Southeastern’s Bennett Named Southland Football Player of the Year

11/26/2013 2:02:52 PM

Southland Conference

FRISCO, Texas – After claiming its first Southland Conference championship in 2013, Southeastern Louisiana has dominated the All-Southland Conference football teams that were announced Tuesday by the conference office.

The Lions led all teams with 16 all-conference selections, placing eight players on the first team and six on the second team. Another 11 Southeastern players landed on the honorable mention list. Headlining the list of Lions is junior quarterback Bryan Bennett, who was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. Lions’ senior linebacker Cqulin Hubert was named conference defensive player of the year, while Ron Roberts was named the coach of the year.

The other individual award winners are McNeese State quarterback Cody Stroud, who was named the offensive player of the year, and right guard Arinze Agaada, who was named the offensive lineman of the year; Lamar running back Kade Harrington, who was the freshman of the year; and, Northwestern State quarterback Zach Adkins, who was named the conference newcomer of the year.

Bennett, a dual-threat quarterback and finalist for the Walter Payton Award, is the first Lion to win conference player of the year honors. The junior from Granada Hills, Calif., has thrown for 2,610 yards and 18 touchdowns and has run for another 934 yards and 14 touchdowns, accounting for 3,544 total yards and an average of 295.3 yards per game, which ranks 12th in the nation. Bennett leads the conference in passing efficiency with a 157.0 rating, which ranks sixth in the FCS. He has completed 171 of 275 passes and thrown nine touchdowns in averaging 217.5 yards per game. His 15.26 yards per completions paces the Southland and ranks fifth nationally. Bennett, a transfer from Oregon, has run the ball 152 times and averages 6.1 yards per carry and 77.8 yards per game. He has scored 84 points this season. He is responsible for 192 points this season, and the 16.0 points per game he is responsible for ranks 17th in the FCS. He has rushed for 100 or more yards four times this season and has thrown for 300 or more yards twice. His 14 rushing touchdowns tied the school record, which was set by Horace Belton in 1974. He ran for a season-high 142 yards in a 58-31 victory at Central Arkansas and passed for a season-high 337 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-14 home win over Stephen F. Austin. He ran for a season-high three touchdowns in the season opener against Southeast Missouri.

Hubert is the first Southeastern player to be named the best defensive player in the league. The senior from Houston, Texas, has made a team-high 42 solo tackles and his 66 total tackles ranks second on the team. He has made nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage and has three sacks for losses of 16 yards. His lone interception of the season came in a 34-31 victory at Samford. Additionally, Hubert added two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and blocked a kick in a win at Central Arkansas.

Roberts picked up his first coach of the year honor after leading the Lions to a perfect 7-0 record in conference play to earn the school’s first Southland Conference championship. It was the school’s first conference title since winning the Gulf States Conference championship in 1961. The Lions are 10-2 this season and after earning the league’s automatic berth into the FCS Playoffs earned the No. 4 national seed and a first-round bye. In his second season in Hammond, the Lions are 15-8 overall, but are 13-2 in league play. Southeastern finished third last year behind co-champions Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State at 5-2, but were 5-6 overall. When he arrived after the 2011 season, Roberts inherited a program that had won just two conference games in its previous two seasons and had only one winning record since it joined the Southland in 2005.

Stroud is the sixth McNeese player to be named the league’s offensive player of the year and the first since Toddrick Pendland won the honor in 2008. The senior from Montgomery, La., has thrown for 2,680 yards and 27 touchdowns, completing 193 of 330 passes with just five interceptions. His passing efficiency rating is 150.7, which ranks 14th in the FCS. His touchdown passes rank fourth in the league, and 10th in the nation and his yardage total ranks 23rd. Stroud’s 13.89 yards per completion ranks third in the league and 13th nationally. Stroud topped 300 passing yards twice this season, including a season best 366 yards in a win over West Alabama and 333 yards in a road win at Stephen F. Austin. He threw a season-high five touchdowns against West Alabama and had four against the Lumberjacks. He threw at least one touchdown every game this season and threw at least two touchdowns eight times.

Agada is the first McNeese State player to be named offensive lineman of the year, which is in its second year. He received the most votes among all offensive linemen on the all-conference ballot. Agada, a senior from Houston, Texas, has been an anchor on the right side of the line helping the Cowboys average 463.4 yards of total offense per game. He has helped block for the conference’s leading rusher Marcus Wiltz, who averaged 105.1 yards per game, and has helped protect for Stroud, who threw for 2,680 yards and 27 touchdowns. The offensive line gave up only 14 sacks this season.

