Utah State defensive lineman Ben Crosland was selected as the Big West Conference defensive player of the year, and Utah State's John L. Smith was picked as coach of the year, the league announced Tuesday.
Nevada quarterback John Dutton was named Big West Conference offensive player of the year for the second straight season. The selections were made by the league's head coaches.Crosland, a senior, finished the year with 88 tackles, 54 of them solo, from his defensive end position. He ranked fourth in the conference in sacks with nine and led the league in tackles for losses with 14.
Smith, hired Monday as Louisville's new coach, led the Aggies to their second straight Big West championship. Utah State will play in the inaugural Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 29 in Boise.
Dutton, a senior, completed 225-of-367 passes for 3,526 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is ranked sixth in the country in passing efficiency.
In addition to Crosland, seven other Aggies were named to the first-team, with 11 on the second-team and three on the honorable mention squad.
Joining Crosland on the first-team are wide receiver Nakia Jenkins, offensive linemen Mark Rommel and Mauricio Jourdan, running back Demario Brown, linebacker Tony DUAmato, safety Johndale Carty, and return specialist Steve Smith.
Named to the second-team for Utah State are offensive linemen Ken Watts, Mike Lindsay, and Brandon Dyson, quarterback Matt Sauk, running back Melvin Blue, defensive linemen John Latu and Caleb Smith, linebacker Todd Sofonia, cornerbacks Vashon Garmon and Bashir Levingston, and punter Jerry Arquello.
Honorable mention selections for Utah State are wide receiver Steve Smith, tight end Guillermo Chavez, and safety Donald Dicko.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All -Big West football team
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) - Here is the All-Big West Conference football team as selected by the league's head coaches and announced Tuesday:
First Team Offense
QB-John Dutton, Sr., Nevada; RB-Denvis Manns, Jr., New Mexico State; RB-Demario Brown, Soph., Utah State; WR-Geoff Noisy, Jr., Nevada; WR-Antonio Wilson, Sr., Idaho; WR-Nakia Jenkins, Sr., Utah State; TE-Darin Higgins, Soph., Nevada; OL-Mike Edwards, Sr., Nevada; OL-Jermaine Belin, Jr., Boise State; OL-Phillip Armour, Jr., North Texas; OL-Mark Rommel, Sr., Utah State; OL-Mauricio Jourdan, Sr., Utah State; PK-Garrett Courtney, Jr., North Texas.
First Team Defense
DL-James Cannida, Sr., Nevada; DL-Tim Wilson, Sr., Idaho; DL-Scott Blank, Jr., North Texas; DT-Ben Crosland, Sr., Utah State; OLB-DeShone Myles, Sr., Nevada; OLB-James Durrough, Soph., Idaho; ILB-Benny Cherry, Sr., North Texas; ILB-Tony D'Amato, Jr., Utah State; CB-Arnold Gunn, Sr., Idaho; CB-Don Morgan, Jr., Nevada; S-Johndale Carty, Jr., Utah State; S-Reggie Mitchell, Jr., Nevada.
Specialists
PK-Garrett Courtney, Jr., North Texas; P-John Baker, Soph., North Texas; Return specialist-Steve Smith, Sr., Utah State.
Second Team Offense
QB-Matt Sauk, Sr., Utah State; RB-Chris Lemon, Soph., Nevada; RB-Melvin Blue, Jr., Utah State; WR-Duane Gregory, Sr., New Mexico State; WR-Trevor Insley, Soph., Nevada; WR-Rodney Smith, Jr., Boise State; TE-Jeff Pankratz, Sr., Idaho; OL-Crosby Tajan, Sr., Idaho; OL-Jason Sadler, Sr., Nevada; OL-Wade Platz, Sr., Nevada; OL-Ken Watts, Jr., Utah State; OL-Mike Lindsay, Soph., Utah State; OL-Brandon Dyson, Sr., Utah State.
Second Team Defense
DL-Jon Rydman, Soph., Boise State; DL-Tim Engelhardt, Soph., New Mexico State; DL-John Latu, Sr., Utah State; DL-Caleb Smith, Soph., Utah State; DL-Enrique Ramirez, Sr., New Mexico State; OLB-Todd Sofonia, Sr., Utah State; ILB-Bryan Johnson, Soph., Boise State; ILB-Ryan Skinner, Jr., Idaho; CB-Vashon Garmon, Soph., Utah State; CB-Bashir Levingston, Jr., Utah State; S-Jeff Davis, Jr., Boise State; S-Greg Bearman, Sr., New Mexico State; S-Bryson Gardner, Soph., Idaho.
Second Team Specialists
PK-Todd Belcastro, Jr., Boise State; P-Mike O'Neal, Jr., Idaho; P-Jerry Arguello, Jr., Utah State; Return specialist-Broderick McGrew, Soph., North Texas.
Players of the Year
Offense-John Dutton, QB, Nevada; Defense-Ben Crosland, DL, Utah State.
Big West Coach of the Year
John L. Smith, Utah State.