Bobcat Trio Lands First Team All-Conference Honors
11/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
A pair of Bobcats crucial to Montana State leading the league in rushing and fewest sacks allowed, and one of the most productive defensive players in the league earned First Team All-Big Sky Honors for MSU on Tuesday.
Demetrius Crawford, Lou Saucedo and Kevin Retoriano earned first team all-league honors for MSU.
Senior running back Demetrius Crawford from Fairfield, Calif., finished second in the Big Sky in rushing, and closed his Bobcat career with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. His 1,314 rushing yards stands as the fifth-best in Bobcat history, and his 2,182 career yards is MSU's seventh-best mark. Crawford also compiled 2,967 career all-purpose yards, eighth-best in MSU history.
"Demetrius is a special player," said MSU coach Rob Ash. "His tenacity and passion on every play was evident, I think, throughout the league. He is an unselfish, team-first player, and I believe his impact on this program lasts far beyond this year."
Saucedo, a senior offensive tackle from Long Beach, Calif., staged a remarkable comeback in 2008. After missing 2007 due to academics, Saucedo returned to the Bobcat program in the summer, only to move from guard to tackle. Even so, he managed to earn first team all-league honors. "Lou is a tremendous story of perseverance," Ash said. "He worked extremely hard, and made a tremendous impact on our program."
Retoriano, a safety from San Diego, registered two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, and also recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. "Kevin had an outstanding season, he impacted all aspects of our defense," Ash said. "He made significant contributions on special teams, as well."
A pair of Bobcat defenders whose seasons were altered by injury earned second team honors. Bobby Daly, a first team choice last year who led the Big Sky in tackles as a sophomore and junior, earned second team honors after playing the latter half of the season with a hip injury. Dane Fletcher's season was ended after nine games by a knee injury, and he was named second team compiling one of the best defensive statistical profiles in the league.
Offensive guard Jeff Hansen also earned second team honors, his second straight year with that distinction. True freshman kicker Jason Cunningham also earned second team honors.
A full list is available below...
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Year - Cameron Higgins, QB, Weber State
Defensive Player of the Year - Greg Peach, DE, Eastern Washington
Newcomer of the Year – Deonte Williams, RB, Northern Arizona
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receivers: Tony Washington, Sr., Sacramento State; Tim Toone, Jr., Weber State; Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
Tackles: Paul Carpenter, Sr., Weber State; Lou Saucedo, Sr., Montana State
Guards : Colin Dow, Sr., Montana; Lawaia Naihe, Sr., Weber State
Center: Kyle Mutcher, Jr. Weber State
Tight end: *Ryan Chelsa, Sr., Northern Colorado
Quarterback: Cameron Higgins, So., Weber State
Running Backs: Demetrius Crawford, Sr., Montana State; #@Trevyn Smith, Jr., Weber State
Fullback: *Marcus Mailei, Sr., Weber State
Place kicker: Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona
Return Specialist: Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
*Two-Time Selection, #Three-Time Selection, @Unanimous Selection
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Tackles: *Bryce Scanlon, Sr., Weber State; Steve Nwogbe, Sr., Northern Arizona
Ends: *Greg Peach, Sr., Eastern Washington; Kevin Linehan, Jr., Weber State
Outside Linebackers: *Mike Brannon, Sr., Sacramento State; J.D. Folsom, LB, Weber State
Inside Linebackers: *Cyrus Mulitalo, Sr., Sacramento State; Cristian Sarmento, Sr., Northern Colorado
Cornerbacks: *KJ Gerard, Sr., Northern Arizona; Josh Morris, Jr., Weber State
Safeties: Kevin Retoriano, Jr., Montana State; #@Colt Anderson, Sr., Montana; Beau Hadley, Jr., Weber State
Punter: Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona
FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams : Kenyon Blue, Sr., Idaho State
First-Team Breakdown by Team
Eastern Washington 1
Idaho State 1
Montana 4 (counting Mariani at two positions)
Montana State 3
Northern Arizona 4 (counting Dehaze at two positions)
Northern Colorado 2
Sacramento State 3
Weber State 12
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receivers: Aaron Boyce, Jr., Eastern Washington; Eddie Thompson, Sr., Idaho State; Brynsen Brown, Jr., Eastern Washington
Tackles: Levi Horn, Jr., Montana; Brent Russum, Sr., Montana
Guards: Jeff Hansen, Jr., Montana State; J.C. Oram, Fr., Weber State
Center: J.D. Quinn, Sr., Montana
Tight end: Cody Nakamura, Jr., Weber State
Quarterback: Cole Bergquist, Sr., Montana
Running Backs: Chase Reynolds, So., Montana; Bryan Hilliard, So., Sacramento State
Fullback: Alexis Alexander, Sr., Eastern Washington
Place kicker: Jason Cunningham, Fr., Montana State; Felipe Macias, Sr., Eastern Washington
Return Specialist Aaron Woods, Jr., Portland State
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Tackles: Lance Witherspoon, Sr., Eastern Washington
Craig Mettler, Sr., Montana
Ends: Dane Fletcher, Jr., Montana State; Jason Belford, Sr., Eastern Washington
Outside Linebackers: Ryan Phipps, Sr., Idaho State; Cody Dowd, Jr., Northern Arizona
Inside Linebackers: Bobby Daly, Sr., Montana State; Andy Schantz, Sr., Portland State
Cornerbacks: Deshawn Shead, Fr., Portland State; D.J. Clark, Sr., Idaho State
Safeties: Shann Schillinger, Jr., Montana; Adam Wright, Sr., Northern Arizona
Punter: Fritz Brayton, Sr., Eastern Washington
SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams Tom Martin, Sr., Montana
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
Wide receivers –Desean Thomas, Montana State
Tackles –Mike Person, Montana State
Tight end –Brandon Bostick, Montana State
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
Outside Linebackers –Chase Gazzerro, Montana State; Jeff Price, Montana State
Cornerback – Ramon Lewis, Montana State
Punters – Erik Fisher, Montana State
Demetrius Crawford, Lou Saucedo and Kevin Retoriano earned first team all-league honors for MSU.
Senior running back Demetrius Crawford from Fairfield, Calif., finished second in the Big Sky in rushing, and closed his Bobcat career with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. His 1,314 rushing yards stands as the fifth-best in Bobcat history, and his 2,182 career yards is MSU's seventh-best mark. Crawford also compiled 2,967 career all-purpose yards, eighth-best in MSU history.
"Demetrius is a special player," said MSU coach Rob Ash. "His tenacity and passion on every play was evident, I think, throughout the league. He is an unselfish, team-first player, and I believe his impact on this program lasts far beyond this year."
Saucedo, a senior offensive tackle from Long Beach, Calif., staged a remarkable comeback in 2008. After missing 2007 due to academics, Saucedo returned to the Bobcat program in the summer, only to move from guard to tackle. Even so, he managed to earn first team all-league honors. "Lou is a tremendous story of perseverance," Ash said. "He worked extremely hard, and made a tremendous impact on our program."
Retoriano, a safety from San Diego, registered two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, and also recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. "Kevin had an outstanding season, he impacted all aspects of our defense," Ash said. "He made significant contributions on special teams, as well."
A pair of Bobcat defenders whose seasons were altered by injury earned second team honors. Bobby Daly, a first team choice last year who led the Big Sky in tackles as a sophomore and junior, earned second team honors after playing the latter half of the season with a hip injury. Dane Fletcher's season was ended after nine games by a knee injury, and he was named second team compiling one of the best defensive statistical profiles in the league.
Offensive guard Jeff Hansen also earned second team honors, his second straight year with that distinction. True freshman kicker Jason Cunningham also earned second team honors.
A full list is available below...