Harrington is the first Lamar player to be named freshman of the year. A running back from Kingwood, Texas, closed out his first season with 880 rushing yards, which is the most in school history by a freshman. The total is the most in school history by any player since Doug Matthews totaled 881 yards in 1972. He carried the ball 180 times and scored eight touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 73.3 yards per game. He also added 48 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Cardinals with 1,256 all-purpose yards, an average of 104.7 yards per game. He ran for a touchdown in each of his last four games, including two in a 56-34 victory over Nicholls. He also recorded his only two-touchdown receiving game against the Colonels. Harrington had three 100-yard rushing games, including a season high 143 yards against Bacone College. He ran for 100 yards against Southeastern and 105 against Stephen F. Austin. He also ran for touchdowns in the season opener against Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Adkins is Northwestern State fourth player to be named the league’s newcomer of the year and is the first since Jamall Johnson earned the honor in 2003. The junior quarterback from Riverside, Calif., transferred from Riverside City College. In his first season with the Demons, he set single-season school records for passing yards, touchdown passes and completion percentage. Adkins completed 247 of 382 passes for 2,725 yards and 21 touchdowns. His completion percentage of 64.7 ranked 23rd in the FCS, while his yardage total ranked 20th nationally. His yardage total broke Scott Stoker’s 1988 record of 2,393 and his touchdown passes top the previous mark of 16 set by Don Guidry in 1968. His 64.7 completion percentage topped the previous mark of 61.7 set by Brad Henderson in 2011. Adkins had two 300-yard games, including 331 against Southern in his second game and a season-high 333 in a 40-27 win against Stephen F. Austin in the season finale. He threw three touchdowns in a game four times and completed at least one touchdown pass in his final six games of the year.

Of Southeastern’s 14 total selections, eight landed spots on the first team and six earned second-team laurels. Bennett and Hubert earned first-team mention and were joined on that unit by offensive linemen Gasten Gabriel and Marshall Paris, placekicker Seth Sebastian, defensive back Harlan Miller and Xavier Roberson, who earned first-team spots as the offensive all-purpose player and kick return specialist. The Lions’ second-team honorees include running back Rasheed Harrell, receiver Tony McCrea, defensive lineman Jacob Newman, linebacker Isiah Corbett, defensive back Theo Alexander and punter Matt McCormick.

McNeese State and Sam Houston each placed 11 players on the first and second teams.

McNeese had seven first-team and four second-team selections. Joining Agada, the offensive lineman of the year, and Wiltz on the first team are tight end Nic Jacobs, receiver Diontae Spencer, offensive lineman Antoine Everett, defensive lineman Everett Ellefsen and defensive back Guy Morgan. The Cowboys’ second-team selections include placekicker Ryan Rome, linebacker Bo Brown and defensive back Aaron Sam. Spencer also was named to the second team as the kick return specialist.

Sam Houston had six first-team selections and five second-team selections. Running back Timothy Flanders, also a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, becomes just the sixth player in conference history to be named a four-time first-team selection. He is joined on the squad by offensive lineman Donald Jackson, linebacker Eric Fieilo, defensive back Bookie Sneed and Torrance Williams, who earned first-team honors at both receiver and punt return specialist. The Bearkats’ second-team honorees include quarterback Brian Bell, all-purpose player Richard Sincere, defensive linemen Andrew Weaver and Jarrett Brown and defensive back Mike Wade.

Central Arkansas had eight all-conference selections, including first-team honorees defensive linemen Jonathan Woodard and Markeith Gaines, linebacker Justin Heard and defensive back Marcus Peters. Of Lamar’s six all-conference picks, three earned first-team mention, including defensive lineman Jesse Dickson, defensive back Tyrus McGlothen and punter Kollin Kahler.

Northwestern State was next with four all-conference selections, all of whom were named to the second team. Nicholls and Stephen F. Austin each had two all-conference players. Lumberjack receiver Michael Brooks was named to the first team, while both Colonels earned second-team kudos.

There are 14 student-athletes who have been named to the all-conference teams previously, highlighted by Flanders, a four-time honoree. Three Bearkats find themselves on the all-conference teams for a third time including Bell, Sincere and defensive back Bookie Sneed. Two-time honorees include Wiltz and Agada from McNeese, Gabriel and Roberson from Southeastern, Dickson from Lamar and offensive linemen Dominique Allen and Cole Caruthers from Central Arkansas. A total of 53 student-athletes earned honorable mention all-conference honors. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from at least 25 percent of all voters.

