To the Victors, the Spoils
11/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Led by Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP Kane Ioane, seven Bobcat football players earned First Team All-Big Sky honors and 20 earned some sort of all-conference kudos, as announced by the Big Sky Conference Office on Monday.
Ioane became Montana State's first defensive MVP since Corey Widmer in 1990 and only the third Bobcat so honored in league history (Mark Fellows was defensive MVP in 1984). He registered 130 tackles this year, second in the Big Sky, and also had a sack, an interception, and two pass breakups. Ioane was named First Team All-Big Sky for the second straight year.
"This is an outstanding honor for a very deserving player," MSU coach Mike Kramer said of the senior safety from Billings. "Kane has been the linchpin to our defense for four years. He's played consistently at an extremely high level."
Four of Ioane's defensive mates also earned first team honors. Junior tackle Ray Sebestyen (San Diego), sophomore linebacker Mac Mollohan (Kalispell), junior linebacker Roger Cooper (Port Orchard, WA), and senior cornerback Joey Thomas (Seattle) each earned first team honors. Sebestyen had 54 tackles, eight for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Mollohan was fourth on the team with 59 tackles, nine for a loss. Cooper had 87 tackles, second on the team, with a forced fumble and one recovered. Thomas was second in the league with 13 passes defended, including three picks and 10 pass breakups.
Bobcat offensive tackle Brent Swaggert, a senior from Buffalo, Minn., was MSU's only first team offensive selection. Swaggert has started all 47 of his games as a Bobcat, and has blocked for over 20 100-yard rushing games. Spectacular return man Corey Smith was named first team return specialist after setting Big Sky records for punts returned for touchdowns in a season and career.
Smith was also named The Sports Network Division I-AA Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as Big Sky player of the week, for returning the opening kickoff of Saturday's 'Cat-Griz game 90 yards for a touchdown. That return spurred MSU to a 27-20 win over the Grizzlies and a Big Sky title. It was his second national player of the week honor this season, and he leads the nation in kickoff return yards.
MSU second team all-conference selections: senior receiver Scott Turnquist, senior guard Mataio Toilolo, sophomore quarterback Travis Lulay, senior fullback Ryan Elliott, senior defensive tackle Adam Cordeiro, senior end Jon Montoya, senior cornerback Jay Hackett, and senior safety Kenneth Qualls.
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky players: freshman tackle Joe Hirst, junior tight end Blake Wolf, senior running back Bruce Molock, and freshman end Clive Lowe.
Ioane became Montana State's first defensive MVP since Corey Widmer in 1990 and only the third Bobcat so honored in league history (Mark Fellows was defensive MVP in 1984). He registered 130 tackles this year, second in the Big Sky, and also had a sack, an interception, and two pass breakups. Ioane was named First Team All-Big Sky for the second straight year.
"This is an outstanding honor for a very deserving player," MSU coach Mike Kramer said of the senior safety from Billings. "Kane has been the linchpin to our defense for four years. He's played consistently at an extremely high level."
Four of Ioane's defensive mates also earned first team honors. Junior tackle Ray Sebestyen (San Diego), sophomore linebacker Mac Mollohan (Kalispell), junior linebacker Roger Cooper (Port Orchard, WA), and senior cornerback Joey Thomas (Seattle) each earned first team honors. Sebestyen had 54 tackles, eight for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Mollohan was fourth on the team with 59 tackles, nine for a loss. Cooper had 87 tackles, second on the team, with a forced fumble and one recovered. Thomas was second in the league with 13 passes defended, including three picks and 10 pass breakups.
Bobcat offensive tackle Brent Swaggert, a senior from Buffalo, Minn., was MSU's only first team offensive selection. Swaggert has started all 47 of his games as a Bobcat, and has blocked for over 20 100-yard rushing games. Spectacular return man Corey Smith was named first team return specialist after setting Big Sky records for punts returned for touchdowns in a season and career.
Smith was also named The Sports Network Division I-AA Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as Big Sky player of the week, for returning the opening kickoff of Saturday's 'Cat-Griz game 90 yards for a touchdown. That return spurred MSU to a 27-20 win over the Grizzlies and a Big Sky title. It was his second national player of the week honor this season, and he leads the nation in kickoff return yards.
MSU second team all-conference selections: senior receiver Scott Turnquist, senior guard Mataio Toilolo, sophomore quarterback Travis Lulay, senior fullback Ryan Elliott, senior defensive tackle Adam Cordeiro, senior end Jon Montoya, senior cornerback Jay Hackett, and senior safety Kenneth Qualls.
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky players: freshman tackle Joe Hirst, junior tight end Blake Wolf, senior running back Bruce Molock, and freshman end Clive Lowe.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