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Year - Cameron Higgins, QB, Weber State
Defensive Player of the Year - Greg Peach, DE, Eastern Washington
Newcomer of the Year – Deonte Williams, RB, Northern Arizona
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receivers: Tony Washington, Sr., Sacramento State; Tim Toone, Jr., Weber State; Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
Tackles: Paul Carpenter, Sr., Weber State; Lou Saucedo, Sr., Montana State
Guards : Colin Dow, Sr., Montana; Lawaia Naihe, Sr., Weber State
Center: Kyle Mutcher, Jr. Weber State
Tight end: *Ryan Chelsa, Sr., Northern Colorado
Quarterback: Cameron Higgins, So., Weber State
Running Backs: Demetrius Crawford, Sr., Montana State; #@Trevyn Smith, Jr., Weber State
Fullback: *Marcus Mailei, Sr., Weber State
Place kicker: Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona
Return Specialist: Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
*Two-Time Selection, #Three-Time Selection, @Unanimous Selection
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Tackles: *Bryce Scanlon, Sr., Weber State; Steve Nwogbe, Sr., Northern Arizona
Ends: *Greg Peach, Sr., Eastern Washington; Kevin Linehan, Jr., Weber State
Outside Linebackers: *Mike Brannon, Sr., Sacramento State; J.D. Folsom, LB, Weber State
Inside Linebackers: *Cyrus Mulitalo, Sr., Sacramento State; Cristian Sarmento, Sr., Northern Colorado
Cornerbacks: *KJ Gerard, Sr., Northern Arizona; Josh Morris, Jr., Weber State
Safeties: Kevin Retoriano, Jr., Montana State; #@Colt Anderson, Sr., Montana; Beau Hadley, Jr., Weber State
Punter: Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona
FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams : Kenyon Blue, Sr., Idaho State
First-Team Breakdown by Team
Eastern Washington 1
Idaho State 1
Montana 4 (counting Mariani at two positions)
Montana State 3
Northern Arizona 4 (counting Dehaze at two positions)
Northern Colorado 2
Sacramento State 3
Weber State 12
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Wide Receivers: Aaron Boyce, Jr., Eastern Washington; Eddie Thompson, Sr., Idaho State; Brynsen Brown, Jr., Eastern Washington
Tackles: Levi Horn, Jr., Montana; Brent Russum, Sr., Montana
Guards: Jeff Hansen, Jr., Montana State; J.C. Oram, Fr., Weber State
Center: J.D. Quinn, Sr., Montana
Tight end: Cody Nakamura, Jr., Weber State
Quarterback: Cole Bergquist, Sr., Montana
Running Backs: Chase Reynolds, So., Montana; Bryan Hilliard, So., Sacramento State
Fullback: Alexis Alexander, Sr., Eastern Washington
Place kicker: Jason Cunningham, Fr., Montana State; Felipe Macias, Sr., Eastern Washington
Return Specialist Aaron Woods, Jr., Portland State
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Tackles: Lance Witherspoon, Sr., Eastern Washington
Craig Mettler, Sr., Montana
Ends: Dane Fletcher, Jr., Montana State; Jason Belford, Sr., Eastern Washington
Outside Linebackers: Ryan Phipps, Sr., Idaho State; Cody Dowd, Jr., Northern Arizona
Inside Linebackers: Bobby Daly, Sr., Montana State; Andy Schantz, Sr., Portland State
Cornerbacks: Deshawn Shead, Fr., Portland State; D.J. Clark, Sr., Idaho State
Safeties: Shann Schillinger, Jr., Montana; Adam Wright, Sr., Northern Arizona
Punter: Fritz Brayton, Sr., Eastern Washington
SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
Special Teams Tom Martin, Sr., Montana
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
Wide receivers –Desean Thomas, Montana State
Tackles –Mike Person, Montana State
Tight end –Brandon Bostick, Montana State
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
Outside Linebackers –Chase Gazzerro, Montana State; Jeff Price, Montana State
Cornerback – Ramon Lewis, Montana State
Punters – Erik Fisher, Montana State
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