The all-conference teams are comprised of 29 first-team and second-team members. Each coach nominates players from his own team. The teams are selected by vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own players.

2013 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners

Player of the Year: Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana (QB)

Offensive Player of the Year: Cody Stroud, McNeese State (QB)

Defensive Player of the Year: Cqulin Hubert, Southeastern Louisiana (LB)

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Arinze Agada, McNeese State (RG)

Freshman of the Year: Kade Harrington, Lamar (RB)

Newcomer of the Year: Zach Adkins, Northwestern State (QB)

Coach of the Year: Ron Roberts, Southeastern La.

2013 All-Southland Conference Football Teams

First-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Bryan Bennett	Southeastern La.	6-3	205	Jr.	Granada Hills, Calif.
RB	Marcus Wiltz²	McNeese State	5-9	192	Sr.	Cecilia, La.
RB	Timothy Flanders⁴	Sam Houston State	5-9	210	Sr.	Midwest City, Okla.
TE/HB	Nic Jacobs	McNeese State	6-5	260	Jr.	Many, La.
WR	Torrance Williams	Sam Houston State	5-8	170	Sr.	Waco, Texas
WR	Diontae Spencer	McNeese State	5-9	161	Sr.	New Iberia, La.
WR	Michael Brooks	Stephen F. Austin	5-9	175	Sr.	Irving, Texas
OL	Arinze Agada²	McNeese State	6-1	286	Sr.	Houston, Texas
OL	Antoine Everett	McNeese State	6-3	304	Jr.	Richmond, Texas
OL	Gasten Gabriel²	Southeastern La.	6-5	310	Sr.	Jackson, La.
OL	Marshall Paris	Southeastern La.	6-2	295	Sr.	Lake Charles, La.
OL	Donald Jackson	Sam Houston State	6-2	270	So.	Kilgore, Texas
AP	Xavier Roberson²	Southeastern La.	5-9	170	So.	Atlanta, Ga.
PK	Seth Sebastian	Southeastern La.	5-10	180	Sr.	Lafayette, La.

First-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	Jesse Dickson²	Lamar	6-3	265	Sr.	Houston, Texas
DL	Jonathan Woodard²	Central Arkansas	6-6	271	So.	Brentwood, Tenn.
DL	Everett Ellefsen²	McNeese State	6-3	230	Jr.	Madisonville, La.
DL	Markeith Gaines	Central Arkansas	6-0	265	Sr.	Theodore, Ala.
LB	Justin Heard	Central Arkansas	6-1	230	Sr.	Woodland, Ala.
LB	Cqulin Hubert	Southeastern La.	6-1	250	Sr.	Houston, Texas
LB	Eric Fieilo	Sam Houston State	5-11	226	Sr.	Euless, Texas
DB	Bookie Sneed³	Sam Houston State	6-0	180	Sr.	Conroe, Texas
DB	Guy Morgan	McNeese State	6-0	188	Sr.	Baton Rouge, La.
DB	Marcus Peters	Central Arkansas	6-2	204	Sr.	Daingerfield, Texas
DB	Tyrus McGlothen	Lamar	5-8	175	Sr.	Grand Prairie, Texas
DB	Harlan Miller	Southeastern La.	6-0	170	So.	Kentwood, La.
P	Kollin Kahler	Lamar	6-2	200	Sr.	Waco, Texas
KR	Xavier Roberson	Southeastern La.	5-9	170	So.	Atlanta, Ga.
PR	Torrance Williams	Sam Houston State	5-8	170	Sr.	Waco, Texas

Second-Team Offense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
QB	Brian Bell³	Sam Houston State	6-2	175	Jr.	China Spring, Texas
RB	Gus Johnson²	Stephen F. Austin	5-10	215	Jr.	Gilmer, Texas
RB	Rasheed Harrell	Southeastern La.	5-10	185	So.	Miami, Fla.
TE/HB	Chase Dixon	Central Arkansas	6-5	239	Sr.	Fort Smith, Ark.
WR	Reggie Begelton	Lamar	6-0	190	So.	Beaumont, Texas
WR	Dezmin Lewis	Central Arkansas	6-4	212	Jr.	Mesquite, Texas
WR	Tony McCrea	Southeastern La.	5-10	175	Sr.	Irwinton, Ga.
OL	Warren Jones	Northwestern State	6-1	326	Sr.	Macon, Miss.
OL	Dominique Allen²	Central Arkansas	6-3	295	Sr.	Houston, Texas
OL	Cole Caruthers²	Central Arkansas	6-4	292	Jr.	Sugar Land, Texas
OL	Kyle Gillam	Lamar	6-1	270	Sr.	Lumberton, Texas
OL	Abasi Salimu	Nicholls	6-5	290	Sr.	Los Angeles, Calif.
AP	Richard Sincere³	Sam Houston State	5-10	193	Sr.	Galveston, Texas
PK	Ryan Rome	McNeese State	5-10	170	Sr.	Destrahan, La.

