference championship has probably
benefited from outstanding offensive line play, MSU Head Coach Mike Kramer said. Brent
Swaggert is one of the outstanding linemen in Division I-AA, and Mataio Toilolo has emerged
as a dominant force for us this year. I'm happy for Ryan Johnson and Junior Adams, who have
had outstanding careers, and the three defensive all-conference underclassmen portend well for
our future, as well as our present.
True freshman quarterback Travis Lulay was named the Big Sky's Co-Newcomer of the Year,
with Eastern Washington senior quarterback Josh Blankenship.
Six Bobcat players also earned second team all-league honors. Receiver Aaron Hill, center
Nic Stevenson, defensive tackles Jason Nicastro and Ray Sebestyen, end Adam Cordeiro,
and linebacker David Smith earned second team accolades. Guard Mike Quast, quarterback
Travis Lulay, fullback Ryan Elliott, linebacker Isaac Gardner, safety Kenneth Qualls and
punter Nate Cook were honorable mention selections.
A pair of Bobcats also earned national and league honors on Monday. Johnson was named as
a finalist for the Walter Payton Trophy for the second straight year, while Kramer was named
a finalist for the Eddie Robinson I-AA Coach of the Year Award.
Adams was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, while
cornerback Joey Thomas was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. Adams
caught eight passes for 117 yards and MSU's decisive touchdown in the win over Montana,
while Thomas blocked a Grizzly field goal, which helped preserve MSU's win.
The Bobcat football program also honored its own at the team's annual banquet. Adams wasnamed the team's Sonny Holland Offensive Player of the Year, Jon Montoya and Kane Ioanewere named Bill Kollar Co-Defensive Player of the Year honorees. Willy Jacobson and DustyDaws earned Jan Stenerud Kick Teams Co-Players of the Year, while Jon Montoya andBrian Choi were named Don Hass Iron Tumbleweed Most Inspirational Players. In addition,former Booster Director Patty Kicker, play-by-play voice Dean Alexander, former footballsecretary Nikki Reavely and football equipment manager Derek Krueger received OutstandingContribution to Bobcat Football awards.
handed out its own awards on the heels of MSU's first Big Sky Championship since 1984.
All-conference kudos began up front for the Bobcats, where offensive linemen Brent Swaggert
and Mataio Toilolo and defensive end Jon Montoya, all juniors, earned first team honors for
the first time. Receiver Junior Adams and running back Ryan Johnson also earned first team
selections on offense, while linebacker Roger Cooper and safety Kane Ioane joined them on
defense.
Most coaches recognize that a team that wins a conference championship has probably
benefited from outstanding offensive line play, MSU Head Coach Mike Kramer said. Brent
Swaggert is one of the outstanding linemen in Division I-AA, and Mataio Toilolo has emerged
as a dominant force for us this year. I'm happy for Ryan Johnson and Junior Adams, who have
had outstanding careers, and the three defensive all-conference underclassmen portend well for
our future, as well as our present.
True freshman quarterback Travis Lulay was named the Big Sky's Co-Newcomer of the Year,
with Eastern Washington senior quarterback Josh Blankenship.
Six Bobcat players also earned second team all-league honors. Receiver Aaron Hill, center
Nic Stevenson, defensive tackles Jason Nicastro and Ray Sebestyen, end Adam Cordeiro,
and linebacker David Smith earned second team accolades. Guard Mike Quast, quarterback
Travis Lulay, fullback Ryan Elliott, linebacker Isaac Gardner, safety Kenneth Qualls and
punter Nate Cook were honorable mention selections.
A pair of Bobcats also earned national and league honors on Monday. Johnson was named as
a finalist for the Walter Payton Trophy for the second straight year, while Kramer was named
a finalist for the Eddie Robinson I-AA Coach of the Year Award.
Adams was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, while
cornerback Joey Thomas was named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. Adams
caught eight passes for 117 yards and MSU's decisive touchdown in the win over Montana,
while Thomas blocked a Grizzly field goal, which helped preserve MSU's win.
The Bobcat football program also honored its own at the team's annual banquet. Adams wasnamed the team's Sonny Holland Offensive Player of the Year, Jon Montoya and Kane Ioanewere named Bill Kollar Co-Defensive Player of the Year honorees. Willy Jacobson and DustyDaws earned Jan Stenerud Kick Teams Co-Players of the Year, while Jon Montoya andBrian Choi were named Don Hass Iron Tumbleweed Most Inspirational Players. In addition,former Booster Director Patty Kicker, play-by-play voice Dean Alexander, former footballsecretary Nikki Reavely and football equipment manager Derek Krueger received OutstandingContribution to Bobcat Football awards.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