Second-Team Defense
Pos.	Name	University	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown
DL	Jacob Newman	Southeastern La.	6-2	275	Jr.	Visalia, Calif.
DL	Andrew Weaver	Sam Houston State	6-1	240	Sr.	Waco, Texas
DL	Lesley Deamer	Northwestern State	6-3	304	Sr.	Amite, La.
DL	Jarrett Brown	Sam Houston State	6-3	265	Sr.	Arlington, Texas
LB	Pat Black	Northwestern State	6-0	209	Sr.	Jackson, Miss.
LB	Isiah Corbett	Southeastern La.	6-3	250	Jr.	Belle Glade, Fla.
LB	Bo Brown	McNeese State	6-1	210	So.	Katy, Texas
DB	Imoan Claiborne	Northwestern State	5-11	187	Jr.	Alexandria, La.
DB	Michael Wade	Sam Houston State	5-11	195	Jr.	Arp, Texas
DB	Theo Alexander	Southeastern La.	6-4	205	Sr.	St. Louis, Mo.
DB	Aaron Sam	McNeese State	5-11	176	Jr.	Lake Charles, La.
DB	Siegan Vergenal	Nicholls	6-0	205	Sr.	New Iberia, La.
P	Matt McCormick	Southeastern La.	6-0	200	Sr.	Covington, La.
KR	Diontae Spencer	McNeese State	5-9	161	Sr.	New Iberia, La.
PR	Kevin Johnson	Lamar	6-0	210	Jr.	Houston, Texas

² indicates two-time all-conference selection;
³ indicates three-time all-conference selection;
⁴ indicates four-time all-conference selection.

Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Cody Stroud, McNeese State; Caleb Berry, Lamar; Tuskani Figaro, Nicholls; Brady Attaway, Stephen F. Austin. Running Back: Kade Harrington, Lamar; Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State; Keshawn Hill, Sam Houston State. Tight End/H-Back: Jeremy Meyers, Southeastern La.; Tyler Boyd, Stephen F. Austin; Shane Young, Sam Houston State. Wide Receiver: Louis Hollier, Northwestern State; D.J. Ward, Stephen F. Austin; Jeff Smiley, Southeastern La.; Aaron Thomas, Stephen F. Austin; Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas; Erik Buchanan, Nicholls; Marquis Fruge’, Southeastern La. Offensive Linemen: Andrew Ratliff, Stephen F. Austin; Brandon DeWitt, Sam Houston State; Matt Boyles, Sam Houston State; Quentin Marsh, McNeese State; Joe Graves, Southeastern La.; Jonathan Braddock, Southeastern La.; Ryne Chambers, Stephen F. Austin; Nick Gorman, McNeese State; Tchissakid Player, Northwestern State; Bryan West, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive All-Purpose: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State. Defensive Linemen: Jeremy Williams, Southeastern La.; Kevin Dorn, McNeese State; Deon Simon, Northwestern State; Malcolm Mattox, Stephen F. Austin; T.J. Randall, Central Arkansas; JeMarcus Marshall, Northwestern State; Greg Triay, Southeastern La. Linebackers: Ortavious Hypolite, Stephen F. Austin; James Washington, Lamar; Chris Bermond, Nicholls; Justin Church, Southeastern La.; Tanner Brock, Sam Houston State. Defensive Back: De’Antrey Loche, Sam Houston State; Todd Washington, Southeastern La.; Tyler Stoddard, Southeastern La.; Marice Sutton, Southeastern La.; Jestin Love, Central Arkansas; Fred Thomas, Northwestern State; Chad Allen, Lamar; Terence Cahee, McNeese State. Placekicker: Jordan Wiggs, Stephen F. Austin. Punter: Nick Bruno, Stephen F. Austin; Jean Breaux, McNeese State. Kick Return Specialist: Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas. Punt Return Specialist: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State.